The best Fireplace & Stove Accessories: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

There's one to the right you can kind of see. It looks like Fire Bricks, you can get them through Amazon. Top layer appears to be held together/on with some sort of steel L shaped "rail".

Lucky me, the company that produces them is where I live, might have to see if I can get some direct!

I use THIS once a year to clean my dryer vent.

I use an 18v Makita cordless drill to power it. My vent is long, I actually have two of the kits linked above to make it all the way outside. I also have a 12v DeWalt drill, but it doesn't have the guts to spin the brushes.

After doing that, then I do two things to my dryer, which is a Speed Queen:

1. Run the vacuum as far up the dryer's exhaust vent as I can.

2. Take the bottom panel off the front of the dryer and vacuum the entire interior.

Generally speaking, the time a load takes to dry decreases by nearly 5 minutes after doing this each year.

This is definitely something an average homeowner can do. It is also, arguably, one of the most important fire safety measures you can take, outside of having smoke detectors.

This is a millivolt switch! No power to run anything other than the valve.

You need something like https://www.amazon.com/Durablow-Fireplace-Compatible-Programmable-SH3001/dp/B07DDCL8P5

or some swithmate, switchbot that goes over the switch.... Or something that does not require much power or independent power supply:

Anything standard: Shelly, Tuya, Lutron, etc will NOT work.

Can I bug you for your opinion on the chimney cleaners that you hook to a drill? Amazon link if you don't know what I'm talking about. I tried it and got nothing out, but I also only have fires a handful of times a year and there was no obvious buildup in the lower part that I could see. Masonry chimney btw.

If you can reach your ducts get this and do it yourself for a lot less. Purchased this last year and worked like a charm. Took about 20 minutes going back and forth to get all the dust, lint, etc out. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SQYX2FH

Holikme 30 Feet Dryer Vent Cleaning Brush, Lint Remover,Fireplace Chimney Brushes, Extends Up to 30 Feet, Synthetic Brush Head, Use with or Without a Power Drill https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYX2FH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_B1BJFP0S1385PNWF0FGF

You can buy the attachment and do it yourself for 20$ if you have a drill

If you want hard brick, its on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Products-604-Fire-Brick/dp/B000UEYZ4S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500563383&sr=8-1&keywords=fire+brick

For Soft brick, maybe this one: https://www.amazon.com/EuroTool-Fire-Brick-SOL-485-00/dp/B012C5ZIAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500563409&sr=8-1&keywords=soft+fire+brick

Yes, that too.

Looking at the picture, it looks like there is a screw into the side of the exhaust vent, which you're not supposed to do (you're supposed to use tape). Lint gets caught on the screw causing the ducts to clog.

You need a dryer vent brush (like this https://www.amazon.com/Holikme-Cleaning-Remover-Fireplace-Synthetic/dp/B07SQYX2FH) to clean it. Landlord should do that. Then the screw should be removed and it should be replaced with tape. The total vent length should also be less than 35 ft.

It’s something like this. Holikme 30 Feet Dryer Vent Cleaning Brush, Lint Remover,Fireplace Chimney Brushes, Extends Up to 30 Feet, Synthetic Brush Head, Use with or Without a Power Drill https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07SQYX2FH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_PR4M7ENWB633T96F1HFQ

I just bought one of these.

It was surprisingly impressive. I attached it to a drill and it took about an hour, you know, having to move the dryer and take off the flexihose. My vent is about 10 feet long with 2 90° angles. I ran it through a couple of times and took out enough to fill a shopping bag.

May not be the ideal time - but have you considered just doing it yourself? Obviously I don't know your setup, but a simple chimney cleaner can start at under $50. I used this one on mine and it was super simple.

Detach pipe at stove. Put bucket under pipe. Climb on roof, remove chimney cap. Insert cleaner down pipe, attached drill. Brrrrt. Reverse steps. Toss out contents of bucket.

*My stove has a cat. If you're doesn't and the pipe just goes straight from the ceiling to stove floor, you can just stuff a bucket in there and not have to detach any pipe.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010H5JXA

Here you go! Just add as many sections as you need. Make sure you never use the tool with the drill in reverse. Always set it to tighten. Otherwise you’re gonna be looking for the tool in your wall.

I ended up attaching it to a drier cleaning pole to give it a bit more stability, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Holikme-Cleaning-Remover-Fireplace-Synthetic/dp/B07SQYX2FH/

Very nice. Amazing deal. Put some of that money you saved towards one of these. The chimney is the worst part about an egg and this is a must-have upgrade, IMHO.

How long is your dryer vent - my dryer is right up against an outside wall, I can reach my hand through the whole vent and grab anything out of there that may build up. No need for a professional.

