Chimney Balloon 9"x9" Inflatable Blocker (Small Chimney Pillow

I purchased a 9x9 inch product with the intent of sealing an 8 inch diameter circular flue pipe. The 9x9 was the closest size to match what I needed. I also purchased the tube extension. After ~ 45 minutes of cursing and wishing dread on the "engineers" of this product, I finally managed to get it in place and hold position. But several days later during an extreme cold spell I heard the product slip out of position and land on the chimney damper. The extreme cold air on the outward facing side of the balloon caused enough contraction so that the balloon lost grip in the pipe and fell out of position. I wriggled myself back in the fireplace and removed that god-awful balloon. I then took and old, limp, unused bed pillow and placed it into a heavy-duty contractor plastic bag and jammed that into the 8 inch pipe and closed the damper. The pillow technique cost me nothing and took about 90 seconds for a very snug fit.As of this write-up I am two months into the worst winter we have had here in 20 years and the pillow in a plastic bag is working great. I just wish I thought of this first and saved some money and frustration. Hopefully whoever reads this will use a similar trick be it a pillow, foam block or pad. Just what ever you choose, DO NOT USE THE CHIMNEY BALLOON!

The tube to blow up the balloon could be a lot longer. A manual pump could be sold with it to make the inflation more sanitary. The deflate valve is not very accessible.

I purchased one and found it a bit difficult to install in a round flue. It tended to inflate diagonally causing an air gap. I was able to position it so that it did not create a gap. Now I have noticed that it loses air pressure in less than a week. I always have to re inflate to keep it pressurized. The value is just not there based on how much it cost.

This product did not meet my expectations. The product is rectangular or pillow shaped and does not completely block a round chimney. Why not build a product that can be round instead of rectangular???

It was a little more challenging to install than expected. I did need the 16” extension as other users had indicated as well as buying a longer inflation tube. Once properly installed it works fine. May need to add air occasionally based on weather changes. Final comment is it’s a little overpriced for what it is. Didn’t give it five stars due to pricing and not including a longer inflation hose.

My flue is 9" round. The manufacturer claims this 9"x9" square plug will fit. Now that my right arm is covered in soot from giving my fireplace a proctological exam, I have rediscovered that a square plug does not fit a round hole. It simply is impossible to install in such a way that it provides a solid seal all the way around.

Easy to use, balloon popped when I used it, thought it was trash but realized it had just come apart, reassembled and worked just fine

Bought this item around the end the November. Seems to work while it lasted. Around the middle of February it developed a leak around the top "cap" and fell out of the chimney.