sweep the chimney: what can be done with debris?

Hi,

I wasn't able to find anything about using the stuff that come out of the chimney. I was wondering if there was anything useful that can be done with it?

I'd probably add it to my compost or save it for throwing on icy walks and driveways.

If you're talking about chimney soot (creosote), I would just burn it in very small amounts in a smallish fire in a wood stove. It burns hot and intensely; burning large emounts can generate enough heat to damage a stove or stovepipe.

For other uses, I did a focused  search (duckduckgo) and the first two links that came up were from Permies!

https://permies.com/t/59311/creosote

https://permies.com/t/97689/Creosote

Yeah permies! So... how bad is it that I have always just thrown it in my ash pile?

Personally, I wouldn't put it in compost or food growing areas. I can't find much on wood creosote specifically, but creosotes in general don't appear to be particularly healthy. Ash/char is a different story, as long as you're mindful of the pH of your soil.

I think of wood creosote as energy to be utilized, carefully. For my money that's the best method of disposal.

Doug is right. Not the compost. I'll still stand by my de-icing use, though.

We always just leave it in the stove and burn it with the next fire. I've never noticed it getting too hot for the stove.

Jan White wrote:We always just leave it in the stove and burn it with the next fire. I've never noticed it getting too hot for the stove.

Good to know. I've swept other people's chimneys though and removed several gallons of creosote, which i think would be too much to burn in one go.