Painting - painted ceilings

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my ceilings are grey from my wood burning stove. I have to paint them but they are textured. It looks like sand is mixed in the paint. Which is easier. Roller or paint brush?

ceilings are painted with a roller on a pole. The more texture the bigger the nap. Try 3/4. nap. Before you do anything I would strongly advise you clean it well{[I like soilax pro from the paint store=no rinsing]. Use a big sponge mop and use plastic sheeting under the drop cloths. I would follow with a coat of zinssers bullseye 123 to seal in the stains that are left. Then paint with a ceiling paint. If you are not painting the walls use tape burnished on the wall unlessyou are good with a brush, but it sounds like tape would be a good idea. If you are painting the walls get a little on the wall while painting the ceiling first then do the wall. Try not to get the walls wet when you clean the ceiling or you will be either washing all the walls or painting them or both.

I agree with joneq. If you can't wash the smoke off the ceiling you will definetly have to prime. Roller is the only way to go. On the primer roll first then brush what ever you couldn't get with the roller. On the finish coat cut in with a brush first then roll the rest.
I also have a wood stove. The better the smoke goes up the chimney the less gets on your ceiling. Keeping the stove pipe and chimney flue clean helps . Also if you get the fire to burn a little hot just before you open the door that will also help. But then you probably know all that.