Maintenance
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN MY GAS FIREPLACE?
Since gas fireplaces don’t have to contend with the mess of wood, ash, and general messiness of wood-burning fireplaces, they are much easier to maintain and keep clean. However, things like dirt and dust buildup can clog up ports of your gas fireplace. The wire connections of your unit can also become loose or dirty through the normal wear and tear of operation. Lack of proper cleaning and maintenance can lead to inefficient burning. Gaskets can also wear out and possibly allow poisonous carbon monoxide into your home.
An annual inspection, cleaning, and adjustment of your gas fireplace is recommended to correct and prevent these problems. There are many gas fireplace experts that specialize in just such maintenance work.
However, there are several things that you can do yourself. Here is a list of what we recommend:
Accessing Your Firebox:
Make sure that your fireplace is completely cool before touching the glass, access panel, or front of the fireplace.
Turn your gas valve off.
Remove your front and safety screen. For instructions on how to do this, refer to your manual. If you have lost your manual, give us a call and we can send you links to the online versions of all units we carry at Maple Mtn Fireplace.
Some fireplaces will also have an access panel that
Remove your glass. Again, you will want to refer to your owners manual. Do not force or strip any screws while taking the glass off.
Set all parts aside on a clean non-abrasive surface.
The Inside of your Firebox:
Clean the inside of your firebox and your logs with a combination of soft cleaning tools and a vacuum. Some things we like to use are clean wash rags, dusters, and soft brushes.
Check your firebox for rust, soot, or any other abnormalities after the dust has been cleaned out.
If the abnormalities are not covered under warranty (call Maple Mtn Fireplace or visit the brand website for warranty information) you can lightly sand the area and purchase HIGH TEMPERATURE spray paint from our showroom that will fill in the sanded areas.
The Outside of Your Firebox:
Using a clean microfiber cloth and a vacuum, clean the dust from the outside of the firebox and the access panels. Make sure to clean around the valves and valve control box. Be careful not to disconnect any wires.
The Glass:
First, look over the glass for any nicks or scratches. If you see any, refrain from using your fireplace until you replace the glass. Keep in mind that most warranties will only cover thermal breakage when it comes to glass.
Next, check the gasket. If it is worn down or falling apart, you may want to replace it so that your unit has a good seal and can burn properly.
Use a glass cleaner like Stove Bright to clean both sides of the glass and reinstall it onto the unit.
Turn the gas valve on again and reinstall the front.
Other Components:
Check your venting for any debris, clutter, or anything else that shouldn’t be there. If you don’t have a cap on top of your home, you may find it on the outside wall closest to your fireplace. It is silver and will say “HOT” on it.
You will also want to check your burner. Make sure your fireplace lights smoothly. If it does not, you can give us a call to schedule a technician who can come out to your home for our basic labor charge.
That’s it! If you have any questions, please consult your manual or give us a call to see about setting up a gas fireplace service!
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN MY WOOD STOVE?
Wood Stove Maintenance: To Burn or Not to Burn
Be aware of the fuel limitations of your stove. Though some stoves are designed to burn both coal and wood, most wood stoves are meant to burn wood only. Do not burn driftwood, trash, treated wood, artificial logs, or any product containing zinc, sulfur, lead, or plastics as they will damage the catalytic combustor. Burning trash in a wood stove is dangerous for its potential to start a chimney fire, and also because the trash could contain plastics or other elements which emit harmful gases.It is best to burn only seasoned wood for maximum heat release, less creosote buildup, and economy. Avoid burning green, unseasoned wood which may contain up to 50 percent of its weight in moisture and needs to be burned off before the heat can reach your house.
Wood Stove Maintenance: Chimneys, Flues, and Temperatures
A stack thermometer installed on the stove flue will give you information on gases leaving the stove. Monitoring their levels is important for efficiency and pollution control. 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit is an optimum range. Build small, hot fires for maximum burning of volatile gases and for fewer air quality and other safety problems. Your increased effort and attention are well worth the effort. Keep the stove's air-intake vents clear by removing excess ashes. This also lowers the level of oxygen required for an efficient fire. Observe the amount of smoke coming from your chimney. The less smoke, the cleaner the burning process.
Simplify Wood Stove Maintenance by Increasing Your Home's Efficiency
Your wood stove maintenance is directly affected by how much you need to use it. A stove that is used only once or twice a month will obviously require less maintenance than one that is used for several hours multiple times a week. Reducing the amount of heat that escapes your house as well as the amount of unwanted cold air that enters it will cut down on your wood stove maintenance needs, and decrease your overall heating costs. It helps greatly if your house is well-insulated, and window and door leaks are corrected with caulking, weather stripping, etc.
Wood Stove and Chimney Inspections
It is strongly recommended to have wood stoves and chimneys inspected at least once each year by a professional stove dealer or chimney sweep. They should check for all signs of deterioration such as cracks, leaks, warping, baffle gaps, and creosote in the chimney. Chimney fires can be extremely devastating; getting regular inspections is a good way to reduce the risk of chimney fires and identify any existing problems. It is a good idea to get your wood stove and chimney inspected before the heating season begins so your stove will be in top working order for the cold months ahead.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN MY PELLET STOVE?
Annual Maintenance
Your pellet stove should be cleaned and inspected at least once a year, or each time you’ve burned a ton of pellets through it. You can inspect and clean it yourself by carefully following the owner’s manual instructions, or you can hire a pro from your local hearth dealer. In addition to cleaning the stove, he or she will inspect vital components like the auger, motor, hopper, switches, blowers, wiring, seals, sensors and exhaust pipes.
Ongoing Maintenance
During the winter months when your stove is working hard, it needs some attention. On a regular basis, you should clean the ash out of the burn chamber area and the ash pan, scrape the burn pot, and keep vital components free of ash, such as the airwash system (if your stove has one) and venting. Your owner’s manual will have instructions specific to your stove. When the stove is completely cool, you can clean the viewing glass. Use a soft cloth and a glass cleaner specially formulated for wood or pellet stove glass. Don’t scrape the glass with any sharp objects! Scratches can compromise the integrity and strength of the glass. While working on your stove, we’d recommend wearing safety glasses and heat resistant gloves. Ashes can be a real fire hazard, so be sure to deposit them in a metal container with a lid and store it far away from any combustible materials.
Pellet Considerations
We recommend using premium-grade pellets whenever possible. They’ll burn more efficiently and produce less ash than low-grade pellets, meaning you’ll need to clean your stove less often. If you aren’t sure how a certain grade of pellets will perform in your stove, buy a small amount (2-3 bags) and burn it through before stocking up.
Follow these suggestions and your pellet stove should be operating at its best this winter!