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5 MAINTAINING YOUR WOOD HEATING SYSTEM
5.1 Zero clearance wood inbuilt Maintenance
Your new zero clearance wood inbuilt will give many years of reliable service if you use and maintain it
correctly. Some of the internal components of the firebox, such as firebricks, baffles and air tubes, will wear
over time under intense heat. You should always replace defective parts with original parts (see Appendix
7: Exploded Diagram and Parts List). Firing each load hot to begin a cycle as described above will not cause
premature deterioration of the zero clearance wood inbuilt. However, letting the zero clearance wood
inbuilt run with the air control fully open for the entire burn cycles can cause damage over time. The hotter
you run the zero clearance wood inbuilt throughout burn cycles, the more quickly its components will
deteriorate. For that reason, never leave the zero clearance wood inbuilt unattended while a new load is
being fired hot.
5.1.1 Plated Finish Maintenance
If your appliance has a plated finish, use a metal polish and a soft cloth to clean it. Do not use abrasives
such as steel wool, steel pads or an abrasive cleaner for they may scratch the finish.
5.1.2 Glass Door Cleaning
Under normal conditions, your door glass should stay relatively clear. If your firewood is dry enough and
you follow the operating instructions in this manual, a whitish, dusty deposit will form on the inside of the
glass after a week or so of use. This is normal and can be easily removed when the zero clearance wood
inbuilt is cool by wiping with a damp cloth or paper towel and then drying. Never try to clean the glass
when the zero clearance wood inbuilt is hot.
In spring and fall when the zero clearance wood inbuilt is run at lower temperatures, you may see some
light brown stains forming, especially at the lower corners of the glass. This indicates that the fire has been
smoky and some of the smoke has condensed on the glass. When the weather is mild, you may find that
letting the fire go out is better than trying to maintain a continuous fire. Use the technique described above
for building a fire to take the chill off the house.
If you do get brown stains on the glass you can remove them with special cleaners for wood heater glass
doors. Do not use abrasives to clean your zero clearance wood inbuilt's door glass.
The deposits that form on the glass are the best indication of the quality of your fuel and how well you are
doing in operating the zero clearance wood inbuilt. Your goal should be clear glass with no brown stains. If
you continue to see brown stains on the glass, something about your fuel and operating procedure needs to
be changed. Stains on the glass indicate incomplete combustion of the wood, which also means more
smoke emissions and faster formation of creosote in the flue system.
If you see brown streaks coming from the edge of the glass, it is time to replace the gasket around the glass.
Visit your zero clearance wood inbuilt retailer to get the self-adhesive glass gasket and follow the
instructions below for installation.
Do not abuse the glass door by striking or slamming shut. Do not use the zero clearance wood inbuilt if
the glass is broken.
OPERATING & INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRATFORD CF ZERO CLEARANCE WOOD HEATER
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