Creosote Sweeping Log The Creosote Sweeping Log (CSL) with Bonus Ignite-O Fire Starter - Chimney Cleaner for Fireplaces and Woodstoves - Non-Toxic and Easy Cleaning Firelog

Why I reached for this log

I heat with a wood stove most nights in winter, so creosote is always on my mind. Regular sweeping is non-negotiable, but in the weeks between appointments—and especially during a stretch of low, slow burns—I like having a way to keep deposits from getting sticky and stubborn. That’s what led me to the Creosote Sweeping Log. It promises a simple, burn-it-and-forget-it treatment that dries and helps neutralize residue over about two weeks. I ran it through both an open fireplace and a steel stove connected to a lined masonry chimney to see what it actually does.

What it is and how it’s supposed to work

This is a single-use log that you burn like a standard firelog for roughly 90 minutes. The claim is a dual-action formula: it treats existing creosote by drying and conditioning it so it becomes brittle, and it helps minimize new buildup for a short period (about 1–2 weeks). It’s non-toxic and labeled safe for all wood-burning appliances. The packaging recommends using one about every 60 fires. The box I used included a small Ignite-O fire starter, which is a nice touch for getting it going without fuss.

To be clear, this isn’t a scrubber in a stick—there’s no physical scouring. The payoff comes later: deposits should either loosen and fall into the firebox or brush out more easily.

Setup, ignition, and burn behavior

I tested the log in two scenarios:

• Open fireplace with a clean, warmed flue.
• EPA-rated steel stove with a 6-inch stainless liner, after a week of low-output burns.

In both cases, I followed the simplest approach: damper open, decent draft established with a brief warm-up fire, then the log placed on the grate (or on a small bed of coals in the stove). The included fire starter lit it quickly. I saw consistent flames within a minute or two.

Burn time was close to the stated 90 minutes in the fireplace and a little shorter in the stove (about 75–80 minutes), which I suspect was due to air controls and a tighter firebox. When I restricted airflow too much in the stove on a second run, the log sagged and struggled, then went out early. With the air wide open and a strong draft, it burned fully and evenly. If you have a finicky chimney, crack a nearby window slightly and run full air during the treatment burn; it makes a difference.

Odor was minimal and not chemical; it smelled like a normal manufactured firelog. There was no excessive smoke, though I did get a bit of gray film on the stove glass—normal and gone next fire.

What changed in the chimney

The advertised “two-week” effect matched my experience. I didn’t see dramatic flakes the next morning. Instead, over the following 10–14 days of regular fires, a few things happened:

• The light, fluffy soot near the cap and upper liner got drier and more powdery.
• The thin, shiny bands in the mid-liner (classic early-stage creosote) lost their sheen and became matte and brittle.
• Small chips and crumbs appeared in the firebox on a couple of occasions—nothing dramatic, but enough to notice.

The practical test was brushing. Two weeks after the burn, I ran my regular poly brush from the top down. The brush moved with less resistance through the mid-sections, and what came down was mostly dry, brown-black powder rather than sticky flecks. In the fireplace flue, I saw a few thumbnail-size flakes that I don’t usually get without a hot sweep. That’s the kind of change that actually matters: when the residue turns crumbly, you can remove more with less effort, and it’s less likely to cling and glaze.

It won’t convert deeply glazed, tarry deposits (stage 3 creosote) into dust—that’s wishful thinking for any chemical log. But for normal, early deposits and the beginnings of glaze in cooler sections, it made my sweep easier and my liner visibly cleaner.

Safety and expectations

A few practical notes after using it multiple times:

• Keep the damper fully open during the burn and stay nearby. The log burns like a calm fire, but falling chips later in the treatment window can be a surprise. Keep a screen closed on open fireplaces.
• Expect some debris in the firebox in the following days. Lay down a hearth cloth or plan a quick vacuum.
• This is a maintenance tool, not a substitute for a chimney sweep. I wouldn’t skip a professional cleaning because I burned one. I’d use it between cleanings or after stretches of low-temperature burning to keep things manageable.

Where it excels

• Wood stoves with lined chimneys, especially those that see a lot of low and slow burns.
• Open fireplaces where you want an easy, set-and-forget treatment.
• Homes that can’t always run hot, clean fires due to shoulder-season weather or softwood fuel.

The non-toxic formulation is important to me. I didn’t notice any harsh chemical odor during or after the burn, and I saw no residue issues on stove baffles or catalysts. I didn’t run it through a catalytic combustor during the active burn (I bypassed), and I recommend the same: treat with the bypass open so the log’s vapors go straight up the flue.

Limitations and small frustrations

• It’s sensitive to airflow. Starve it and it may under-burn or go out early. Open your air controls and ensure a decent draft.
• It’s not magic. Very heavy or glazed deposits still need mechanical removal, sometimes with specialized brushes or professional tools.
• The results are delayed by design. Don’t expect a clean flue the next morning; give it the full 1–2 weeks and then sweep or inspect.

Value

As a single-use maintenance aid, the price per log is reasonable, especially compared to the cost of an extra, unscheduled sweep. I’d still budget for regular professional cleanings, but using one of these every 60 fires is a cost-effective way to keep deposits mild and reduce the risk of a mid-season callout. The included fire starter is a small bonus that makes lighting foolproof.

Tips for best results

• Warm the flue first with a brief kindling fire to establish draft.
• Burn the log with maximum airflow; don’t throttle it.
• Plan a sweep or at least a visual inspection within two weeks.
• Keep the firebox tidy; remove any fallen chips promptly.
• Use on a schedule—about every 60 fires is a useful rule of thumb.

Pros and cons

Pros
- Makes early-stage creosote brittle and easier to sweep
- Simple, 90-minute, set-and-forget use
- Non-toxic; no harsh odor in my tests
- Ongoing effect over 1–2 weeks, with visible improvement
- Good value as a maintenance tool between cleanings

Cons
- Airflow-sensitive; can underperform in weak draft conditions
- Not a cure for heavy, glazed deposits
- Some mess in the firebox as conditioned flakes fall

Recommendation

I recommend the Creosote Sweeping Log as a practical maintenance aid for anyone running a wood stove or fireplace regularly. It won’t replace a brush and a professional sweep, and it shouldn’t—mechanical cleaning is still essential. But in my testing, the log did exactly what it claims: it conditioned existing deposits so they turned dry and crumbly, which made the next sweep faster and more effective. Used every 60 fires or so, with good burn practices and proper airflow, it’s an easy, non-toxic way to keep creosote in check between cleanings and reduce the likelihood of trouble building up out of sight.