Operating instructions

36 61D0008
MAINTENANCE
FUEL STORAGE
Wood can be dried sufciently for burning within a few weeks
if protected form rain in a low humidity area. It is better to
cut wood and allow it to dry for a year. In all cases, the wood
should be stacked so that both ends of the sticks are exposed
to the air and protected from rain. The drier the wood, the
more usable heat produced by the re and less likely rapid
accumulation of soot and creosote within the chimney is to
occur. See Chimney Maintenance for information on the
hazards of soot and creosote accumulation. Small quantities
of wood required for re tending must be kept at least 30"
from the replace.
DISPOSAL OF ASHES
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight t-
ting lid. The closed container of ashes should be placed on
a noncombustible oor or on the ground well away from all
combustible materials until they are nally disposed of. If the
ashes are buried or locally dispersed, they should be kept in
the closed container until all cinder has thoroughly cooled.
Ashes should never be placed in a container with combustible
materials.
CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
Creosote, Formation and Need for Removal
hen wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other organic
vapors which combine with expelled moisture to form creo-
sote. The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool chim-
ney ue of a slow-burning re. As a result, creosote residue
accumulates on the ue lining. When ignited, this creosote
makes an extremely hot re.

a year during the heating season to determine
if a creosote buildup has occurred. If creosote
has accumulated it should be removed to

The chimney cap can be removed for inspection, maintenance
and cleaning by removing three screws from the support legs
and lifting upward.
When the replace is new, inspect the chimney often and clean
the chimney any time creosote is seen on the ue walls. Once
you see a pattern of how often creosote is accumulating, you
can determine how often the chimney should be inspected.
Also changes in the outside environmental conditions such as
temperature and humidity or changes in the operation of the
replace can lead to rapid buildup of soot and/or creosote.
Have a a qualied and reputable chimney sweep clean the
chimney or remove creosote or soot with brushes on wooden
or fiberglass poles. Note: Do not use metal pipes,



surface for soot particles to attach to.
Be sure to cover nearby furnishing and arrange some method
of catching soot and creosote particles that may fall during
the chimney cleaning process. If glass doors are installed on
the replace, they should be closed. Extra caution must be
used to avoid damage to the ue damper during the cleaning
process.
In addition to checking and cleaning the chimney on a regular
basis, be sure to inspect the chimney before starting a re at
the beginning of each heating season. Make sure the chimney
is clear from any accumulation of soot, creosote or any other
debris. Make sure all joints are intact.
MHSC does not recommend chemical cleaners because some
may contain elements that corrode the metal parts of the
chimney or replace.
FIREPLACE MAINTENANCE
At the end of each heating season or when the replace will not
be in use for an extended time, the ashes should be removed
and the hearth area should be swept clean. The slow absorption
of moisture into the ashes over a long period of time could
corrode metal replace parts.
At the beginning of each heating season, always operate the
ue damper and make sure it has not become stuck from soot,
creosote, etc.
Keep the lower and upper grille panels clean and free from
dirt and lint accumulation at all times to get the maximum
efciency from your replace.
As you use the replace, expansion and contraction will cause
minor cracking of the hearth, back and side refractory materi-
als. This is normal and unavoidable. If the cracks become large
enough or parts dislodge and metal behind the refractory is
exposed, the refractory panels should be replaced with new
panels. Obtain these panels MHSC replace dealer.
GLASS DOOR MAINTENANCE
For glass door maintenance, see instructions provided with
the glass doors.