6
NOTE: DIAGRAMS & ILLUSTRATIONS NOT TO SCALE.
TWICE A YEAR CHECK-UP
Normally, twice a year, you should inspect
your fireplace following this list:
1.
Inspect the opening in your chimney top
and remove any debris that could clog it. The
cap is usually held in place by four (4) screws,
which remove easily for checking or cleaning
the full length of the flue from above. Remove
the chimney top while wearing gloves to guard
against any sharp metal edges.
2.
Inspect the entire flue from the top down for
obstructions such as birds nests, leaves, etc.
This may be done by using a flexible handled
chimney cleaning brush. If the chimney con-
tains offset/return elbows; a soft brush cleaning
from the top down to any elbow and then from
the firebox up to the offset/return section is the
proper method. The beam from a powerful
flashlight will help in this inspection, (removal
of the flue strainer may be needed).
3.
Look up from inside the fireplace to see if
any obstructions are in the lower flue area. If
present, shut the glass doors (if installed) to
seal the firebox and contain any soot that
might fall.
If your fireplace does not have glass doors
installed, a damp sheet covering the fireplace
opening and sealed with masking tape will do.
Then clean the flue from the top down (if an
offset system, clean per Step 2) using a proper
size chimney brush with flexible pole sections.
Don’t open the doors or remove the sheet until
all soot has settled. Vacuum, don’t sweep.
Note:
Removal of the flue strainer may be
required to clear any obstructions inside the flue.
4.
Check the metal flashing and seals around
your chimney. Seal any cracks or loose nail-
head openings to prevent roof leaks.
5.
Clean the firebox thoroughly by using a soft
brush or equivalent.
6.
Check outside air inlet and free from any
obstructions.
7.
Exposed stainless steel face may be cleaned
with a solution of baking soda and water:
Mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of
water and spray on the exposed stainless steel
face. Wipe with a clean cloth.
CREOSOTE FORMATION AND REMOVAL
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar
and other organic vapors, which combine with
expelled moisture to form creosote. The creo-
sote 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 should be inspected at least
twice yearly during the heating season to de-
termine if a creosote build-up has occurred.
If creosote has accumulated, it should be
removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
If creosote build-up is found, do not use chemi-
cal chimney cleaners that are poured on a hot
fire. The chemical cleaners can be dangerous
and generally only work on the flue section
nearest the fire, leaving the rest of the flue
unaffected. It is best to take the time to clean
the flue as previously described or have the
chimney professionally cleaned by a qualified
chimney sweep.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Note:
"Smoke Free" operation is not warranted
nor are we responsible for inadequate system
draft, general construction conditions, inad-
equate chimney heights, adverse wind condi-
tions and/or unusual environmental factors or
conditions beyond our control.
If you do experience a problem, here are sev-
eral things to check:
1.
Remember – always check to ensure that
the flue strainer and air inlet are clear from
obstructions before lighting a fire!
2.
Is your fire too far forward? Move it toward
the back with your poker. Keep the fire well
within the confines of your fuel grate.
3.
Keep your fire up on the grate and the refrac-
tory below free of excessive ashes. The fire
needs plenty of air movement around the logs.
4.
Is a breeze or wind blowing? This can cause
negative pressure and an unwanted downdraft
– and smoking.
5.
Is your wood fuel too wet or unseasoned?
Or does it contain some chemical substance
that causes sputtering, smoking and toxic
fumes?
CLEANOUT PANEL (DOOR SUPPORT
FRAME)
The Cleanout Panel provides an outlet for
water that may enter the fireplace during rain-
ing or melting snow. Therefore it is important
to keep it clear from ashes and debris.
Remove the Cleanout Panel by removing the
screw at each end and lift (
see Figure 5 ).
Check inside and clean if necessary.
Make sure the area is free of any debris and
reattach the panel with the screws previously
removed.
Note:
The hearth area can be vacuum cleaned.
Larger debris must be removed manually. It is
recommended to clean the hearth area while
the cleanout panel is removed to make sure
that no ashes will fill the cleanout panel area
upon reattachment.
Figure 5
Cleanout Panel
Screw
Screw
Stainless Steel Outdoor Weather Cover
(P/N H0321)
An optional Stainless Steel Outdoor Weather
Cover can be purchased to provide additional
protection against leaves and other objects
that wind can carry which can accumulate
inside your fireplace or damage your fireplace
Glass Doors. Complete instructions for use
are provided with the cover.
WARNING: CONTINUED OVERFIRING
CAN PERMANENTLY DAMAGE YOUR
FIREPLACE SYSTEM. SOME EXAMPLES
OF OVERFIRING ARE:
• BURNING QUANTITIES OF SCRAP
LUMBER, PINE BRANCHES, PAPER OR
CARDBOARD BOXES WHICH EXCEED
THE VOLUME OF THE NORMAL LOG FIRE.
• USE OF ARTIFICIAL WAX BASE LOGS,
TRASH OR OTHER CHEMICALS OR
CHEMICALLY TREATED COMBUSTIBLES.