Missing This Step Kills Your Outdoor Furnace Chimney Cap
Why Cleaning Your OWN Chimney is Crucial
Step 7 of 10 - 2019 Summer Shutdown Checklist
Your outdoor wood boiler owner's manual states that each year you must REMOVE the chimney cap, and clean the inside of the chimney.
We recommend using a wire brush to clean the inside of the chimney, and then using a shop vac to remove all ash and creosote dust.
Unfortunately, this critical maintenance item is often overlooked. And then we get MANY calls from frantic customers who say...
I CAN'T REMOVE MY CHIMNEY CAP!!!
A chimney cap this is NOT removed every year will be very difficult to remove. It is not that the chimney cap is damaged in any way, but rather it becomes stuck and most customers have to hammer so hard on the cap to remove it, that it is destroyed.
This is because a thick layer of creosote has basically WELDED the chimney cap in place.
Even if it destroys your chimney cap to remove it, this STILL must be done -the chimney cap must be removed, and the chimney must be cleaned and vacuumed out.
And since chimney caps are mandatory, if you have not done this, and you must destroy your chimney cap to remove it, new chimney caps are available by clicking this link HERE and other outdoor boiler chimney parts.
Just don't be that guy who says: "I don't need to clean out the inside of my chimney - I can ignore the owner's manual!"
If you ignore this critical maintenance item, your outdoor wood furnace will die an early death! Sometimes thick layers of ash and creosote from inside the chimney that eat through the steel of an outdoor boiler...PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR OUTDOOR WOOD STOVE.
As always, our goal is to enable you to get the MAX life expectancy from your outdoor boiler! These important maintenance items are critical!
Visit our online store OutdoorBoiler.com for more outdoor wood boiler parts!
Coming Soon - Part 8!
Operating Furnace FAQs:
- Can I leave my Outdoor Wood Burner over the weekend?
You may have someone "feed" your furnace for you or you may lower the thermostat temperature.
- Should I turn my thermostat down at night?
No, the lower the water temperature will cause the use of more wood to recover.
- What are the critical items to operate and maintain my furnace efficiently?
1. Keep water full
2. Manage ash
3. Use a Corrosion Inhibitor. Click HERE for our Liquid Armor Outdoor Boiler Water Treatment
4. Use seasoned wood
5. Keep fire in the middle of the firebox
6. Clean tubes regularly
Maintenance FAQs
- Why is water treatment important?
The chemical (water treatment) coats the inside of the furnace to reduce the effects of corrosion on the metal. Untreated boiler water will start to eat holes in steel immediately upon contact UNLESS the water is properly treated with a special wood boiler water treatment that has been formulated to protect the exact grade of steel in your furnace.
Click HERE to order our Liquid Armor Water Treatment and other outdoor wood furnace parts and send us your water sample for FREE Water Test.
- How often do I need to Inspect my Chimney/Flue
Inspect chimney and flue monthly and clean as needed. Clean chimney and flue annually. Perform cleaning and maintenance only when no fire is present in the firebox and ashes are cooled completely.
- Why is ash management important?
If the ash becomes wet it is corrosive to the metal of the furnace. If the level of ash is too thick in the water box it does not allow for efficient heat transfer to the water in the water jacket of the furnace. The temperature of the water in the jacket is used to heat your home.
Troubleshooting
- Why am I not getting hot water?
Check that the hot water system is connected properly. Check if the heat exchanger is partially or totally clogged.
- Why does my furnace continue to burn when it is not operating?
Check the door seal, door adjustment, and solenoid.
- I can't find a leak in my furnace. Why am I losing water?
Outdoor Wood Burning Boilers use a non-pressurized system, this means that the existing heating system is exposed to the air. Since the water in the system can and will be warmer than the air, there will be evaporation of the water in the system. The water must be checked and adjusted at least once a month, sometimes more.
Be the HERO to your family and Be Prepared so you can keep your family warm and toasty while saving from your heating bills and avoiding the expense of costly repairs for your outdoor boiler!