16
© 2020 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.
