What does a chimney cleaning log look like and how to choose it?

A fairly large number of country and private houses have such an obligatory element as a fireplace, which is connected to a chimney. It allows you to create comfort and coziness in the house, and also often performs the function of heating the room. But it should be understood that from time to time it is required to clean the chimney from soot in order to avoid clogging and reduce efficiency.

A rather interesting solution would be to use a special chemical agent - a chimney cleaning log. Let's try to figure out how such a device works, what advantages it has over other cleaning methods, and how to use it correctly.

If we talk about what a chimney cleaning log is, then, in fact, it is a small combustible log or a briquette formed from a number of chemicals. Usually, the composition of such logs for all manufacturers is almost identical, and consists of:

• sawdust;

• urea;

• coal wax;

• sodium salt;

• ammonium sulfate;

• silica.

Each of these components is environmentally friendly and does not create such problems for human health as allergies. But if such a log contains components such as phosphorus oxide and zinc chloride, then you should know that too high a concentration of them can cause problems with the mucous membrane of the eye, as well as the human skin.

A cleaning log is a good solution to get rid of plaque in the chimney. But it is unlikely to cope with strong carbon deposits.

On the domestic market, you can find products of several manufacturers of logs of this type, which, in principle, can be called the main ones. Moreover, their products are popular not only in our country, but throughout the CIS. At the same time, the efficiency of their products is approximately at the same level. If we talk about the price, then the cost of a briquette will vary in the range from 250 to 650 rubles, depending on the manufacturer.

Several brands can be named as the main manufacturers.

• Vortex. The cost of such a log is about 320 rubles. It does an excellent job of cleaning chimneys of stoves and fireplaces, and also reduces emissions based on creosote and prevents fires.

• "Chimney sweep" - 410 rubles. It will be the best solution for preventing pollution. The positive effect of using such a log is observed for several weeks.

• "Smoke" - about 500 rubles. It is usually used to prevent and cleanse deposits that are already in the chimney. It can also be used without the use of brushes for mechanical cleaning of the chimney.

• Hansa - 300 rubles;

• Flammifera - about 600 rubles. This briquette allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of heat transfer and reduces the possibility of soot ignition in the channels of the furnace or fireplace.

• Fire family - 300 rubles. It will be an excellent solution in preparation for mechanical chimney cleaning.

As you can see, most fixtures perform the same function. This makes it difficult to choose the best solution for a particular case. And here the reviews of those who have already used such devices can come to the rescue.

Based on reviews, the best device for cleaning chimneys of various types can be called "Chimney sweep" logs.

The only thing that buyers are advised to pay attention to before purchasing is an examination of the chimney for serious damage and deformation. If there are any, they need to be urgently eliminated in order to maximize the efficiency of the Chimney Sweep.

Besides, buyers in their reviews advise using protective gloves when working with the log so that the chemicals contained in the "Chimney Sweep" do not accidentally get on the skin. Of the negative aspects, users note an unpleasant odor that appears when the log burns out, and also the fact that the log cannot always eliminate very large and old soot deposits, and they also have to resort to mechanical cleaning.

Given that there are a fairly large number of such logs on the market for cleaning the chimney, an uninitiated person can simply get confused. The first thing to understand when choosing such a product is that they have a very limited scope of use. Their use is possible when cleaning from soot, as well as soot and soot in fireplaces and stoves where firewood or coal is burned. Only then the result of using the log will be really good.

In no case should they be used for heating devices that use electricity or natural gas for heating. To choose the right solution, you will need to carefully examine the inside of the chimney and assess the degree of how much it is clogged.

The moment is also important, how many logs must be used to clean the chimney. The calculation should be carried out depending on the complexity of the clogging, as well as the dimensions of the chimney itself. For example, for a complete cleaning of 1 chimney, which has standard dimensions and an average degree of soot, one log will be enough. If the system is wide, then a pair of cleaners should be used, which should be thrown in one by one.

Now let's look at exactly how you can apply the considered type of chimney cleaner. But you need to understand that you cannot just buy an artificial cleaner "Chimney sweep" or any other, and immediately throw it into the furnace. This is preceded by a certain preparatory process.

The procedure begins with the fact that you should thoroughly inspect the diverter mechanism for clogging with debris or other foreign elements. If a plug or blockage of the chimney is found, it is necessary to perform mechanical cleaning using a special brush. As an alternative to this brush, you can use a metal brush.

If it becomes necessary to carry out cleaning in the winter season, then this can be done exclusively from the inside of the dwelling. This procedure can be described as rather dirty and requires a lot of painstaking work. After it, ash, soot and fragments of various combustion products usually remain on the floor of the room.

In calm and warm weather, mechanical cleaning can also be performed through the roof. True, one should be as careful as possible, observe all the necessary safety requirements. And the best thing in this case would be to use the services of a professional who has extensive experience in carrying out work at height. This will ensure that this type of cleaning is done quickly and efficiently.

At the next stage, you can proceed directly to the use of the Chimney sweep log or any other brand. It needs to be put into the firebox. It is important that only 1 artificial log can be used at a time.

It should be placed on top of the firewood. The impact of fire from them will improve its performance and will significantly increase the efficiency. In the process of cleaning the chimney, it will completely burn out and leave behind only a little ash. For maximum effect, all manufacturer's recommendations regarding the use of this device should be followed.

• First, you need to get the artificial log out of the box. Moreover, the protective paper wrapper must remain intact and undamaged.

• Now you need to place a cleaning log in a heated firebox. As mentioned, it can be used alone or enhanced with dry wood.

• After that, you should carefully use a lighter or matches to set fire to a wrapper of a log made of paper from 2 sides. If it is used to clean the fireplace, then it will be necessary to install a special grate in front of the fire, which will perform a protective function. In the oven, you will need to cover the outer door flaps.

• After that, you need to wait until the bar burns out completely. Typically, this is 90 minutes for regular-sized logs, and 45-60 minutes for mini-logs.

• The ash that remains from the device does not need to be removed from the combustion chamber. The remaining combustion products should be in the fireplace or stove in the next week or two. You can use the fireplace or stove at this time as usual. But the final result of using a chimney cleaning log can only be obtained 13-16 days after using it.

An important point will be the fact that most of the devices in question, when used, emit a rather specific smell, which cannot be called pleasant. To remove it, it is required to ventilate the room as soon as possible after burning the log. This will be best done for 90-120 minutes.

If the use of one log did not completely get rid of the blockage, then the procedure can be repeated by using another device somewhere in 14-21 days.