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Maintaining Your Appliance
© Travis Industries
100-01282
4150526
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 and chimney connector should be inspected at least once
every two months 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.
If you are not certain of creosote inspection, contact your dealer or local chimney sweep for a full
inspection. Excess creosote buildup may cause a chimney fire that may result in property damage,
injury, or death.
Operating this appliance continually at a low burn rate (air starvation) or using green (un-seasoned
wood) will increase the formation of creosote.
Yearly Maintenance
Make sure the appliance has fully cooled before servicing.
Touch-Up Paint
Included with the owner's pack of this appliance is a can of Stove-Brite® paint.
To touch up nicks or dulled paint, apply the paint while the appliance is cool.
Sand rusted or damaged areas before preparation (use 120-grit sandpaper).
Clean and dry the area to prepare the surface. Wait at least one hour before
starting the appliance. The touched-up area will appear darker than the
surrounding paint until it cures from heat. Curing will give off some fumes while
curing – open windows to ventilate.
Enamel Surfaces
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Use only soft cloth and water to clean enamel surfaces. To fix chips in the enamel, follow the
directions below:
1) Let the stove cool. Clean the area thoroughly.
2) Shake the Travis Enamel Touch-Up thoroughly. Apply to the damaged area.
Cleaning the Air Duct and Blower (if applicable)
Use a vacuum to clean the air ducts (channels). This prevents dust from burning and creating odors.
The optional blower should be vacuumed every year to remove any buildup of dust, lint, etc.
Firebrick and Baffle Inspection
Use the illustration on page 35 as a reference for checking the following items. Make sure the appliance
is cool before proceeding.
Secondary Air Tubes - Check the air tubes and collars to make sure they are intact and not severely
deteriorated. Slight scaling or rusting of the metal is normal. Make sure the roll pins hold the air tubes in
place.
Wall Firebricks - Replace any severely damaged firebrick along the side of the firebox.
Touch-Up
Paint