Just did my February chimney cleaning. It was actually pretty clean. I usually do it in August to prepare for burning season, then halfway through. This time I had the least amount of creasote that I have ever had. Most other times it was almost double what is in the picture. Seasoned wood really does pay off.
About 3 years ago I started doing the same. I purchased a moisture meter about the same time. The Jotul F500 and my chimney are much happier with 15% ish moisture wood. This forum is a great asset too. I thought a years worth of time was plenty for oak, found out the hard way, it takes more time in the bigger splits I was burning. My splits now are smaller and everything is a minimum of 2years in the woodpile, sometimes more.
Never hurts to be safe. I was up on the roof awhile back and it did not warrant a brush, as you said dry wood helps.
