What causes glazed creosote to accumulate?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as creosote-free wood burning. Creosote accumulation will occur no matter what kind of wood is burned and no matter what kind of wood burning system is used. What determines the type of creosote and its severity is how the fuel is burned. Solid fuel authorities agree that the amount of smoke, the temperature of the fire and the regulation of air (turbulence) are the major variables, which determine the amount of build-up. A low burning fire, for example, will result in incomplete combustion, the number one cause of glazed creosote accumulation. An improperly installed fireplace insert that allows the smoke to cool too quickly in the firebox is another situation, which causes severe glazing. To combat this problem, flue gases should be kept between 250 degrees and 500 degrees F. in order to reduce the rate of creosote accumulation. (Be sure to ask your chimney sweep about proven methods to assure correct burning.) If your chimney sweep has already d
