12
7022-515G
November 27, 2017
CASTILE INSERT
Clinker
Figure 12.1
3. Ash Removal from Firebox
• Frequency:
Weekly or more frequently depending on
ash build-up
• By:
Homeowner
a. There must not be any hot ashes in the firebox during
cleaning so allow the appliance to completely cool.
Frequent cleaning of the ash in the firebox will help
slow down the build-up of ash in the exhaust blower
and vent system.
b. Plug in your appliance, if unplugged, and turn the
thermostat on and immediately shut it off to start the
exhaust blower on its cycle time. It will pull fly ash out
the exhaust instead of into the room.
B. General Maintenance and Cleaning
1. Types of Fuel
Depending on the type of fuel you are burning will dictate how
often you have to clean your fire pot.
If the fuel you are burning has a high dirt or ash content or you
are burning shelled field corn, it may be necessary to clean
the fire pot more than once a day.
Dirty fuel will cause clinkers to form in the fire pot. A clinker is
formed when dirt, ash or a non-burnable substance is heated
to 2000°F (1093°C) and becomes glass-like. See
page 14
in
this section for more details on fuels with high ash content.
2. Cleaning Fire pot with Cleaning Rod & Fire pot
Clean-Out Tool
• Frequency:
Daily or more often as needed
• By:
Homeowner
a. The appliance must be in complete shutdown and cool
and the exhaust blower off.
NOTE: If you are just
cleaning the fire pot, there is no need to unplug the
insert.
b. Pull fire pot cleaning rod OUT and IN a couple of times
to help shake debris loose.
See page 13.
If rod is hard to pull, it may be necessary to use your fire
pot clean-out tool to chip away material that has built up
on the bottom plate of the fire pot and to push out any
clinkers. Larger clinkers may have to be removed from
the top of the fire pot. Corn clinkers can be especially
difficult to break up.
c. The fire pot floor plate must be fully closed when
finished.
WARNING
Disposal of Ashes
• Ashes should be placed in metal container with tight
fitting lid.
• Ashes should be retained in closed container until all
cinders have thoroughly cooled.
WARNING
Fire Risk
NEVER pull fire pot cleaning rods or cleaning slide
plates when appliance is operating. Hot pellets may
fall into ash pan and may start a fire or have mis-starts
due to lack of vacuum.
WARNING
Fire Risk.
The cleaning slide plates must be fully CLOSED when
appliance is operating. Hot pellets may fall into ash
pan and start a fire.
c. Open door. There are 2 cleaning slide plates to the
left and right of the fire pot with finger holes. Pull both
slide plates out and sweep the remaining ash from the
firebox into the 2 open holes. A paint brush works well
for this. Close slide plates.
d. This ash is deposited in the same ash drawer as the
fire pot debris. The ash drawer should be emptied every
time you clean the firebox. Remember to place the ash
and debris into a metal or non-combustible container.
e. The 2 cleaning slide plates must be fully closed when
cleaning is complete.
4. Cleaning Ash Drawer
• Frequency:
Weekly or every 5 bags of fuel
• By:
Homeowner
Locate the ash drawer underneath the fire pot and
slide the ash drawer straight out. Empty into a non-
combustible container and re-install ash drawer.
5. Disposal of Ashes
• Frequency:
As needed
• By:
Homeowner
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a
tight-fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a non-combustible 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 cinders have been thoroughly
cooled.
