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© 2021 United States Stove Company
CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
NEVER OPERATE THIS PRODUCT WHILE UNATTENDED
CAUTION:
DO NOT OVERFIRE APPLIANCE. YOU ARE
OVERFIRING IF ANY PART OF THE APPLIANCE
GLOWS RED. CLOSE THE DOOR AND SHUT DAMPER
IMMEDIATELY TO REDUCE THE AIR SUPPLY AND
SLOW DOWN THE FIRE.
CAUTION:
SLOW BURNING FIRES FOR EXTENDED USE OR
BURNING GREEN WOOD MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE
CREOSOTE BUILD-UP. IGNITION OF CREOSOTE
OR OVERFIRING COULD CAUSE A CHIMNEY
FIRE. CHIMNEY FIRES BURN EXTREMELY HOT
AND MAY IGNITE SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIALS. IN CASE OF A CHIMNEY FIRE, CALL
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY!
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 high
temper fire. The chimney connector and chimney should
be inspected at least once every two months during the
heating season to determine if a creosote build-up has
occurred. If creosote has accumulated (3 mm or more),
it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
We strongly recommend that you install a magnetic
thermometer on your smoke exhaust pipe, approximately
18” above the stove. This thermometer will indicate the
temperature of your gas exhaust fumes within the smoke
exhaust system. The ideal temperature for these gases
is somewhere between 275°F and 500°F. Below these
temperatures, the build-up of creosote is promoted.
Above 500°F, heat is wasted since a too large quantity is
lost into the atmosphere.
TO PREVENT CREOSOTE BUILD UP
• Always burn dry wood. This allows clean burns and
higher chimney temperatures, therefore less creosote
deposit.
• Leave the air control fully open for about 5 minutes
every time you reload the stove to bring it back to proper
operating temperatures. The secondary combustion
can only take place if the firebox is hot enough.
• Always check for creosote deposit once every two
months and have your chimney cleaned at least once
a year.
• If a chimney or creosote fire occurs, close all dampers
immediately. Wait for the fire to go out and the heater to
cool, then inspect the chimney for damage. If no damage
results, perform a chimney cleaning to ensure no more
creosote deposits are remaining in the chimney.
CAUTION:
A CHIMNEY FIRE MAY CAUSE IGNITION OF WALL
STUDS OR RAFTERS WHICH WERE ASSUMED TO
BE A SAFE DISTANCE AWAY FROM THE CHIMNEY.
IF A CHIMNEY FIRE OCCURS, HAVE YOUR
CHIMNEY INSPECTED BY A QUALIFIED EXPERT
BEFORE USING AGAIN.
ASH REMOVAL & DISPOSAL
Whenever ashes get 3 to 4 inches deep in your firebox
or ash pan, remove excess ashes. Leave an ash bed
approximately 1 inch deep on the firebox bottom to help
maintain a hot charcoal bed. 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 the ground, away from all combustible materials,
pending final disposal. The ashes should be retained in
the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly
cooled.
CAUTIONS:
• ASHES COULD CONTAIN HOT EMBERS EVEN
AFTER TWO DAYS WITHOUT OPERATING THE
STOVE.
• THE ASH PAN CAN BECOME VERY HOT. WEAR
GLOVES TO PREVENT INJURY.
• NEVER BURN THE STOVE WITH THE ASH TRAP
OPEN. THIS WOULD RESULT IN OVER FIRING
THE STOVE. DAMAGE TO THE STOVE AND EVEN
HOUSE FIRE MAY RESULT.
