Cap here also. I burn wood approx. 7 months. I do clean my chimney twice a season and run creosote sticks several times a season.

I keep mine uncapped during burn season and cap it when it's not being used.

My roof pitch is 23:12, once during winter I had to get up there and clear the cap.

Brushing in good weather is fun enough during winter is too exciting for me.

Cap and wire mesh

Stainless Steel Cap with 3/4" mesh is best and will not be a problem if you operate the wood stove properly and the stove is installed properly..

I could say a lot more on this subject... but it should cost y'all....

(37years inspecting, sweeping and repairing wood stove chimneys...) CSIA #599

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Originally posted by shovelhead:

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Originally posted by ridewv:

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Originally posted by Yellow Jacket:
I reckon it all depends on whether or not you want water running down the pipe when it rains.

Or bats, raccoons, etc...

Cap and mesh on mine.

I clean my chimney from the bottom, inside the house with a 6" chimney brush. Also burn a "creosote buster" log twice each season.

Never had a bat or raccoon but did have a bird get in our wood stove at the other house once.

Prior to capping the chimney at my parent's house we had a bird, a bat, a flying squirrel and a wood duck in the living room/fireplace! I'd install a cap w/ mesh....Just sayin'