Stove pipe / chimney sweep tool preference?

Hi Folks,

After paying $265 for a chimney sweep to clean our stove pipe, I thought about doing my own, so I searched for tools (like ya do). I found SootEater and Flexi Chimney Rods, along others. They each seem to believe they are the best and the only.

Those of you who clean your own:
What tool do you use, what do you like about it and what would you change?

Thanks, again.
Sean

 

I use a fiberglass rods and a nylon brush. I take off the slip pipe that connects my stove to the ceiling adapter and clean from the bottom. It is what I have and I am not sure it is any better than any other method.

 

Fiberglass rods and a brush from the roof. Probly not the best solution but it works for me.

 

I used to use a standard chimney brush and rods...then switched to the Soot Eater some years back, I like it, I think it does a better job than the brush.

 

Soot water here as well. Pleased with the job it does, and no need to get on the roof.

 

I use the soot eater from the bottom up. It does a great job. You can concentrate on a area with the soot eater. The last top 4’ of my chimney is always the worse. With my old nylon brush I would have to pull it the full length for the bristles to change direction.

 

I tie a bit of mule tape (polyester cable pulling cord) but any good rope would do onto a pant leg stuffed with golf balls. Drop it down the chimney and pull it up and down a few times. It is not abrasive and lets old jeans have a new life. Wire ties on the ends keep the golf balls in their place.

 

I have the soot eater also and do mine from the roof down. I always shine a flash light down the pipe when done to see how it looks. Always nice shiny metal. It has paid for itself.

 

In the past I used a chunk of chain on paracord from the roof, but after a fall I am planning on using this from the bottom. We shall see if it works well.

 

Same here. I use a nylon brush since I've got a SS liner

 

I bought a sooteater right after I had my insert installed. Still using it to clean from the bottom up 9 years later. No need for me to go on the roof and it takes hardly any time at all. Can do it in any weather or after dark. I've come home at 11pm and cleaned my liner.

 

Thanks all.

Just had the new stove installed yesterday and made sure that the flue would be accessible for cleaning. Looks like a soot eater is in my future.

 

+1 on soot eater. I needed two kits to get through the pipe on my lower level. It has two 45 degree bends in it and the soot eater took it in stride. I couldn’t get a standard fiberglass rod through the bends.

 

Welp, looks like Ima ordering a soot eater so I have it before I need it.

Again, Thank You All.

Sean

 

Is it the Gardus brand?

 

Yes, I think that Gardus is the company that makes the SootEater. They come in the original black pole and the newer white pole. The white pole is more flexible and so, can get through bends better. That’s what I ordered.

 

You got a white pole kit? I heard they used to have those, but was of the understanding they were no longer made (except for the dryer vent cleaner kit) EDIT: Huh...yeah I see the white ones now. I would say no need to spend the extra money on those unless you have a situation where you need to go through a 90* turn...the black poles do fine on 45*s.
Yes, made by Gardus...a HY-C company.

 

I just bought a soot eater and it looks like the golden ticket. blacktail summed up my thinking pretty well.

 

Yes. Mine has the black rods.