Outdoor Furnace: Things to Prepare for the Summer Shutdown

Summer Shutdown time is coming! Here is a simple checklist of items you will need to prepare your Outdoor Wood Stove to be off for the summer months: 

1. Shovel / Rake/ Hoe (or whatever tools you use to clean the firebox)

2. Shop Vac

3. Wire Brush for tube cleaning (GX Only - GX10 HERE and GX15/30 HERE)

4. Flexible Rod tube cleaning tool (GX Series Only - available HERE)

5. Outdoor Boiler Water Treatment (Available HERE or Click the Button Below)

6. Metal container for ashes

7. Door Seal Replacement Parts (if needed - Available HERE)

8. Door Seal Replacement Instructions (Found HERE)

9. Flat Head Screwdriver (if needed to remove old door seal)

10. Make sure your Chimney Cap is in place (If not, available HERE)

11. Wire brush for cleaning inside of the chimney.

Click HERE for Full SUMMER SHUTDOWN Instructions

Note that these instructions did not include an important annual maintenance step listed in the owner's manual: Remove the chimney cap and clean out the chimney with a wire brush. This step can be accomplished in the fall if preferred but is a more logical part of the Summer Shutdown procedures.

Visit our online store OutdoorBoiler.com to browse for more outdoor wood boiler parts!

Operating Furnace FAQs:

• Am I burning too much wood?

You may be. Is the wood properly seasoned? Have you cleared the firebox? High wood consumption can be caused by a number of factors.

• 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 water treatment

4. Use seasoned wood

5. Keep fire in the middle of the firebox

6. Clean tubes regularly

Maintenance FAQs

• Why is outdoor boiler water treatment important?

The boiler chemical (corrosion inhibitor) that you would apply to your furnace water coats the inside of the furnace to reduce the effects of corrosion on the metal. 

Click HERE to order our Liquid Armor Water Treatment and other outdoor wood furnace parts. Every gallon of Liquid Armor comes with FREE 2 sample bottles. Then submit your water sample to Outdoor Boiler Lab and get 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 house.

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.