Steel brush vs. poly brush for clay flue tiles - I made the switch

I spent years using a steel brush on clay flue liners cause that's what my old boss used. Switched to a poly brush about 6 months ago after a job in Frederick where the steel brush kept snagging on rough spots. Way less scratching on the tiles and I actually get less soot buildup between cleanings now. Has anyone else noticed a difference with poly brushes on older flues?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor_fox1mo ago

3/8" was the standard size I used for years on clay liners, but when I switched to poly I found 1/2" works better for getting into the corners without gouging the tiles. The poly brush definitely cuts down on the scratching like you said, but I think you might be overselling the soot buildup thing a bit. Soot accumulation has more to do with how dry your wood is and how hot your fires burn than what kind of brush you use. If you're seeing less soot after switching, maybe you just finally got a good season of dry wood or started burning hotter.

mia_singh241mo ago

@taylor_fox might want to check if his steel brush is wearing down his flue tiles faster than he realizes.