Yes, thats how I understand they work, I don’t think they make resin build ups less flammable though and you need to get the brushes out soon after burning to clear the flue, otherwise more will eventually build up. I think they may be a bit agressive from a chemical point, acidic/caustic not sure but better to give it all a sweep out.
@BruceW Thats probably because your new flue is drawing much better producing more heat means increased gas velocity in the flue and thus less deposits.
I seem to remember back in the late 50s or early 60s when I was living at home with my parents, that they used to put some sort of powder onto the burning coal of an open fire to “clean” the chimney. I believe it was quite a common thing to do at the time. Cannot remember the name of it but “Witch” something rings a bell.
Rock salt, possibly?
That’s it, they turn the sticky tar into a brittle powdery deposit that either falls off, or is easily brushed off. If the flue is very dirty it sometimes results in chunks falling off and building up in the grate.
I would certainly hope not! A steel lined flue wouldn’t last long.
Think most chimneys were brick lined back then.
I think so but it was a long time ago
Whats in it?
Found this on Google
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/flue-chimney-cleaning-chemicals-47263.html
From the colour I’d imagine some copper sulphate amongst other things!
I’ve seen various comments on the newer ones perhaps containing magnesium and phosphate compounds.
Nice and environmentally friendly then!
‘Every little helps’ as Tesco would say (or is it another supermarket) 
On the question of what to burn in a wood burner/multi-fuel stove searches often turn up lists of things not to burn (including some stupidly obvious ones such as plastic party cups).
Damp wood, treated/painted wood is an obvious one. MDF/chipboard is deemed bad as they are treated with chemicals and/or binders.
Christmas trees are mentioned due to high resin content and risk of chimney fires (though would one tree once a year be a significant danger?).
They often recommend that cardboard isn’t used due to compounds used to treat it.
Like you I’ve often burned the cardboard delivery boxes from Amazon as it’s plain cardboard, now I’m not so sure. I try my best to strip off the fibre reinforced tape from the boxes as I suspect it contains plastic fibres/elements.
Coloured/glossy card and papers I rarely burn as you can see they don’t really break down as they burn and must release potentially harmful compounds.
The reality I suspect is that the majority of people use their burners as incinerators for all manner of things without thinking/knowing of the consequences.
We discussed this earlier and I think camphuw made a good point that it may be relatively lower risk to burn certain things if you’re in the country rather than a city with a higher density of wood/multifuel stoves.
For multi-fuel stoves all these HETAS approved low or smokeless ‘briquette’ type fuels are often advocated over certain natural but more harmful coal products, but if you look at the datsheets for many of the fuels the variety of binders used for the coal dust makes me wonder. I’m also constantly amazed that many of these products come damp/wet inside their bags - surely burning damp coal briquettes can’t be a good idea.
Yes, Amazon packaging without the tape and package slip holders is ideal, the brown paper sometimes used inside is also very good too.
I also avoid burning coloured and glossy stuff, that too coats the flue with unpleasant stuff as well as potentially harmful fumes.
My best method to light our woodburner is to put two smallish logs in front and rear with a gap, fill the gap with sufficient paper, then lay some small ~ 30mm split Ash sticks and finally another small log on top, usually starts well.
Sub-topic - disposal of ash!
If it’s subjectively 99% logs/kindling and low volume I might use some in the garden (or to clean the glass).
While logs are high output they seem for me to burn too quickly, so on colder days I tend to now use a combination of smokeless briquettes (EcoCoal50 are excellent) and peat briquettes with occasional mixed bits of kindling/wood to really get it going when the heat has died but I have a lot of ash.
So well-seasoned/kiln-dried logs produce little ash but other fuels don’t (apart from compressed sawdust type things).
I therefore need to riddle and empty the ash pan once or twice a day especially for the coal briquettes.
2 Questions:
A) What do you empty your ash into especially if the fire is still going and they are hot
B) Do you use any kind of stove vacuum when it’s cold to get ash from hard to clean areas -the LIDL ‘bargain’ stove hoover for £30 a few months ago is fine as a basic hoover to get little bits of wood/dust/peat up but for fine ash it’s useless and the filter clogs straight away - wish I’d listened to older reviews!
Usually the compost bin or straight on top of the flower beds. Don’t use a vacuum.
On another note I see fresh concerns raised over burning, both inside and outside. I think there might possibly be eventual legislation to phase out woodburning stoves out in built up areas.
I use a brush to clean out the stove when cold next morning before setting the stove ready for lighting again and scatter the ashes around the garden on/in the soil it’s improving the soil no end, we use wood and smokeless coal
You need a fire side set
Brush
Small shovel
Tongs
Poker
About 20 quid from aldi or lidel
I reckon the only reason for trying to ban or stop people using stoves is the government can’t tax the log sellers, it’s always wound them up since I’ve been old enough to read and the crap the government has spread about burning logs, peat or any other free to get thing you can burn
I was brought up in the countryside and as long as I can remember I’ve been collecting wood for the fire and I’m fine and in good health with no breathing problems what so ever and that’s as well as being a professional driver since I was 16 apparently thats bad for your health as well with all the road pollution
Ps it’s sounds a bit personal reading that back but isn’t meant to be
I used an Aldi stove vacuum, it lasted 4 years but finally gave up. I looked on Amazon and their reviews, and nothing seemed to be that good for reliability. Back to good old hand emptying into wheelie bin.
