Outdoor Wood Boiler Summer Shutdown: Things to Prepare!
Step 1 of 10 - 2023 Ultimate Summer Shutdown Checklist
It's almost summertime! Even though it may not feel like it yet, warmer weather is on its way. So it's time to start thinking about your summer shutdown checklist.
For those of us who heat our homes with an outdoor wood furnace, planning for the end of the heating season is not as simple as pressing a button or turning a switch.
Shutting down your outdoor wood stove for the season might be simple; nevertheless, performing the whole process properly is essential for a variety of reasons, including extending the life of your stove.
It's also a great time to clean, inspect, and make any necessary adjustments or repairs to the system before the frigid winter sets in.
We've compiled a list of the Top 10 key Summer Shutdown items for you to be able to handle the Summer Shutdown! We have included the first part - Step 1: The Prep Items
Be sure you get everything you need NOW so that when you are ready to complete the Summer Shutdown Checklist (when the weather cooperates), you will be ready!
Here is a simple checklist of items you will need to prepare for your outdoor wood furnace to be off for the summer months:
1. Shovel / Rake/ Hoe - these tools will be used in cleaning the firebox. You can also use any other tools.
2. Shop Vac
3. Wire Brush for tube cleaning (For GX Series model Only - GX10 HERE and GX15/30 HERE)
4. Flexible Rod tube cleaning tool (GX Series Only - available HERE)
5. Water Treatment (Available HERE) - A furnace without water treatment is like a car engine without oil. You don't want a furnace with water in it that hasn't been properly treated sitting idle over the summer.
6. Metal container for ashes
7. Door Seal Replacement Parts (if needed - Available HERE) - Because the door gasket on your outdoor boiler wears out over time, it should be replaced every 2-3 years, but it may be sooner in some cases.
8. Door Seal Replacement Instructions (Click HERE)
9. Flat Head Screwdriver (if needed to remove old door seal) - You can also use pliers, screwdrivers, or other tools as necessary in removing the old gasket.
10. Make sure your Chimney Cap is in place - For HE and GH Series click HERE, for GX Series click HERE)
11. Wire brush for cleaning inside of the chimney.
Note that these instructions did not include an important annual maintenance step listed in the owner's manual: Remove the chimney cap and clean out the chimney with a wire brush. This step can be completed in the fall if desired, but it is more sensible to do it during the Summer Shutdown.
For more information, click HERE to read our newsletter on this topic.