Jøtul recommends regular maintenance on homes and ductwork. A clean stove offers a better view of the fire, the wood burns better and with less waste. In addition, if you burn good dry firewood, and sweep your chimney regularly, you minimize the risk of soot fires that can damage your chimney. Proper maintenance will extend the life of your product and give you more years of enjoyment from your Jøtul.
Daily maintenance is simple, requiring no special skills or tools. According to Norwegian regulations all homes and stoves should be inspected and chimney swept at least once every four years. These inspections are performed by the local chimney sweep association. Here are some little tricks from Jøtul and the chimney sweep association.
Trick 1 Cleaning soot from the glass
All Jøtul stoves are equipped with an air-wash system to keep the glass clean during operation. If stained, it is usually sufficient to burn intensely for a short period of time so that the heat and air sweep of the glass will burn off the soot particles adhering to the glass.
If the glass is still covered with soot, we recommend the following method: moisten a crumpled piece of newspaper and carefully dip it into the ash that remains on the bottom of the stove. Rub the paper against the glass with the ashes on the glass. Repeat as many times as necessary until the soot is released. At the end, dry the glass with a dry paper to remove the soot, now that it has become loose. This method is more ecological, efficient and cheaper than traditional window cleaners.
Trick 2 Empty the ash, but not too much
Many people clean their stove or fireplace of ash too often. A bed of ashes at the base of the hearth is good. This layer of ash insulates and protects the base of the hearth and the soil underneath. The embers left over from the previous fire also facilitate the lighting of the fire. Ashes constitute the non-flammable part of firewood, mainly minerals.
As ash is an insulating material, we can find small embers among the ash hours or even days after the fire has been consumed. When emptying ashes, extreme caution should be exercised and a bucket with a handle, both made of metal, should be used. The bucket should be allowed to cool until there is no trace of embers left. Ash cannot be composted, but it can be used as fertilizer when the ash comes from untreated firewood. Alternatively, we can dispose of it together with other waste.
Trick 3 Annual maintenance of fireplaces and stoves
At least once a year, Jøtul recommends removing the baffle and combustion plates (double walls) to check that they are in good condition. It is also recommended to check the grill and the base for possible damage. Brush the inside of the combustion chamber of soot particles. The internal parts of the firebox, especially the double walls and the baffle, wear out over time and are subject to replacement.
The frequency of replacement of these parts depends on the frequency of use and the demands placed on the stove or fireplace. It is also very important to check the sealing gaskets around the glass and door and replace them in case of wear.
Trick 4 Chimney sweeping
Fred Ekeberg of the Oslo Fire Department informs us that any chimney should be swept at least every four years. If you or your chimney sweep detects accelerated soot formation, you should increase the frequency of chimney sweeping.
A clean stove or hearth and a clean chimney are fundamental to achieve an ecological and efficient combustion, as well as being the basis for preventing damage to the chimney, or in the worst case, a soot fire in the chimney. Non-clean-burning fireplaces generate more waste and particulate matter than modern dual-fuel stoves. Wet firewood is also a common source of soot. If abnormal soot accumulations are detected, your chimney sweep can instruct you on proper techniques and recommend corrective measures.
