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There are several maintenance tips you should take to ensure your pellet stove's safety and proper maintenance. You should vacuum the ash pan every week to prevent overflowing and clean the stove and surrounding vents every three to four months. It’s also important to get a professional inspection every year and install a carbon monoxide detector close to your stove. Be sure to dispose of hot ashes in a closed metal container; store it outside, away from the house. Only use the pellets recommended by your stove's manufacturer, and follow any cleaning and maintenance instructions.

One of the best ways to know your chimney is good to go on any given night is to simply look up into your flue with a flashlight. If you see a thick buildup of creosote—a shiny, dark substance that looks like tar—it’s best to have your fireplace professionally cleaned before you go ahead with the burn. Additionally, having your fireplace professionally inspected once per year can also help increase your peace of mind and keep your family and your home safe.

In general, it will take about 90 minutes to burn the creosote sweeping log by itself, allowing it to work its magic. This may be longer or shorter depending on the conditions of your chimney.

No, you can’t completely fireproof a house. There is always a chance that a fire can break out inside or outside your home. Even if most of the home is built with fireproof materials, a long-burning fire can still cause damage. Still, fireproofing efforts can buy you additional time to evacuate and give you a better chance of salvaging your home after a fire rather than needing to rebuild entirely.