Hearth and Home Technologies 820-0721 Maintenance and Glass Care, Creosote, Chimney Cleaning

5700 ACT Wood Stove

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MAINTENANCE and GLASS CARE

CREOSOTE FIREBRICK

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 two 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.

INSPECTION: Inspect the system at the stove 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.

REMOVAL: The creosote or soot should be removed with a brush specifically designed for the type of chimney in use. A chimney sweep can perform this service. It is also recommended that before each heating season the entire system be professionally inspected, cleaned and repaired if necessary.

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Remove all ash from the firebox and extinguish all hot embers before disposal. Allow the stove to cool completely. Disconnect flue pipe or remove baffle from stove before cleaning chimney. Otherwise residue can pile up on top of the baffleand the stove will not work properly. Close the door tightly and proceed with sweeping the chimney. Clean out fallen ashes from the firebox.

The firebox of your Quadra-Fire stove is lined with high quality firebrick, which has exceptional insulating properties. There is no need to use a grate; simply build a fire on the firebox floor of your stove. Do not operate stove without firebrick.

GLASS CARE

NOTE: Remove all labels from glass before lighting the first fire in your stove.

Quadra-Fire stoves are equipped with ceramic super heat-resistant glass, which can only be broken by impact or misuse. Do not slam stove door or impact the glass. When closing door, make sure that logs do not protrude against the glass. Clean glass with a nonabrasive glass cleaner, such as Windex. Abrasive cleaners may scratch and cause glass to crack. Inspect glass regularly. If you find a crack or break, immediately put the fire out and return the door to your dealer for replacement of glass before further use.

A portion of the combustion air entering the firebox is deflected down over the inside of the door glass. This air flow “washes” the glass, helping to keep smoke from adhering to its surface. When operated at a low burn rate, less air will be flowing over the glass and the smokey, relatively cool condition of a low fire will cause the glass to become coated. Operating the stove with the Primary Air Control all the way open for 15-20 minutes should remove the built up coating. 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.

Disposal of ashes

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.

OVERFIRING

Do not overfire. Using flammable liquids or too much wood, burning trash in the stove, or allowing too much air into the stove may result in overfiring. If the chimney connector or stove glows red or even worse, white, the stove is overfired. This condition may ignite creosote in the chimney, which can be dangerous, possibly causing a house fire. If you overfire, immediately close the air controls and door, if open, to reduce the air supply to the fire. Overfiring will void the stove warranty.

CARE AND CLEANING OF PLATED SURFACES

Clean plated surfaces with vinegar or a glass cleaner before lighting your first fire.

CAUTION: Do not use polishes with abrasives as it will scratch the surface.

WARNING: When the appliance is equipped with a plated door, you must clean all the fingerprints and oils from the surface before firing the appliance for the first time. Use a glass cleaner or vinegar and towel to remove the oils. If not cleaned properly before lighting your first fire, the oils can cause permanent markings on the plating. After the plating is cured, the oils will not affect the finish and little maintenance is required: just wipe clean as needed.

Page 22 250-7090E September 1, 2008