Osburn OB04002 - Manual (Page 25)

Stratford Fireplace Installation and Operation Manual
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5 MAINTAINING YOUR WOOD HEATING SYSTEM
5.1 FIREPLACE MAINTENANCE
Your new fireplace will give many years of reliable service if you use and maintain it correctly.
Some of the internal components of the firebox, such as firebricks, baffles and air tubes, will wear
over time under intense heat. You should always replace defective parts with original parts (see
Appendix 7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List). Firing each load hot to begin a cycle as described
above will not cause premature deterioration of the fireplace. However, letting the fireplace run
with the air control fully open for the entire burn cycles can cause damage over time. The hotter
you run the fireplace throughout burn cycles, the more quickly its components will deteriorate.
For that reason, never leave the fireplace unattended while a new load is being fired hot.
5.1.1 PLATED FINISH MAINTENANCE
If your appliance has a plated finish, use a metal polish and a soft cloth to clean it. Do not use
abrasives such as steel wool, steel pads or an abrasive cleaner for they may scratch the finish.
5.1.2 GLASS DOOR CLEANING
Under normal conditions, your door glass should stay relatively clear. If your firewood is dry
enough and you follow the operating instructions in this manual, a whitish, dusty deposit will form
on the inside of the glass after a week or so of use. This is normal and can be easily removed when
the fireplace is cool by wiping with a damp cloth or paper towel and then drying. Never try to
clean the glass when the fireplace is hot.
In spring and fall when the fireplace is run at lower temperatures, you may see some light brown
stains forming, especially at the lower corners of the glass. This indicates that the fire has been
smoky and some of the smoke has condensed on the glass. When the weather is mild, you may
find that letting the fire go out is better than trying to maintain a continuous fire. Use the
technique described above for building a fire to take the chill off the house.
If you do get brown stains on the glass you can remove them with special cleaners for wood
heater glass doors. Do not use abrasives to clean your fireplace’s door glass.
The deposits that form on the glass are the best indication of the quality of your fuel and how well
you are doing in operating the fireplace. Your goal should be clear glass with no brown stains. If
you continue to see brown stains on the glass, something about your fuel and operating
procedure needs to be changed. Stains on the glass indicate incomplete combustion of the wood,
which also means more smoke emissions and faster formation of creosote in the chimney.
If you see brown streaks coming from the edge of the glass, it is time to replace the gasket around
the glass. Visit your fireplace retailer to get the self-adhesive glass gasket and follow the
instructions below for installation.
Do not abuse the glass door by striking or slamming shut. Do not use the fireplace if the glass is
broken.