TESTING CHEMICAL CHIMNEY CLEANERS

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High temperatures, however, are not a cure—all for creosote problems, since an unusually hot fire will be the type most likely to ignite creosote and produce a chimney blaze. Lighting a small, intense fire once a day can be an effective way to reduce creosote formation, but doing so could also prove to be a dangerous practice unless one inspects the flue often enough to insure that no substantial (1/4" or more in thickness) deposit has formed.

In short, then, none of our test chimneys was rendered completely clean by either the chemical additives or by heat. A considerable amount of creosote always remained in the pipe until it was removed by brushing. It's entirely possible that, in spite of our negative findings, some chemical chimney cleaners do work in some cases. Although we believe that our selection of products and our testing conditions were representative, it was—of course—impossible for us to test all the available cleaners in all types of chimneys with all kinds of creosote.

However, even if some chemical chimney cleaners do sometimes work, it's evident that they don't always work ...both laboratory records and real-world experience prove the point. Therefore, it can be quite dangerous for anyone who uses a flue treatment compound to assume that it's working. Such complacency may well result !n less frequent inspection and/or cleaning ...which could result in a chimney fire. Frequent checking for creosote deposits and sweeping when necessary are still essential chores for anyone who heats with wood!

AUTHORS' NOTE: This research project was largely sponsored by Shelton Energy Research. We gratefully acknowledge partial support from Metalbestos Systems, and contributions of equipment from DuraVent Corporation and Oliver MacLeod, Ltd. (the manufacturer of ProJet chimney).

For copies of the complete 23—page report, send $10 per copy, plus $1.00 shipping and handling, to Shelton Energy Research, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 5235, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502.

Income from the sale of the report is used to defray the costs of this research and to fund ongoing consumer interest projects. For information on our numerous other publications, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the address above. 

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