MAINTENANCE & AFTERCARE
Maintenance and aftercare: a practical routine
Small checks catch many problems early. Always let the appliance cool, follow its manual and avoid dismantling safety-critical components unless the manufacturer says the task is suitable for the user.
After each burn, weekly and yearly
- After use: watch the fire’s behaviour, note smoke leakage or unusual smells, and empty ash only when cold and as the manual directs.
- Weekly in the heating season: inspect glass, door rope, firebricks, baffle position, air inlets and the visible connector pipe.
- Regularly: test smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms to their instructions and keep permanent ventilation clear.
- At least annually: arrange professional sweeping and a full appliance service. Heavy use, fuel type or the sweep’s findings may require a shorter interval.
Cleaning ash, glass and the stove body
Use only methods approved for your stove’s finishes and glass. Never apply cleaner to hot glass, and avoid abrasive pads that can scratch coatings. Put cold ash into a suitable non-combustible container; apparently cold ash can hide live embers, so store it safely away from combustible materials before disposal. Do not remove every trace of ash if the manual calls for a thin bed.
Wear parts to watch
Door rope and glass seals should close evenly. Firebricks may tolerate small surface cracks but loose or badly broken sections need assessment. Warped baffles, damaged grates, stiff controls, missing fixings and distorted plates can alter combustion. Use genuine or manufacturer-approved parts with the correct size and material; a part that looks similar may not perform the same job.
When to call a professional
Book a competent service technician for persistent smoke, rapid soot or tar build-up, a change in draught, recurring glass blackening, damaged flue components, water ingress, cracked castings, failed seals or uncertainty about installation compliance. Electrical fans, boilers, water-heating connections and alterations to the flue or ventilation need the appropriately qualified trade.
Stop using the stove when safety is uncertain
If a carbon-monoxide alarm sounds, smoke spills into the room, the stove or connector glows, or you suspect a chimney fire, get people to safety and seek emergency or qualified help. Do not relight until the cause has been found and the installation is confirmed safe. General online guidance cannot diagnose the appliance in front of you.
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