How often should I clean my fireplace when I burn pine for firewood?

Question

I live in a rural area and I have a ton of pine trees on my acreage. I have been told that pine is a very "sappy" wood and that it should be fine if I "burn seasoned wood that is cut properly" (asked my chimney sweep) and if I use caution. I know that you are suppose to clean your fireplace once a year, but do you need it more often when you burn pine? How often?

Answer 1

Pine is full of creosote. a tar like substance that can build up in your chimney. If you have a fire often you might need to clean more than once a year.

They sell a product that claims to cause the creosote to dry and flake off. It's a powder that you sprinkle on the fire. It comes in a 1 lb plastic tub. I've never used it so i can't tell you if it works.

Answer 2

Personally, I think a cord of hardwood would be cheaper than both cleaning the chimney every month, or replacing your burned down house.

Answer 3

i hear ur suppose to clean out your fire place

at least twice a year

Answer 4

For safety, you need to clean your chimney, not the fireplace. It should be done at least once per year. More if you burn softwoods (pine). All fireplaces burn differently. you should inspect the chimney with a bright light several times during the burning season. look for buildup.

Answer 5

You're supposed to sweep it every thirty uses and even then I've seen some flues get a heavy buildup. Particularly if your burning  a ton of it - I would sweep it often. Check to see when overall buildup is about a sixteeenth of an inch coating in the liner. That's all it takes to ignite the flue.