•Carefully remove the refractory package. It is extremely delicate and should be handled as little as possible.
•For a visual inspection for blockage that can be performed without removing the combustor, have an assistant shine a bright flashlight beam up through the combustor from inside the stoveÕs firebox.
•If combustor removal is necessary for cleaning or closer inspection, lift it gently out of its chamber. Check the combustor and the bottom of the refractory cham- ber for a buildup of fly ash, and remove any ash by gently blowing air through the combustor. Do not brush the surface, as this could damage the element.
•Inspect the combustor, referring to the information in the ÒCatalytic Combustor AppendixÓ on Page 27 for information on what to look for. Although small hairline cracks will not affect performance, the combustor should be essentially intact. If the combustor is broken in pieces or has sections missing, it should be replaced. Call your local Dutchwest dealer for a replacement combustor, item #CB56. Consult the warranty section at the back of this manual for further information on catalytic combustor replacement.
•If the combustor is in good condition and clean, reinstall it. Be sure first to carefully wrap a new Interam¨ gasket (an extra was provided with your stove) around its perimeter before replacement. Insert the gasketed combustor back into position, and replace the refractory package.
•Before replacing the stove top, check the damper. If the gasket is intact, but the damper is not locking tightly, adjustment should be made. Directions for adjusting the damper are on Page 23. Also check the gasket that seals the top plate.
•Gasket should be replaced only if damaged or missing. The top plate and gasket both are sealed with a 3/8Ó gasket. The procedure for removing the old gasket and installing the new is the same as that described for door gaskets on Page 22.
•Replace the stove top, and secure it by tightening the two top plate bolts from inside the firebox. Be sure that the top plate seats properly before tightening, and tighten the bolts gradually and alternately.
Watch for Better Results
Finish up by cleaning the chimney and chimney con- nector. Then, operate the stove in a typical manner for two weeks and observe the stoveÕs performance, taking particular note of the performance tests described above.
If a problem persists, contact your local dealer for further advice about your particular situation.
Dutchwest Seneca
A Clean Chimney System is
Safer and Works Better
Learn to Recognize Creosote and Soot
When you first begin using the stove, check daily for creosote - a substance that can look like either thick tar or black, crisp flakes. Experience will show how often you need to clean to be safe. The frequency may even vary during the year. In the colder months when the hottest fires producing the least creosote are burned, you may need to clean less frequently. During the warmer months when creosote is more likely to result from cooler-burning fires, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.
At the very least, inspect the chimney and chimney connector twice monthly. Clean if necessary. Let the stove cool to determine if a buildup of creosote or soot has occurred. If a significant layer of creosote has accumulated (1/8Ó [3mm]), or if soot has built up, either should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire. Failure to keep the chimney and connector system clean can result in a serious chimney fire.
The conditions for a chimney fire develop like this: 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 slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire within the flue system which can damage the chimney and overheat adjacent combustible material.
To reduce the amount of creosote that may form, remember to provide adequate air for combustion and to strive for small, intense fires rather than large, smoldering ones.
You can never be too safe. Contact your local fire authority for information on what to do in the event of a chimney fire, and have a clearly defined plan on how to handle one.
Inspect Chimney Connector and Chimney
Twice Monthly and Clean as Required
Let the stove cool completely before you inspect the chimney. Then, using a strong light, sight up through the flue collar into the chimney flue. If it is not possible to inspect the flue system in this fashion, the stove must be disconnected to provide adequate viewing.
Clean the chimney using a specially designed chimney cleaning brush, the same size and shape as the flue liner, attached to flexible fiberglass rods designed for this purpose. Run the brush up and down the liner so that any deposits fall to the bottom of the chimney where they can be removed through the clean-out door.
