Questions about fireplace
designs, installations and more

Maintenance Check-List

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Wood burns better on a light bed of ash, stoves are designed to allow for this. With Mineral fuel, empty the pan regularly to stop ash building up and touching the underside of the grate which can lead to over heating of grate bars and cause subsequent damage.

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Throat plates to be cleared at least monthly or when recommended by the manufacturer.

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Replace Grate, Fire Bricks/Panels and Deflector if they are damaged.

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Check Door Rope Seals regularly

Cast iron unit alongside ceramic rope seals and door rope sealer detail
Stack of split seasoned logs with burning embers glowing behind

Safety Check-List

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Keep all combustibles, including logs at a safe distance from the hot stove.

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Always use the correct fuel for the Fireplace – as recommended by the manufacturer.

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Make sure any external air ventilation grills are not blocked.

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Always use a securely fitted Fire Guard when children are in the house.

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Never leave an open fire unattended without a Spark Guard.

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Get your Fireplace serviced, and necessary maintenance done regularly by Fire and Gas Lifestyles.

ACR Birchdale unit with before and after chimney sweep flue comparison

Chimney Sweeping
Chimneys should be swept at least once a year when your stove is in use. The best time to have your Chimney swept is just before the start of the season or after pro-longed shut down If you are sweeping twice in the year, the second time should be after the peak of the heating season.

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Do’s and Don’ts of Handling Ash

Just to remind those of you who have already have a stove (closed system fireplace), that Spring is now well established and if you are planning not to use your stove for a few weeks then please remember to empty the ash out.

At the end of the heating season, it is appropriate to remove the ashes from your stove because the ashes actually have the potential to draw moisture that can cause rusting of metal components. The acidic nature of the ash combined with moisture can be very destructive to the metal components.

Close-up of grey wood ash and charred remains after burning

6 Uses For Wood Ash:

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Febreze for pets
A handful rubbed into the coat neutralizes the lingering odour.

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Enrich compost
Before the organic compound gets applied to the soil, increase its nutrients by adding in a few ashes. (Too much, will ruin the mix.)

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Block garden pests
Spread evenly around garden beds and pots, slugs and snails don’t like it.

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Melt ice
Some people find it adds traction and de-ices without hurting soil or concrete underneath.

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Cleans stove glass
A damp sponge dipped in the dust then rubbed onto the glass cleans away the build-up. (More stubborn marks – contact us).

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Shine polish
A paste of ash and water makes a nontoxic metal polisher.

Please noteWear gloves when mixing ash with water.

TIP: If you’ve now cleaned out your stove and it’s going to be left for a few months, leave your stove door ajar to allow air to circulate within the stove and the flue or at the very least leave all your air vents open to their fullest setting. This will allow any moisture to evaporate.