Re: [A/S] Cleaning refrigerator flue

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Christopher,

Cleaning the RM series refrigerators can be done without removing the 
unit. The proscribed method is to use compressed air or vacum cleaner 
and a screw driver handle or small hammer.
The chimney/flue above the gas burner is a steel tube and will under the 
right circumstances, rust. Normally a spring cleaning is all that is 
required to provide good service. Actually spiders are more often a 
problem than rust.

Take extreme caution with what ever you stuff up the flue. There is a 
spiral piece of flat metal hanging from a wire in the flue. This metal 
baffle is strategicaly positioned to slow down the up draft to 
concentrate the heat at a point nearest a jet in the cooling tube. 
Leaving out or knocking that baffle loose will significantly reduce the 
performance of the refer on gas. Been there, done that, enough said. It 
is extremely rare that the baffle needs to be removed for cleaning. Most 
rust that does form, does so in the lower parts of the flue.

By removing the burner surround metal plates you can get a clear shot at 
the flue. Start by taping on the flue to dislodge stuff. Then shoot max 
pressure compressed air up the flue to blow out more. Reduce air 
pressure to around 40 psi and blow the rest of the burner area out. Take 
care not to aim the air directly at the burner orifice. The orfice is a 
small brass piece mounted near the left end of the burner tube. Inspect 
the ignitor probe at the burner grate. Make sure it is over the grate 
and 1/8" above it.

If you do not have compressed air a good vacum cleaner will get much of 
the same stuff. Don't forget to tap on the orfice first.

Charlie