Vermont Castings Encore 2550 Installating And Operation Manual page 32

Encore Woodburning Stove
8. Clean any excess cement from around the chan-
nel, then let the cement that holds the new gasket dry
thoroughly.
Adjust the Door If Necessary
The stove's door(s) may need adjustment after you
have regasketed it. Initially, it may require loosening to
accommodate the new gasket; after a few weeks, it
may need tightening to compensate for compression of
the new gasket. The directions for adjusting the doors
are on Page 29-30.
Permanent Encore Gaskets
Other gaskets form seals between non-moving parts,
but these are not subject to the same wear and dete-
rioration as gaskets on moving parts. It is unlikely that
you will ever need to replace these gaskets unless the
involved parts are disassembled and then put back
together. If this is the case, the job should be done only
by a qualified service technician.
5/16" diameter gasket seals the following parts:
•The flue collar to the stove back
•The lower fireback to the sides
The Chimney System
Creosote
Your Encore is designed to reduce creosote build-up
significantly. However, regular chimney inspection and
maintenance must still be performed. For safety, good
stove performance, and to protect your chimney and
chimney connector, inspect your chimney and chimney
connector on a regular schedule. Clean the system if
necessary. Failure to keep the chimney and connector
system clean can result in a serious chimney fire.
When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar, organic
vapors and moisture that combine to form creosote.
The creosote vapors condense in the relatively cool
chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creo-
sote residue accumulates on the flue lining. When ignit-
ed, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire within the
flue system that can damage the chimney and overheat
adjacent combustible material. If a significant layer of
creosote has accumulated —1/8" (3mm) or more — it
should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
If you do experience a chimney fire, act promptly
to:
•
Close the damper and thermostat lever.
•
Get everyone out of the house.
•
Call the Fire Department.
32
You should inspect the system every two weeks during
the heating season as part of a regular maintenance
schedule. To inspect the chimney, let the stove cool
completely. Then, using a strong light, sight up through
the flue collar into the chimney flue. If it is not possible
to inspect the flue system in this fashion, the stove must
be disconnected to provide better viewing access.
Clean the chimney using a brush the same size and
shape as the flue liner. Flexible fiberglass rods are used
to run the brush up and down the liner, causing any
deposits to fall to the bottom of the chimney where they
can be removed through the clean-out door.
Clean the chimney connector by disconnecting the sec-
tions, taking them outside, and removing any deposits
with a stiff wire brush. Reinstall the connector sections
after cleaning, being sure to secure the joints between
individual sections with sheet metal screws.
If you cannot inspect or clean the chimney yourself,
contact your local Vermont Castings' Dealer or a profes-
sional chimney sweep.
Annual Maintenance
Every Spring, at the end of the heating season, perform
a thorough cleaning, inspection and repair:
•
Thoroughly clean the chimney and chimney connec-
tor.
•
Inspect the chimney for damage and deterioration.
Replace weak sections of prefabricated chimney.
Have a mason make repairs to a masonry chimney.
•
Inspect the chimney connector and replace any
damaged sections.
•
Check gasketing for wear or compression, and re-
place if necessary.
•
Inspect and clean the catalytic element, and vacuum
out the ash at the bottom of the back plate after re-
moving the lower fireback. Lightly clean the refracto-
ry assembly that houses the element but be careful
not to damage the refractory material, which is very
fragile.
•
Check door and damper handles for tightness. Ad-
just if needed.
•
Check heat shield screws. Tighten as necessary.
•
Clean dust from the inner sides of bottom, rear and
connector heat shields.
•
Remove ashes from the ash pan and replace with
moisture absorbing material (such as cat litter) to
keep the stove interior dry.
•
Touch up the paint on black stoves.
2000956