Do creosote cleaning logs work?

Creosote cleaning logs (or chimney clean logs) are logs that can be used by homeowners to clear the buildup of creosote in chimneys. With frequent use of log burning fires, creosote will be deposited on the lining of the chimney, leading to a potential fire hazard. Chimney cleaning logs can be an effective way of maintaining your chimney between chimney sweeps

While some homeowner rely on these logs to clean their chimney it is important that these logs should be used in between proper chimney sweeps and not as the main cleaning of the chimney - only a professional clean will ensure proper safety. Other debris such as soot and ash will not be removed by these logs and therefore can potentially be a fire hazard.

When you burn a creosote cleaning log, chemicals are released and rise with the heat and is deposited on the cresosote - the chemicals break down the creosote so that it will fall as ash in subsequent fires.

Usually a log will only work on the outer layer of the creosote hence the need for a proper sweep at least once a year for fire that are frequently used.

There are some concerns about the use of creosote cleaning logs:

• It only removes the outer layer
• It does not remove soot or ash
• It does not diagnose other problelms with a chimney such as animal nests or structure problems.
• It does not solve ventelation problems

However, if they are used occasionally in between thorough chimney sweeps then it is thought they can be effective.

While they will not fully clean your chimney these logs can help reduce the risk of fires between chimney sweeps. It's very hard to really tell if they are effective, but generally it is recognised that they assist in the removal of some creosote but should not replace a thorough chimney sweep.

The other consideration is that these chimney cleaning logs only work on creosote so other buildup such as ash and soot will remain in your chimney and thus can still be a fire hazard.