Haven't cleaned my chimney in 3 years. Yes, I check it before using it in the fall and a couple times through out the year. I KNOW the reason why I don't have creosote build up is burning ONLY dry oak. Usually cut 2 years before burning and covered so the wind can blow through and dry it out.
Right now I have next years, 2014-2015, wood cut split, and stored. Fresh cut logs are stacked and ready to cut and split for 2016 maybe into 2017. Always cut in the fall not the spring when the sap is running. If your burning fresh cut wood you will have problems. Especially if you have any pine mixed in.
Also helps to open up the furnace and burn out the chimney very couple days for and hour or so. This will burn out the creosote before it builds up to much. Keeping it shut down and burning slowly is another fire just waiting to start.
Right now I have next years, 2014-2015, wood cut split, and stored. Fresh cut logs are stacked and ready to cut and split for 2016 maybe into 2017. Always cut in the fall not the spring when the sap is running. If your burning fresh cut wood you will have problems. Especially if you have any pine mixed in.
Also helps to open up the furnace and burn out the chimney very couple days for and hour or so. This will burn out the creosote before it builds up to much. Keeping it shut down and burning slowly is another fire just waiting to start.
