Maintenance And Safety - MHSC SB50HB Installation, Operation And Maintenance Manual

SB50HB Series Woodburning Fireplace

MaINTeNaNCe and SaFeTy

FueL STOrage
Wood can be dried sufficiently for burning within a few weeks if protected form rain in a low humidity
area. It is far 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 fire and less likely rapid accumulation of soot and creosote within the
chimney is to occur. See the section of this manual concerning chimney maintenance for information
concerning the hazards of soot a creosote accumulation. Small quantities of wood required for fire
tending must be kept at least 30 inches from the fireplace.
dISpOSaL OF aSHeS
Ashes should be placed in a metal container with a tight fitting lid. The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a noncombustible floor or on the ground well away from all combustible materials pending
final disposal. If the ashes are disposed of by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be
retained 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: When wood is burned slowly, it produces tar and other
organic vapors, which combine with expelled moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapors condense
in the relatively cool chimney flue of a slow-burning fire. As a result, creosote residue accumulates on
the flue lining. When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fire.
The chimney should be inspected at least twice a year during the heating season to determine if a
creosote buildup has occurred.
If creosote has accumulated it should be removed to reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
The chimney cap can be removed for inspection, maintenance and cleaning by removing three screws
from the support legs and lifting upward.
When the fireplace is first in use, inspect the chimney frequently and clean the chimney any time an
accumulation is observed on the flue walls. The frequency of these inspections can be increased or
reduced appropriately after a pattern of accumulation has been established. Please note, however, that
changes in the outside environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity or changes in the
operation of the fireplace can lead to rapid buildup of soot and/or creosote.
To clean the chimney, obtain the services of a qualified and reputable chimney sweep, or remove the
accumulation with brushes on wooden or fiberglass poles. Do not use metal pipes, chains, wires, etc.,
to clean the chimney because such items can scratch the surface of the stainless steel flue which can
shorten the life of the flue and provide a rough 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 fireplace, they
should be closed. Extra caution must be used to avoid damage to the flue 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 fire at the beginning of each heating season. Make sure the chimney is clear from any
accumulation of soot, creosote or any other debris, and that all joints are intact.
MHSC does not recommend chemical cleaners because some may contain elements that corrode the
metal parts of the chimney or fireplace.
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