Stove Maintenance

It is important that your appliance is regularly serviced at least annually

Cleaning

Under some circumstances soot can quickly build up on the throat plate and adjacent areas. The throat plate should be removed and checked monthly, and any debris stripped off. Similarly, clean the upper surface of the firebox.

Remove the firebrick linings and throat plate, inspect all gasketing on doors, glass etc, and re-order any items that may need replacing.

With a wire brush clean inside the appliance paying particular attention to the small inlet holes of the air wash on the inside, above the fire door.

Sweep the chimney and confirm that it is sound. Examine all joints in the flue pipe etc, and re-seal if necessary. Re-assemble and leave with the air inlet and air wash control about half way open. This will allow a free flow of air through the appliance thus preventing moisture and condensation from building up inside the stove and chimney.

Chimney Sweeping

Sweeping should be carried out with an appropriate sized bristle brush and rods to suit chimney size and type. As with all appliances regular sweeping of the flue is essential to avoid danger of blockage and the escape of poisonous fumes. Access for cleaning should be incorporated in the chimney (e.g. Soot door or access through the register plate).

Any existing chimney should be swept prior to installation of the appliance, and swept again a second time within one month of regular use to establish frequency of sweeping required. This should be done by a competent person such as a NACS chimney engineer who will provide a Certificate Of Chimney Sweeping.

The whole flue way including the outlet must be swept at least twice per burning season. It is important that the flue ways, flue pipe and chimney be cleaned prior to lighting the appliance after a prolonged shut down period.

Door Glass

The door glass should remain clear during normal burning. However, under certain conditions, such as burning at a low rate or damp wood, or over-night burning, the glass may become somewhat blackened. To remedy this, operate the appliance at a fast rate. Alternatively when the stove is cold, open the door and clean the inside face of the glass with a damp cloth or with glass cleaner. A piece of cloth moistened with vinegar and dipped in wood ash (not coal ash) will provide a good soft scourer to remove the soot without scratching the glass.

Stove body and paintwork

The outer finish of the appliance is a durable high temperature paint. Do not allow moisture to remain on the appliance whilst cold or surface rust may form.

The high temperature paint should not require attention for some time, depending on use. The hotter the fire burns the sooner repainting will be necessary. Aerosol tins of paint are available for complete refurbishing.

Before repainting make sure that the fire is out and the stove is cold.

• Remove the door glass.
• Lightly wire brush, or rub with wire wool, the body of the appliance to remove any loose paint or rust.
• Mask or remove items such as brass work.
• Any adjacent brickwork, mantelpiece, hearth etc, should be carefully masked for quite a distance around the appliance. This precaution is to prevent discolouration of the surrounding brickwork or wall paper etc.
• Re-spray in a well ventilated area, avoid breathing the vapour. Refer to safety instructions on paint cans.
• When the paint is dry refit the door glass and any other parts previously removed.
• Leave the appliance for eight hours before lighting a fire.
• Burn slowly for the first four hours, then build up heat slowly to gradually cure paint.

Note: Use genuine Arada touch up spray as some paints interact. This could ruin the finish and invalidate the guarantee.

Preparing for extended periods of non-use / summer

Please ensure that your stove is left clean and moving components are well lubricated for the summer months (during periods of prolonged non use). If possible store the throat plate outside of the stove, check all moveable components, at regular intervals, to ensure they are moving freely.

Allow air movement through the stove, by opening the air wash and primary air inlet (s) controls to about half way open or leave the door ajar. This will allow a free flow of air through the appliance thus preventing moisture and condensation forming inside the stove and chimney. Such preventative maintenance can ensure your stove stays in the best condition for the coming winter months.