Cast Iron Wood Burning Stove Maintenance And Cleaning

A cast iron wood burning stove is an efficient source of heat that can add old world charm to a room. Follow these tips to properly maintain and clean your stove for optimum safety and performance.

• Turn it off. Whenever any maintenance or cleaning is being done, make sure the stove is off and cool.
• Clean annually. The stove pipe should be cleaned at least once a year to eliminate creosote, a dangerous, flammable residue left by woodburning stoves.
• Empty the ash. Clean out the ash from the tray regularly to prevent smothering the fire and to ensure maximum heat.
• Check the pipe. Make sure the stove pipe is tight and free of debris.
• Test the door. The door should close and seal tightly, and the handle should turn and latch with ease. If either of these are loose or not working properly, replace or tighten the faulty part to prevent dangerous gases from permeating the home.