To ensure your wood or multi-fuel stove runs safely and efficiently, you should have the stove serviced yearly. Without maintenance, essential moving parts can seize, which can make the oven’s functions fail, or the stovepipe can become corroded, which can cause leaks and smoke damage to your home.
Using a HETAS registered engineer such as The Stove Doctor for all your servicing needs is recommended.
Routine Safety Checks for Stove Maintenance
- You can do a few routine checks to ensure your wood or multi-fuel stove runs efficiently and safely.
- Do not use a stove if it isn’t in total working order. It is hazardous to use a stove that is leaking.
- Perform a thorough inspection of your stove and its components. Look for signs of wear, including warped door panels, cracks in the casing and rust on the metal parts.
- Check to see if the door is secure. If it’s loose, there may be damage that could lead to a fire.
How to Maintain a Wood Stove
- Clean the stove’s burn pot, door and ash pans. Remove the oven door and remove ash from the firepot, the oven and the ash pans. Wipe down the inside to prevent a build-up of dust.
- Check outside the stove. Inspect the bolts holding the stove into the wall, ensuring they are not loose. Inspect the stove pipe for holes and cracks. If wood ash comes out of the pipe, it will not burn correctly.
- Clean the burn pot, oven and grate. Fill the burn pot with a solution of 50 per cent water and 50 per cent white vinegar. Let the pool soak for several hours or overnight.
- Ensure the fire bricks are unbroken and the outer casing is clean.
- Check the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is the metal pipe that transfers heat from the firebox to the oven. If it is full of soot, it will make the stove less efficient.
- Check for cracks and blisters on the cast iron casing. These can indicate a weak point, so you should report any damages for repair as soon as possible.
How to Maintain a Multi-Fuel Stove
- Clean the glass panels on the door. Dirt and dust can reduce the efficiency of your stove, so you should clean the glass daily.
- Check the oven door seal. If the seal is torn or damaged, you’re likely to leak. This will have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of the stove and your home.
- Look at the dampers and check that they are working correctly. If the damper will not open, move or close fully, it could mean a problem.
- Make sure the heat exchanger is unbroken and clean.
- Look at the dampers and check that they are working correctly. If the damper will not open, move or close fully, it could mean a problem.
- Check the flow of the heat exchanger. It should be clean and free of obstructions.
Conclusion
Keeping your wood or multi-fuel stove running at peak efficiency is vital to make sure you get the best heat output possible. Following the above tips and performing regular checks on your stove will help you keep your stove in excellent condition.
Stove Scotland supplies, installs and maintains multi-fuel and wood-burning stoves in West Lothian. We are market experts with a comprehensive knowledge of stoves and fires, working with you to ensure that your stove will perfectly fit the style and dimensions of your room. If you need wood or multi-fuel stoves in Scotland, call us at 01501 760051 now! Let us know how we can be of service to you.
