STANDING DOWN
There will be some point in the year
when you will not need to use your
stove for a considerable time and taking
care to clean it thoroughly then will
save you much time later. This is also a
good time to get your chimney swept
too as this will prevent any soot build
up from falling inside the stove ‘caking’
and blocking the flue way.
• Remove and clean any deposits from
the top of the baffle plate and check
for wear.
• Remove any debris and deposits from
the inside of the stove particularly at
the entrance to the flue way.
• Empty the ash pan and thoroughly
clean out the ash pan chamber.
• Check all rope seals and replace dam-
aged ropes that do not provide a good
seal –
see page 35.
• Check any fire cement bonds around
the flue joints, particularly where they
connect to the stove. Remove any loose
cement and re-seal.
• Check the vermiculite firebricks and
replace any that are becoming very thin
or have crumbled to reveal the cast iron
sides of the stove.
• Check the grate for signs of wear.
Excessive wear, such as grate bars or
log retaining bars which are bent or
warped, could be an indication of
over-firing or using inappropriate fuels
such as petroleum coke. Order genuine
replacement components from your
authorised Alpha dealer (or in case of
difficulty your National Distributor)
–
see back cover.
33
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
• Baffle Plate and Flue Way
During the heating season check the
flue way and baffle plate at least once
a month to start with and remove any
soot deposits. Should these be
excessive then have your chimney and
flue cleaned. At the same time review
your choice of fuel and the way that
you operate the stove.
Regular long periods of slow or over-
night burning can create excessive soot
because the stove is not operating at
the temperature required to burn off
most of the sooty. Damp or unseasoned
wood will also create a similar effect.
To remove the baffle plate make sure
the stove is cold, then firstly remove the
firefence at the front of the fire
chamber (lift it upwards). Place both
hands inside the roof of the stove, lift
and move the baffle forward slightly to
clear the retaining ledge at the back of
the stove. Then push the plate upwards
to the left hand side whilst simultane-
ously dropping the plate downwards on
the right in order to clear the right hand
Back edge against ledge
Front
Firebrick
retaining lugs
View of baffle plate looking upwards. The
firebrick retaining lugs should be pointing down
towards the firebricks and the baffle’s narrow lip
should be at the front of the stove
