Instructions for maintaining a wood burning heater:
Soot removal
Regular cleaning of fireplaces and chimneys is an important part of fire safety. As a result of incomplete combustion and lack of maintenance, soot can build up in the flue, which may catch fire.
The chimney and connection pipes should be swept at regular intervals and especially if the heater ("stove") has not been used in a long time.
Soot removal in 10 steps
1. Protect the area around the stove from getting dirty while it is being cleaned.
2. Remove the stones from the stove before sweeping it so that the condition of the stove body can be assessed.
3. Remove the plugs from the soot openings (2 pcs). If the stove is connected to a flue via the rear connection, also remove the plug from the top connection.
4. Clean the fire channels of the stove.
5. Remove the ash from the fire channels using a metal brush or a metal scoop.
6. Also remove the ashes from the ash box and the space under the grate.
7. Inspect the seams and surfaces of the stove’s fire channels. There must be no gaps in the body. Inspect the surfaces of the combustion chamber from inside the stove.
8. The stove body and its components expand and contract during use. Make sure that nothing is preventing the stove from being used safely. For example, make sure that the combustion air plates (if included) stay in place or that the grate isn't too warped.
9. After cleaning, make sure that the plugs for soot openings and the ash box are properly reinstalled. Check that the flue connection is intact and airtight.
10. Load the stones back into the stove. Check the condition of the stones. Any stones that are in poor condition, dirty, or encrusted with lime scale must be replaced with new ones.
Important information
Due to incomplete burning of fuel and failure of sweeping the chimney, the soot build-up in the flue may ignite.
Actions to be taken in case of a chimney fire
1. Close the ash box, stove door and damper plate (if installed).
2. Contact local fire authority.
3. Do not try to extinguish fire using water.
4. After a sootfire, a chimney sweeper must check the stove and the flue before use.