Chimney Scrubber Home Owner Use

Our cast iron and stainless steel Chimney Scrubber system operates via a pulley with stainless steel chain that you pull from the convenience and safety of your chimney's clean-out door.

The Chimney Scrubber installs easily and stays in place, ready to use year round. The patented chimney brush molds itself to the inside of your flue and scrubs off dangerous soot and creosote. Just pull one side of the chain to scrub to the top of your chimney - then back down - and your done!

Maintain peak performance of your wood stove or furnace by removing creosote buildup in your chimney - in just minutes!

Installation of the Chimney Scrubber

Take a Closer Look

Home Owner's Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Measure My Chimney?

We need the inside or outside dimensions of the chimney and approximate height. Both are simple to measure. Most chimneys have a clean out door at or near the bottom of the chimney. Open the door and measure side to side, then front to back. For height, you do not have to go on the roof, just figure it floor by floor and add them up (remember to add a foot for the joists between floors).


EXAMPLE: Two Story Center Chimney Cape

Do You Install the Chimney Scrubber for Me?

No and Yes. Installation is so easy but someone does have to go to the top of the chimney to install the pulley. Some fire departments do this for a training exercise. Be sure to make a donation if they honor your request. I have a few fireman that install the systems on weekends. They charge between $50 and $150 depending on the distance they have to travel and the amount of time it takes to get to the rooftop. If neither of these options is to your liking, I suggest calling a "handyman" out of the local paper.

Does the Pulley Need Greasing or Other Maintenance?

No, the wheel center hole is 5/8" and the bar going through it is only ½". The gap gives it "slop" that loosens every time you use the system, so the only way to have difficulty is to not use the system.

Can I Use on a Stainless Steel Chimney?

YES, but ONLY if it is a DOUBLE walled (the insulated type). Single walled stainless steel liners (straight or flexible) are not strong enough to support the Chimney Scrubber system.

I Have a Cap on My Chimney. How Do I Use the Chimney Scrubber?

The Chimney Scrubber adapts to all caps. Usually it can fit under the cap, stick out the sides of the cap or poke through the spark arrester. You can always cut the crossbar if needed.

How Well Does the System Work?

Much better than any other brush we know of. Many, many customers report that they were amazed by how much more creosote the Chimney Scrubber scrubbed off even when they cleaned the chimney before its arrival. 

How Long Will the Chain Last?

The chain is stainless steel and should last decades along with the brush and pulley. Original prototypes installed in 1979 are still working.

Do I Have to Install the Chimney Scrubber Every Time I Use It?

No, you do not have to install the Chimney Scrubber with each use. It is a permanent installation that stays in place ready to use without notice. Because it is held in place by its own weight it can also be easily removed and taken with you if you relocate to another home.

What Shipping Method Do You Use?

All shipping is processed via FedEx Ground to physical addresses only.

I Don't See the Size I Need. Can You Make It?

The most common size flue is 8"x8" on the outside and 6.5"x6.5" on the inside. Second is 8"x12" on the outside and 6.5"x10.5" on the inside. Next are the rounds 7.5" on the outside and 6"on the inside or 8.5" on the outside and 7" on the inside.

We can make a brush to fit any size flue just by changing the size of the scrubbers.

Does the Brush Lie in the Bottom?

No, the brush hangs just above the clean-out door via the stainless steel keyring through the side of the chain that goes through the brush.

Does the System Get 'Glaze' Off?

With repetitive scrubbings the Chimney Scrubber will take it off.

How Often Should I Clean the Chimney?

Everyone's chimney accumulates creosote at different rates because there are so many variables:

  1. Moisture Content of Wood - needs to be 20% or less
  2. Burning Habits of the User  - if you "damper down" too early or for long periods you are going to create more creosote because the flue gases will be moving slowly.
  3. Efficiency of the Wood Stove  - some appliances have secondary burns and some have air leaks.
  4. Drafting of the Chimney - sometimes chimneys do not pull air out well. This is either because the flue is too large, the chimney is too short or there is an exterior impediment to a good draft.

As a note, State Fire Marshalls recommend cleaning every two weeks.

Is the System Effected by Slants in the Chimney?

No. The brush is like a big link in a continuous loop of chain, so it "goes where it is towed". 

Can I Use the Chimney Scrubber While the Stove is Burning?

Yes you can, however, we advise wearing gloves because the chain is going to be hot in places.

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Using the Chimney Scrubber

1. SAFETY

Creosote forms very easily in your chimney, especially in the fall and spring when fires are slower burning. State Fire Marshalls recommend cleaning every two weeks.

2. BETTER OPERATION

A clean chimney makes for better drafting. Better drafting means that you will be able to operate your stove at its maximum performance levels.

3. LESS DOWNDRAFTS

A clean chimney will pull smoke with greater velocity reducing the chance of downdrafts.

4. CHIMNEY FIRES ARE EXPENSIVE

Even if the fire department puts the fire out you may have an expensive cleanup or worse, chimney replacement.

5. INDOOR AIR QUALITY

A cleaner chimney means less particulates will enter into your living space.

10 Reasons Why You Should Be Using the Chimney Scrubber

1. SAFETY

Creosote forms very easily in your chimney, especially in the fall and spring when fires are slower burning. State Fire Marshalls recommend cleaning every two weeks.

2. BETTER OPERATION

A clean chimney makes for better drafting. Better drafting means that you will be able to operate your stove at its maximum performance levels.

3. LESS DOWNDRAFTS

A clean chimney will pull smoke with greater velocity reducing the chance of downdrafts.

4. CHIMNEY FIRES ARE EXPENSIVE

Even if the fire department puts the fire out you may have an expensive cleanup or worse, chimney replacement.

5. INDOOR AIR QUALITY

A cleaner chimney means less particulates will enter into your living space.

6. EXTERIOR CHIMNEYS

Exterior chimneys produce creosote faster because three sides of the chimney is constantly cold.

7. GREEN WOOD

Burning green wood accumulates creosote faster than dry wood. Make sure your wood is dried for one year or more and has less than a 20% moisture content before burning.

8. COLD WEATHER

Creosote forms most rapidly when the burn rate is slower. Chimney fires occur most often on the coldest days when the burn rate is faster thus igniting existing creosote more easily.

9. YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT

Your fire department is most likely your neighbor, too.  Be mindful of your home's safety so that you won't have to call them out to your home in the cold onto a slippery roof.

10. YOUR NEIGHBORS

Neighbors who burn wood will wish they had your foresight when they struggle, as most everyone does, to clean their chimney.

6. EXTERIOR CHIMNEYS

Exterior chimneys produce creosote faster because three sides of the chimney is constantly cold.

7. GREEN WOOD

Burning green wood accumulates creosote faster than dry wood. Make sure your wood is dried for one year or more and has less than a 20% moisture content before burning.

8. COLD WEATHER

Creosote forms most rapidly when the burn rate is slower. Chimney fires occur most often on the coldest days when the burn rate is faster thus igniting existing creosote more easily.

9. YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT

Your fire department is most likely your neighbor, too.  Be mindful of your home's safety so that you won't have to call them out to your home in the cold onto a slippery roof.

10. YOUR NEIGHBORS

Neighbors who burn wood will wish they had your foresight when they struggle, as most everyone does, to clean their chimney.