American Energy Systems Country Flame Little Rascal - Manual (Page 18)

Version 1.0c Page 18
MAINTENANCE
1. If pellets contain a large amount of “fines” (foreign matter or sawdust), you will need to clean
the heat exchanger area for buildup often to determine if any maintenance is needed. You may
want to screen pellets before use if they contain a large number of “fines.”
2. Sand in the pellets may cause “clinkering” (hard brittle deposits found in the bottom of the
firepot). Clinkering is primarily caused by fuel impurities, but it may be intensified if the stove
is run for a long time with a low amount of fuel. A full load of fuel allows less cool air to enter
the burnpot as pellets drop in.
3. A clinker may be removed with a spoon and dropped into the ash pan. NOTE: For your
safety, only remove clinkers from stove when unit is cool. When the stove is cold, the firepot
can be pulled out and removed for a thorough cleaning.
4. SOOT AND FLYASH: the products of combustion will contain small particles of flyash. The
flyash will collect in the exhaust venting system and restrict the flow of the flue gases.
Incomplete combustion, such as occurs during start-up, shut down, or incorrect operation of the
room heater will lead to some soot formation which will collect in the exhaust venting system.
The exhaust venting system should be inspected at least once every year to determine if
cleaning is necessary.
5. The frequency of cleaning your unit will depend on the particular installation, fuel and usage of
your unit. You will know your stove needs cleaning either by inspection or by a marked
decrease in performance. We suggest you check your unit often, especially during its “break-
in” period.
6. Shut off the power to the unit and allow it to cool off when performing cleaning and
maintenance.
7. The exhaust vent should be checked frequently, at least once a season and cleaned at least once
a season.
8. Check to insure that the fresh air intake is clear and unobstructed, especially at the start of the
season.
9. The Heat Exchanger has a simple cleaning feature. A sliding plate is fit over the fifteen tubes
of the exchanger. The sliding plate is attached to a small rod protruding through the front of
the stove just below the louver vent. Push the rod to the back of the exchanger and then pull
forward to the front, several times. This will effectively remove ash and debris from the
surface of the heat exchanger. Performing this step often will insure that cleaning is an easy
task. If buildup is allowed to go unattended, cleanup will be much more difficult and the
efficiency of your stove will be adversely affected.