On another house with a slightly longer dryer vent, i used a vent cleaner that hooks to a drill. Did the trick just fine.

Example

eeek yeah 50$ CAD on amazon and reviews look really good https://www.amazon.ca/4-Blade-Powered-Fireplace-increases-Friendly/dp/B01CD2AIV8/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1RUGGEDBNCZ5D&keywords=wood%2Bstove%2Bfan&qid=1669092060&qu=eyJxc2MiOiI1LjQ4IiwicXNhIjoiNS4yMSIsInFzcCI6IjQuOTAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=stove%2Bf%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-5&th=1&fbclid=IwAR0k9azZnaK4XjFCYU6FUp1tX9tTfLE0EUD_qAJ2gzqPqojUQ-_roTNkJwY

this is the way. I used this one linked below three years ago and it works perfectly. Can't do it at the switch like a normal thing since the switch is normally like a 5v relay. Not hard to install and the instructions are good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07N9BCJRW/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These.

I have this brush and just go right up the vent and it’s as clean as can be. The first time I did it was rough but the last time 6 mo later was hardly even worth it. I wouldn’t spend a boat load if it’s not necessary.

A nice 'luxury' item to add to the buddy heater is one of those wood stove fans that's powered by black magic, I mean heat.

https://www.amazon.com/VODA-4-Blade-Fireplace-Increases-Friendly/dp/B01CD2AIV8

These heaters are great but you can really stretch their heating power if you circulate that air.

I used something like the one below. Bought a rental property that had the basement finished 12+ years ago and probably hadn’t been cleaned ever. Probably got 5 gallons of lint out of it and was tripping a sensor in a new dryer I installed with a flow sensor. Very sketchy especially with older dryers. If heat sensor is broken will light lint on fire

cleaning kit on amazon

Even if you do the flap route, you should still clean the vent ducting itself periodically. I do mine once a year.

I use something similar to this.

https://www.amazon.com/Holikme-Cleaning-Remover-Fireplace-Synthetic/dp/B07SQYX2FH

Have the ductwork cleaned regularly as well. A family near me lost their two children to a dryer vent fire. I clean mine out every few months now.

duct cleaner

I bought a cleaner similar to this one. You hook it up to your drill and mine even has an attachment for a vacuum to suck out the loose crap.

It take five minutes and is worth it for the peace of mind.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYX2FH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6HWC5XGZEVT5ZGQYTM8Y

This is a dryer vent cleaner…it can save you having to pay someone to do it and to keep from fires happening…you just stuck it in there, back and forth vigorously till you can’t go out anymore and vacuum up the mess. If you look at that you’ll see what piece is your dryer vent hose.

I also like the AC Inifity fans for my rack. I have an 18u Navepoint cabinet and I purchased these: [Amazon Link](http://AC Infinity AXIAL S1225D, Dual 120mm Muffin Fan with Speed Controller, UL-Certified for Doorway, Room to Room, Wood Stove, Fireplace, Circulation Projects https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009P0R6VC/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_HK01WBWXNM7A4J5HHN8Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 Turned down to low speed they are quiet enough to have in the living room.

I'm your guy! I did this with my Gas Log fireplace.

I bought this smart adapter from Amazon ($32 on sale), and hooked it into the yellow and orange terminals that you have captured in photo #4. Plugged that adapter into a USB square charger for a cell phone. Then, I had my Alexa system discover that smart adapter and voila: I can now say "Alexa, turn on the fireplace" or "Alexa, turn off the fireplace.

Now, I have a binary On/Off switch on the side of my fireplace, so there's only an option for "On" and "Off". I do not have any temperature controls on mine, so not exactly sure how that would/should function with the remote. You may have to ditch the remote - again, not sure.

I don't know about landbastard vs. tenant but I use one of these kits in my house with a drill: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYX2FH/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_GNTRAVRNZ5QJ71CBTK90?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It does an amazing job at not just reducing the fire hazard but the clothes dry faster and consumes less electricity.

Holikme 30 Feet Dryer Vent Cleaning Brush, Lint Remover,Fireplace Chimney Brushes, Extends Up to 30 Feet, Synthetic Brush Head, Use with or Without a Power Drill https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SQYX2FH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_X986A6YKW7HYGT0TPPR8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This is the one I bought. Extends pretty far - ironic for me considering it was literally 2 feet for me 😐

You can't move it or you're not allowed/don't want to?

You have some options. If you can access the other end of the vent, you can use this tool. If you can't access either end, I would hire a vent cleaning service to do the job

Probably fine if you clean your chimney annually... Like you should be anyway.

This weedwhacker style does a great job, FWIW. You just need some plastic tarp to tape to the chimney and keep the dust in.