6
it. When this happens, the firebrick goes into
shock and will start to spall and/or crack.
Exterior brick and stone joints may develop
minor hairline cracks, which will open and close
as the heater cycles. Larger cracks only occur
when the heater is over fired. If your heater
develops serious cracks, stop using the heater
and call us or a local heater mason immediately
for an assessment visit and repair.
S
URFACE
T
EMPERATURES
:
Under normal operating conditions, all the
masonry surfaces should be cool enough to
touch. Only the metal will be too hot to touch
during the burn. After the burn, the doors as
well will cool down.
Avoid putting combustible materials or candles
on any shelves or mantels on the heater. The
heater cap and mantle can hold non-combustible
objects, vases, etc. Use your good judgment.
G
LASS
CARE
:
Many customers wipe the ceramic glass before
each burn with a paper towel and a tiny bit of
fine ash from the ash box. If you choose to use a
liquid glass or oven cleaner on the ceramic glass,
only do this when the glass and doors are cool.
S
MOKE
REMOVAL
:
If you get smoke on the brick or stone face from
an improperly closed damper, wait until the
heater is cool and clean the carbon stains off
with oven cleaner (or simpler means) following
instructions on the can or bottle.
O
UTSIDE
A
IR
:
It is customary in a new tight house to supply
outside air (a 4”-6” metal duct) to the vicinity
of the heater. A hole can be drilled through the
foundation wall, and a rust proof/fireproof duct
installed with a screen on the outside end and a
closeable register on the living room or kitchen
end. The duct can be on either face or side of
the heater. Do not place it away from the heater
where it might create a felt draft across the feet of
someone trying to enjoy the fire or heater.
DAMPER
MAINTENANCE
:
The sliding damper and frame is fabricated from
steel. If left in the closed position all summer, it
can accumulate moisture and rust, and stick a bit
when you start up your heater again in the fall.
Many people remove their damper at the end
of the heating season and clean it with fine steel
wool or a brass brush and spray it with WD-40
and also spray inside both left and right channels
of the frame with a red needle attachment on the
can. Lubricating and rust proofing the damper
for the summer is a good way to have it in good
shape and ready to go for the fall.
A
NNUAL
MAINTENANCE
:
Most people check all their soot doors once or
twice during the heating season and clean out
any fly ash or fine soot with a shop vacuum. The
basement ash chamber can typically hold a full
season’s accumulation of ash and can be cleaned
