Econoburn EBW SERIES Operator's Manual - page 21
21
Make sure your chimney stays clean. Your ECONOBURN
TM
Wood-Fired Boiler will not produce the
creosote levels that other conventional woodstoves and boilers create, but if you're not using thermal
storage it's likely that some creosote will form. It's always better to be safe and inspect your chimney
once a year.
Keep an eye on your pressure gauge. If you see a drop in pressure over time, it could mean that there
is a leak in your system somewhere. Low water levels can prevent circulation and damage your
equipment.
Be sure to cycle your turbulator arm once every day, and only when the boiler is hot. This will keep
your boiler operating at peak efficiency. If the handle is stuck or difficult to move, DO NOT FORCE IT.
This could sheer the bolts off of the mechanism inside. Wait until the boiler has been in the gasification
mode for a while before attempting to move the lever, and gently work the turbulators free. If you are
consistently experiencing sticky turbulators, you are probably burning wood with a higher moisture
content than is recommended, or you need to work the turbulator arm more often.
Burning potatoes in the lower chamber can help free up sticky turbulators. Just place 2 or 3 decent
sized potatoes on the refractory below the gasification nozzle in the bottom chamber and operate the
boiler normally. In a few hours, depending how much your boiler gasifies, your sticky turbulators
should free up. Your best bet is to burn them over night.
Keep the ashes cleaned out of the combustion chamber, especially from in front of the heat exchanger
port at the rear of the chamber. We recommend that ashes be removed from this area around twice
per week in order to keep the efficiency of your Econoburn at maximum.
If ashes accumulate in the upper firebox, rake them through the gasification nozzle and into the lower
combustion chamber. A thick pile of ashes on top of the refractory in the base of the firebox will
insulate the coal bed from the refractory and reduce the gasification efficiency, or prevent gasification
altogether. We recommend letting your boiler burn down to just hot coals at least a few times per
month to facilitate this type of upper chamber cleaning.
For indoor installations, maintenance of the upper chamber door seal is imperative. Even a slight leak
in this gasket will be immediately noticeable by a creosote smell which some find objectionable in their
home. The best way we have found to prevent this is to brush the door gasket with mineral oil once per
week. The mineral oil keeps the gasket swollen and pliable so that it seals completely each time the
door is closed. Caution: mineral oil is flammable use discretion when applying.
CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
Inspect monthly during heating season. For extra safety, have your chimney inspected by an
accredited professional yearly, prior to the heating season.