Osburn Soho Installation and Operation Manual
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5.1.5
CLEANING AND PAINTING THE WOOD FIRE
Do not attempt to clean or paint the wood fire when the unit is hot.
Painted surfaces can be
wiped down with a damp cloth. Plated surfaces may be scratched by abrasive cleaners. To
maintain the finish at its original brilliance, use only a damp soft cloth to clean plated surfaces.
If the paint becomes scratched or damaged, you can give your wood fire a brand new look by
repainting it with heat-resistant paint. Before painting, roughen the surface with fine sand paper,
wipe it down to remove dust, and apply two thin coats of paint. For best results, use the same
paint that was originally used on the wood fire, which is available in spray cans. See your dealer for
details.
5.2
FLUE AND FLUE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
5.2.1
WHY FLUE SYSTEM CLEANING IS NECESSARY
Wood smoke can condense inside the flue and flue system, forming a combustible deposit called
creosote. If creosote is allowed to build up in the flue system it can ignite when a hot fire is burned
in the wood fire and a very hot fire can progress to the top of the flue system. Severe flue system
fires can damage even the best flue systems. Smouldering, smoky fires can quickly cause a thick
layer of creosote to form. When you avoid smouldering so the exhaust from the flue system is
mostly clear, creosote builds up more slowly. Your new wood fire has the right characteristics to
help you to burn clean fires with little or no smoke, resulting in less creosote in the flue system.
5.2.2
HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN THE FLUE SYSTEM?
It is not possible to predict how much or how quickly creosote will form in your flue system. It is
important, therefore, to check the build-up in your flue system monthly when getting used to the
new wood fire until you determine the rate of creosote formation. Even if creosote forms slowly in
your system, the flue system should be cleaned and inspected at least once each year.
Contact your local municipal or provincial fire authority for information on how to handle a flue
system fire. Have a clearly understood plan to handle a flue system fire.
