I am rfustrated and almost out of options. I have done just about everything to stop the creosote smell from my fireplace. Let me back up a bit. About 8 years ago I purchased a wood burning insert. The installer was not able to get a S/S liner in so he installed it with a S/S flex liner about 3.5 ft long. Also threw out the damper. (big mistake).After the first few years of burning I started to get the creosote smell. I have swept the chimney numerous times with no help. I have stuck bags filled with insulation up the flue with no help. Then I installed a top damper. No help even with the damper closed and bag fill with insulation shoved up chimney flue. I even put a piece of sheet metal over the damper frame and sealed it with no help. On a rainy day or a very warm day the smell returns. I just recently spent $425 for a rope cleaning. I finally thought that was it but the next day the smell was back. Is it possible that the smell is coming from the fire brick in the chimney or from the mortar just below the flue ? I have not cleaned either of those. By the way the cimney is exposed on three sides. Mybe I should apply some water proofing? Any sugestions? What about airtight glass doors? Please help. I'm desperate.

This forum general deal with furnaces, boilers and A/C, but not stoves typically.

I would suggest posting over at hearth.com (http://hearth.com), where they deal with exactly this type of issue.