PSA: I switched from a standard brush to a rotary whip system for a 40-foot flue in an old farmhouse.

The old owner swore by his hand brush, but after three hours of fighting soot pockets, I brought in my SootMaster 2000 and cleared the whole thing in 45 minutes. Honestly, if you're still doing tall, neglected chimneys by hand, you're just making the job harder for yourself. What's your go-to method for a flue that hasn't been touched in a decade?

3 comments

3 Comments

thomas2912mo ago

Wait, you spent three hours on a hand brush? That's insane!

emerychen2mo agoTop Commenter

Honestly thomas291, you clearly haven't seen the state of my grill grates. That thing was caked with last summer's burger crust. Three hours is what it takes when you actually care about the result, not just a quick wipe. Let's just say the before and after was a public health hazard turning into something you could eat off of. Next time you're over for a burger, you'll be thanking me for the dedication.

torres.jason1mo ago

Hold up, isnt this the same thing we see everywhere now? Everyone thinks "the old way" is automatically better just because it's old. Like my grandpa who insists on using a manual can opener when the electric one does it in five seconds. Same energy. People get weirdly attached to doing things the hard way, almost like the struggle gives it more value. But realistically, if a newer tool does the job faster and cleaner, why wouldn't you use it? It's like people who refuse to use GPS because maps are "more reliable" but then spend 20 minutes lost. You gotta be willing to adapt.