Q: Jason – I bought a Fireplace Chimney Creosote Sweep Log. You burn it like another log and it is supposed to release fumes to loosen creosote in the chimney. Do those things really work? – FW

A: It would be unfair to say that the chimney sweep type logs make no difference in your fireplace chimney. They, in fact, make such a small difference that it is almost imperceivable. But they do have a very effective marketing strategy. I don’t recommend them as maintenance items for fireplace chimneys. The chimneysweep type logs tend to give a homeowner a false sense of proper maintenance on sweeping their chimney. Nothing beats a good old brush scrubbing and inspection. – Jason