Not a big fan of these stoves, this came from your manual.
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Soot and Flyash - Formation and Need for Removal
The products of combustion will contain small particles of flyash. The flyash will collect in the exhaust venting system and restrict the flow of flue gases. Incomplete combustion, such as occurs during startup, shutdown, or incorrect opera- tion 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 per month (of heavy use) to determine if cleaning is necessary. Corn has a high ash content.
Daily Maintenance • Surfaces on the front of the heater will be extremely hot during operation. Always wear heat resistant gloves
to perform periodic maintenance.
• Using a wooden stick, tap the side heat exchangers that are located on the left and right sides of the firebox. When you open the door, they are located directly inside to the left and right. When you tap the sides with the wooden stick the loose fly ash will drop out of these holes.
• Inspect inside heater for excessive ash build up. You will learn some fuels produce more ash than others. If excessive, remove the inside ash clean-outs. Once you have cleaned out the ashes, replace the clean-outs. Depending on your fuel and use, these clean-outs may be removed only weekly.
• If clinkers develops in the firepot,clean thoroughly. You may have to do this once or twice a day depending on the moisture content of the corn. If this is not cleaned out, it could cause the agitator to jam. USSC highly recommends an additive (see Fuel Additive) be added to your corn to eliminate these clinkers. Contact your local dealer for avail- ability and cost. You will need this additive if the agitator “fingers” develop an accumulation or build-up.
• The clinkers on the agitator and burnpot are easily removed when soaked in warm water for 10 minutes.
• The ash pan (especially the model 6041I) should be cleaned out on a daily basis or as needed depending ash build-up.
SPECIAL CLEANING/OPERATIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
After cleaning or when operating the heater, you need to make sure that “both” clean-outs are in their proper position. If left out or placed incorrectly, the combus- tion air is effected greatly and the heater will not burn properly.
Also, make sure that the ash dumps on each side of the damper are pushed in completely. This will also effect the com- bustion airWeekly Maintenance
• Shut down the heater as directed in the operating instructions. Allow the heater to cool to room temperature. Re- move the small clean-out slides in the lower corners of the firebox. Tap the sides of the burn chamber with a wooden stick. Do not tap the firewall behind the burn box as it may damage the ceramic firebrick. Scrape the fly ash from the clean-out chambers toward the front of the burn chamber. Remove the fly ash from the burn chamber and replace the clean-outs.
• Remove the ash pan and dump the ash into a metal container.
• Cleaning of the exhaust system will depend upon the ash and debris content of your fuel. If your fuel has a high ash content and/or significant debris in it, your exhaust system will require weekly cleaning. Cleaner fuels will allow for monthly cleaning of the exhaust system. Remove the exhaust pipe from the back of your heater and remove any ash that may have collected in the pipes. Replace the pipes to the heater and seal with high temperature seal tape. If you have installed proper clean out tees you will not have to take the chimney sections apart.
Spring Cleaning
When the heating season is over make sure that you clean out all of the fuel in the hopper, firebox area, ash pan and firepot area. Corn and any ash can accumulate moisture over the summer months causing the unit to rust and the fuel to mold. Corn left in the unit will attract mice and can cause internal wiring and insulation damage.
When the unit is cleaned out, take the venting apart, clean out the fly ash, rinse the venting out with a water hose and let dry, take the draft fan off and clean, clean out all areas such as back heat exchanger and lubricate the auger, auger tube, firepot area, agitator shaft and bearings and hopper area with a light oil (something like Pam cooking oil works great to coat the inside of the unit and the moving parts). Clean the glass, doors and outer cabinet so that you are ready for the next heating season. Use of a wet/dry vacuum makes all cleaning easier.
