So while your stove is cold and not in use here are the must do things to make sure your stove lasts through the years and gives you the best performance.
1: Clean the chimney.
Having the chimney swept once a year is essential to prevent chimney fires and keep your stove running at its full potential. To do this its best to call a Guild of Master Chimney Sweeps approved sweep. A chimney sweep will clean the chimney and in the process spot any potential issues with your stove and system, its always worth listening to any advice they have. Many chimney sweeps will offer a cheaper rate in the spring a summer.
We recommend Matt Clark an excellent local sweep.
2: Check the rope in the doors.
The rope in the doors is a gasket to make sure the stove closes with an air tight seal (so you can be in full control of air going into the stove via the air vents). Stove rope will degrade over time and use, if it is no longer sealing the door shut it will need replacing. Again, your local chimney sweep can do this for you but its quick and easy to do yourself. Envirostoves or your local stove shop will sell stove rope in a variety of sizes. You will need rope of the right diameter and enough of it to replace what is currently on your stove. You will also need a pot of heat proof glue or silicone. These items will normally cost less than £15.
Before adding the new rope to your door ensure all the old rope and glue is clear. Its easiest to do this with the door taken off its hinges and put on a table. First take off all the old rope, its best to scrape it away with an old screwdriver and use a wire brush to ensure the metal is absolutely clean. Once clear add a bead of glue around the grove then press the new rope into place. Leave to dry for several hours before putting the stove door back on.
The same process can be done for the seals around the glass. To remove the glass first use WD40 to lubricate the screws or clips holding the glass in place.
3: Clean the inside of your stove.
If you're now unlikely to be using your stove for some time, its best to clear it out. First be sure the fire is completely out and no hot embers are in the ash. Empty the ash pan and take out any excess ash. Use a vacuum to clear up inside the stove, removing the internal components as you go. Using a wire brush on the grate bars will help to ensure they are able to move freely.
The glass can be cleaned using a variety of products but ensure nothing is left damp as the metalwork will show rust.
4: Check the fire bricks.
Your stove will most likely have fire bricks made of vermiculite, cladding out around the inside of the fire box. These are to reflect heat forward into the room. These will break up over time and need replacing. If your bricks are cracked don't worry they will still be doing their job just fine. However if they are completely broken up then it may be time to replace them. Again your chimney sweep will be able to do this for you or you can do it yourself. You can buy a new set of fire bricks specific to your stove from the manufacturer or you can buy a sheet of vermiculite board and cut down the bricks yourself. Of course the do it yourself option is usually the cheapest. Envirostoves or your local stove shop will sell sheets of vermiculite board. This can be cut easily with even a blunt wood saw, so just use your old bricks as a stencil to cut out new ones.
5: Air vents.
Now that your stove may be left unused for perhaps a few months its best to leave all air vents open. Allowing a flow of air through the stove and up the chimney will help prevent damp and rust.
6: Clean the outside of the stove.
Usually a simple dust with a dry cloth or brush will suffice. Avoid using any water or cleaning products as this will cause paint to peal and even rust. For a more thorough clean use a rag with a spray of WD40 to give the stove an extra shine.
After years of use a new coat of paint may be needed. For this a stove spray paint that matches your appliance will be needed. Envirostoves or your local stove shop will sell cans of spray paint. For a full paint job may be best to have the stove professionally removed, resprayed and then reinstalled. If the paint just needs touching up its best to cover over all around the stove using plastic sheeting and newspaper. Ensure the stove surface is clean and dry. Ensure the area is well ventilated and spraying light layers to ensure an even coat. Allow the paint to dry for several hours and then light the stove and bring it up to temperature. This will cure/ bake on the paint. This process may smell and even give off a little smoke so keep the area well ventilated until its done.
For more information please contact us.
Comments
Post a Comment