Why does nobody mention sweeping the smoke shelf before the flue, a guy in Albany showed me his 3 step order and it saved me 20 minutes a house | Chimney Sweeps - Pinecone Attack
I had a guy in Rochester show me the same thing about 6 years back and I still do it wrong half the time. My smoke shelf area is always the spot I forget until I'm already halfway up the ladder with the vacuum, then it's too late and I'm doing that awkward reach around the damper. The three step order thing sounds about right though, I just never wrote it down so every chimney is a surprise party for my memory. You're not alone in wondering why nobody talks about it, seems like everyone just wants to sell you a rotory brush and call it a day. Anyway good tip, I'll try to actually remember it tomorrow.