19
02/23
7021-802K
C. General Maintenance and Cleaning
1.
Types of Fuel:
The type of fuel you are burning will
dictate how often you have to clean your fire pot.
If the fuel you are burning has a high dirt or ash content
or you are burning shelled field corn, it may be necessary
to clean the fire pot more than once a day.
Dirty fuel will cause clinkers to form in the fire pot
(Figure 19.1)
. A clinker is formed when dirt, ash or a non-
burnable substance is heated to 2000°F (1093°C) and
becomes glass-like.
High Ash Content Maintenance
on
in this section for more details on fuels with
high ash content.
Back side of Firepot
Firepot floor left open
Figure 19.2
Clinker
Figure 19.1
NOTE:
If you are just cleaning the fire pot, there is no
need to unplug the appliance.
3. Ash Removal from Firebox
• Frequency:
Every 5 bags or weekly or more frequently
depending on ash build-up.
• By:
Homeowner
a. There must not be any hot ashes in the firebox during
cleaning so allow the appliance to completely cool.
Frequent cleaning of the ash in the firebox will help
slow down the build-up of ash in the exhaust blower
and vent system.
b. Plug in your appliance, if unplugged, and turn the
thermostat on and immediately shut it off to start the
exhaust blower on its cycle time. It will pull fly ash out
the exhaust instead of into the room.
c. Open door. There are 2 cleaning slide plates to the
left and right of the fire pot with finger holes. Pull both
slide plates out and sweep the remaining ash from
the firebox into the 2 open holes. A paint brush works
well for this. Close slide plates.
d. This ash is deposited in the same ash drawer as the
fire pot debris. The ash drawer should be emptied
every time you clean the firebox. Remember to place
the ash and debris into a metal or non-combustible
container.
e. The 2 cleaning slide plates must be fully closed when
cleaning is complete.
4. Cleaning Ash Pan
• Frequency:
Weekly or every 5 bags of fuel
• By:
Homeowner
Locate the ash pan underneath the fire pot. Open the bottom
ash door and slide the ash pan straight out. Empty into a
non-combustible container and re-install ash pan
(Disposal
of Ashes on
.
b. Pull fire pot cleaning rod OUT a couple of times to
help shake debris loose.
— If rod is hard to pull, it may be necessary to use your
fire pot clean-out tool to chip away material that has
built up on the bottom plate of the fire pot and to
push out any clinkers. Larger clinkers may have to be
removed from the top of the fire pot. Corn clinkers can
be especially difficult to break up.
c. The fire pot floor plate must be fully closed when
finished
(Figure 19.2)
.
2. Cleaning Fire pot with Cleaning Rod & Fire pot
Scraper
• Frequency:
Daily or more often as needed
• By:
Homeowner
a. The appliance must be in complete shutdown and
cool and the exhaust blower off.
Fire Risk
• The cleaning slide plates must be fully
CLOSED when appliance is operating. Hot
pellets may fall into ash pan and start a fire.
WARNING
Fire Risk
•
NEVER pull fire pot cleaning rod or
cleaning slide plates out when appliance is
operating.
• The cleaning slide plates must be fully
CLOSED when appliance is operating.
• Hot pellets may fall into ash pan and start
a fire or mis-starts due to lack of vacuum.
WARNING