Your Drolet stove is your best friend during cold weather. To ensure optimum performance and a long operating life, it's important to keep it well maintained! Here's some expert advice on the essential maintenance steps for your stove.

SEASONAL MAINTENANCE

Set aside time before the start of each heating season to perform in-depth maintenance on your wood-burning stove to ensure its proper use and efficiency, and to guarantee the safety of your home. Don't wait for the first cold weather to properly prepare your stove!

 

1. Inspect and replace component

Take the time to inspect your stove's components and assess which ones need replacing. All replacement parts for your Drolet appliance can be found directly in the Replacement Parts section of our website. Simply enter your model’s name and/or serial number (found on the certification plate on the back of your unit).

 

The gasket. A well-sealed door ensures controlled combustion and enhanced safety. It's vital to inspect the door seals at the start of each heating season, and periodically thereafter. Start with a visual inspection - any visible sign of wear or damage can tell you that it's time to replace it (flattened, dry, torn bead, etc.). We recommend you carry out the paper test: when your appliance is cold, open the stove door and close it over a sheet of paper so that the sealing cord presses against the sheet. If it stays in place, the door is sealed at this point. If the sheet falls or moves too easily, the door is not watertight at this point. You may also need to adjust the door hinges to ensure a good seal.

 

Bricks. Bricks and the baffle are not to be neglected when maintaining your stove! Inspect them at the start of each heating season. Bricks protect the steel in the firebox from the direct heat of flames, and over time they can crack or deteriorate. Replace any bricks that appear excessively worn or damaged.

 

Baffle. Located above the secondary air tubes, it performs several functions: controlling the gas flow, reducing emissions and protecting internal components. It is therefore important to keep it in good condition to optimize your stove's operation. If it appears warped, cracked, etc., it's time to replace it!

 

Secondary air tubes. Located at the top of your combustion chamber, under the baffle, secondary air tubes play a crucial role in optimizing combustion. They should be replaced if damaged or bent.

 

All other components. Inspect all other components of your stove. For example, if your glass is cracked, it is essential to replace it before using your stove again.

 

2. Sweep the chimney 

We recommend that you have your chimney swept every year by a professional. A good chimney sweep not only ensures your stove's optimum performance, but also your safety, to avoid chimney fires.

 

REGULAR MAINTENANCE

In addition to the inspection and maintenance points at the start of the season, it's also important to maintain your appliance on a regular basis.

 

1. Empty the ashes

Ash should be removed from the firebox every two to three days of full time heating. Ash should not accumulate excessively in the firebox since it will affect the proper operation of the appliance. The best time to remove ash is in the morning, after an overnight fire when the heater is relatively cold, but there is still a little chimney draft to draw the ash dust into the heater and prevent going out into the room.

 

2. Clean the glass

It may seem insignificant, but it's important to clean your appliance's glass frequently to prevent the build-up of stains that become difficult to remove. Cleaners specifically formulated to clean wood stove glass are ideal for regular maintenance. Avoid using abrasive products that could damage the components around the glass (cord and cast iron). To make sure you're using the right products, check out our accessories section. For those who like old-fashioned tricks, you can also use damp newspaper soaked in ashes to scrub the glass, then finish off the cleaning with a clean cloth to wipe away any residue.

 

As with most other maintenance steps, wait until your stove has cooled down before proceeding. When cleaning the glass, rub gently in a circular motion. This ensures even pressure and prevents scratching.

 

"Whenever you load your appliance, leave it running with the damper fully open for at least 20 minutes. This will go a long way to cleaning your glass and ensuring your stove is primed to burn efficiently for the rest of the day." -  Advice from our Drolet stove expert

 

3. Cleaning surfaces

When you notice that ashes, dust, wood residue, etc. have accumulated on the exterior surfaces of your appliance, you can simply wipe them clean with a soft, damp cloth.

 

4. Refresh paintwork 

Over time, it's perfectly normal for your wood stove's paint finish to need touching up. Make sure you use a heat-resistant paint, which you can find here, in the accessoies section of our site. It's essential that you don't clean or paint the unit while it's hot! Once it has cooled down, lightly sand the surface with steel wool (#000) and wipe off the dust before touching up the paint. 

 

"I recommend touching up the paint twice a year to keep the stove looking good and to prevent rust from forming." - Advice from our Drolet stove expert

 

By following these maintenance tips, you'll get the most out of your wood stove and ensure its longevity. Our experts are here to answer all your questions - don't hesitate to contact them by phone at 1-877-356-6663 or by e-mail at tech@sbi-international.com