5100-I ACT WOOD INSERT
Page 8
September 1, 2008
R
438-0380D
9
Maintaining & Servicing Your Appliance
A. General Maintenance
Inspection:
Inspect the system at the appliance connection
and at the chimney top. Cooler surfaces tend to build
creosote deposits quicker, so it is important to check the
chimney from the top as well as from the bottom.
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 newly-started or a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote
residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this
creosote creates an extremely hot fire which may damage the
chimney or even destroy the house. The chimney connector
and chimney should be inspected once every 2 months during
the heating season to determine if a creosote or soot buildup
has occurred. If creosote or soot has accumulated, it should
be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
1.
Creosote (Chimney) Cleaning
• Frequency:
Annually or once every 2 months during
heating season.
• By:
Homeowner / Chimney Sweep
• Task:
Remove all ash from the firebox and extinguish
all hot embers before disposal. Allow the appliance to
cool completely. If the chimney has a full reline, remove
the baffle, ceramic blanket and manifold tubes from the
insert before cleaning chimney. Otherwise residue
can pile up on top of the baffle and the appliance will
not work properly. (See Baffle Removal on
page 32
).
Close the door tightly. The creosote or soot should
be removed with a brush specifically designed for the
type of chimney in use. Clean out fallen ashes from the
firebox.
If the insert is a direct connect within a masonry
chimney, remove the insert from the fireplace. The
creosote or soot can be caught in a large garbage bag
secured to the pipe. Clean any remaining debris from
fireplace smoke shelf.
It is also recommended that before each heating
season the entire system be professionally inspected,
cleaned and repaired if necessary. Close the door
tightly. The creosote or soot should be removed with a
brush specifically designed for the type of chimney in
use. Clean out fallen ashes from the firebox.
3.
Disposal of Ashes
• Frequency:
As necessary
• By:
Homeowner
• Task:
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with
a tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground,
well away from all combustible materials, pending final
disposal. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil
or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained
in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly
cooled.
4.
Glass Cleaning
• Frequency:
As necessary
• By:
Homeowner
• Task:
Clean glass with a nonabrasive glass cleaner.
Abrasive cleaners may scratch and cause glass to
crack.
If the deposits on the glass are not very heavy,
normal glass cleaners work well. Heavier deposits may
be removed by using a damp cloth dipped in wood ashes
or by using a commercially available oven cleaner. After
using an oven cleaner, it is advisable to remove any
residue with a glass cleaner or soap and water. Oven
cleaner left on during the next firing can permanently
stain the glass and damage the finish on plated metal
surfaces.
Risk of Fire
Disposal of Ashes
WARNING
• Ashes should be placed in metal container
with tight fitting lid.
• Do not place metal container on combustible
surface.
• Ashes should be retained in closed container
until all cinders have thoroughly cooled.
Fire Risk.
• Do not use chimney cleaners or flame
colorants in your appliance
• Will corrode pipe.
WARNING
Fire Hazard.
Prevent creosote buildup.
WARNING
• Inspect chimney connector and chimney
once every two months during heating
season.
• Remove creosote to reduce risk of chimney
fire.
• Ignited creosote is extremely HOT.
