SWAN - Solid Waste Alaska Network

Most used oil burners require thorough annual cleanings. Some companies can perform this annual cleaning for you have to pack up the burner-- the top heater part-- and send it to the company. You have to pay for shipping. They perform the full cleaning and then send it back. Depending on the type of burner and company, this might cost about $100-$200 (excluding shipping).

One of the most valuable pieces of advice is:

. If you don’t watch what you’re putting into the burner, the most common problem you will encounter will be plugged strainers, filters, and injectors’ nozzles. These problems are big headaches! Think of your used oil burner as a car, snowmobile or boat. You wouldn't put dirty fuel in any of these!

Container management will help you keep used oil clean during storage.
Click to the right on the sun for further information about container management.

Strainers on your used oil burner tank are also extremely helpful to filter out debris that might be in your oil. See the next step of this tutorial for information about strainers.

Cleaning out the ash from each end of the heater at regular maintenance intervals is important to keep your burner running efficiently. Having a safe ladder or platform near your burner is helpful for cleaning. You can tell when you need to clean out the ash by recording what the hour meter on the pump reads each time. A rake and grounded shop vacuum can be used to remove the ash from the heat exchanger. Your manual will have further information about cleaning the ash that is specific to your type of burner.

Caution: Always protect yourself with safety glasses, rubber gloves, and respirators when cleaning any used oil burners. For information about safety products, click here.

Bi-annual and annual inspections should include cleaning the primary oil burner cylinder along with replacing the nozzle, electrodes and small thermo discs located on the primary burner and on the end of the assembly. After starting your burner each time after maintenance, it’s a good idea to check the draft over the flame to maintain the correct flow of flue gases.

The following maintenance schedule was written by Dennis Lundine of DEC and is given as a recommendation only and should be adjusted to meet your community’s needs and condition of the used oil burner. The items should be checked either daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly as needed, depending on the activity of your burner:

Activity

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Yearly

Burner Inspection

Electrical connection and wires should be checked inspected annually for loose connections, bad wires, burned or wires that appear to be cracking from burner heat generated

Nozzle & electrode tip cleaning and adjustment *

Checking for Correct Draft *

Cleaning tank strainers *

Cleaning in line Strainers

Cleaning check valves *

Cleaning/vacuuming burner boxes

Nozzle Cleaning and Adjustment *

Vacuum heat exchanger or burner box area

Cleaning preheater or heating blocks-this should be done only by factory trained individuals *

Heating Stack should be cleaned with a stack brush *

Collection tanks and containers for leaks and spills

Tank drain valves should be closed and locked.

All used oil containers and drums lids and bungs should be tight sealed

Containers and drums located outside the facility that are subjected to rain and snow should be covered with a tarp, board or shelter

Drain water from collection and holding tanks