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53D9025
MAINTENANCE & SAFETY
Fuel Storage
Wood can be dried sufficiently for burning within a few weeks if protected form rain in a low hu-
midity area. It is far better to cut wood and allow it to dry for a year. In all cases, the wood should
be stacked so that both ends of the sticks are exposed to the air and protected from rain. The dri-
er the wood, the more usable heat produced by the fire and less likely rapid accumulation of soot
and creosote within the chimney is to occur. See the section of this manual concerning chimney
maintenance for information concerning the hazards of soot a creosote accumulation. Small
quantities of wood required for fire tending must be kept at least 30 inches from the fireplace.
Disposal Of Ashes
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes
should be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible
materials pending final disposal. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally
dispersed, they should be retained in the closed container until all cinder has thoroughly cooled.
Ashes should never be placed in a container with combustible materials.
Chimney Maintenance
Creosote, Formation and Need for Removal: When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and
other organic vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. The creosote
vapors condense in the relatively cool chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote
residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire.
The chimney should be inspected at least twice a year during the heating season to determine if
a creosote buildup has occurred.
If creosote has accumulated it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
The chimney cap can be removed for inspection, maintenance and cleaning by removing three
screws from the support legs and lifting upward.
When the fireplace is first in use, inspect the chimney frequently and clean the chimney any
time an accumulation is observed on the flue walls. The frequency of these inspections can be
increased or reduced appropriately after a pattern of accumulation has been established. Please
note, however, that changes in the outside environmental conditions such as temperature and
humidity or changes in the operation of the fireplace can lead to rapid buildup of soot and/or
creosote.
To clean the chimney, obtain the services of a qualified and reputable chimney sweep, or remove
the accumulation with brushes on wooden or fiberglass poles. Do not use metal pipes, chains,
wires, etc., to clean the chimney because such items can scratch the surface of the stainless
steel flue which can shorten the life of the flue and provide a rough surface for soot particles to
attach to.
Be sure to cover nearby furnishing and arrange some method of catching soot and creosote
particles that may fall during the chimney cleaning process. If glass doors are installed on the
fireplace, they should be closed. Extra caution must be used to avoid damage to the flue damper
during the cleaning process.
In addition to checking and cleaning the chimney on a regular basis, be sure to inspect the
chimney before starting a fire at the beginning of each heating season. Make sure the chimney is
clear from any accumulation of soot, creosote or any other debris, and that all joints are intact.
MHSC does not recommend chemical cleaners because some may contain elements that cor-
rode the metal parts of the chimney or fireplace.
