The three stages of creosote, and which one is dangerous
Not all creosote is equal. Stage one brushes off; stage three is fuel welded to your flue. Here is how to tell them apart from the hearth.
Category Maintenance & sweeping
How often to sweep, what buildup means, and how burning habits change the answer.
How to tell if your chimney actually needs sweeping
Annual sweeping is a rule of thumb, not a rule. Here is how to judge whether your chimney is actually due, using what you can see from the firebox.