Reading through this thread there are quite a few opinions, I contacted our insurers and they have no requirement for a pro ramoneur to clean the chimney so I do it myself. When NASA need to call in a ramoneur then I will deem it too difficult, until then I just write down when I do it each year. Keeping the chimney clean also depends on what you burn and how you burn it. All night burns will generally coat the liner and full burns will help to remove deposits. How you light the fire has a bearing too. There was a comment on the cost of fire lighters. Try lighting using the top down method and you will not only light quicker but you won't keep on opening the fire after some kindling size bits have burnt. Top down works and allows you to completely fill the stove in one go. Because it heats the flue quickly you get a better draw immediately which gets the whole fire up and running in no time and gives a cleaner burn. It's not me in the video LoL