Frequently asked questions

Simple answers to your most common questions

Why is the product creating smoke?

Possible reasons:

What is a properly connected product?
It is a product that is connected to a chimney according to the manufacturer’s technical instructions.
What is a defective chimney?
  • chimney made from non-quality materials (asbestos or brass pipes),
  • a chimney with inadequate height,
  • a chimney with inadequate diameter,
  • a chimney with a disadvantage position – sheltered by high-rise buildings, trees or other obstacles hindering the air circulation around the top of the chimney,
  • a chimney constructed beneath the ridge of the roof,
  • inadequately plastered chimney – air gets in through joining funnels that intercepts gas flow,
  • a chimney with poorly installed cleaning doors, or without them,
  • irregularly cleaned chimney
  • irregularly cleaned chimney (during normal operation, especially with damp fuel, deposition of soot and tar that need to be cleaned). Collected soot and resin reduce the cross section and make gas flow more difficult. The risk of fire in the chimney increases if regular control and chimney cleaning are ignored.
What should be the minimum height of a chimney?
First of all, we must be aware that a chimney has two heights. The first height is the total height that extends from the bottom to the top of the chimney. The second height of the chimney is the effective height and the most important one. It extends from the point of connection of the product to the chimney, and all the way up to the top of the chimney. The effective height of the chimney should be at least 4 m.
What are unfavorable weather conditions?
Unfavorable weather conditions refer to the unfavorable weather for starting the fire, or when outdoor temperature is relatively high, particularly in the afternoon. Before starting a fire, it is necessary to warm up the chimney to a temperature that is higher than the outside temperature.
Is it necessary to provide fresh air flow into the room?
The room where the heating element is installed needs to have sufficient flow of fresh air for burning, particularly when starting a fire. If it is not provided, it is necessary to open a door or a window for a while.
Why do some parts of furnace get damaged?
The long-term demand of a heating element to deliver far higher temperatures than prescribed by the manufacturer, or by excessive burning in order to heat a much larger space than it is actually possible with this heating element.
What is the best way to maintain the enameled stove plate?
After the first morning burning, while the plate is lukewarm, wash it with a kitchen sponge and regular dish detergent then wipe it with a cloth.
How to maintain the glass? Removing the soot from the glass.
The construction solution ensured that the glass on the furnace door is always clean. If you are burning dry wood or solid fuel with appropriate quality, and if chimney is properly working, then the burning will also be good and the glass won’t get any soot.

When soot appears on the glass, it is enough to briefly intensify the heat, which when combined with the circulation of air will remove the soot particles that caught on the glass.

If the glass is still covered with soot, we recommend the following:

  • cleaning can be done with regular glass cleaning products
  • soak a crumpled piece of newspaper, soak it in ash and rub it on the glass. The soot will slowly release from the glass. Then use a dry piece of paper and remove the particles from the glass. This cleaning method does not include any chemicals, it is responsible towards the environment, efficient and affordable.
How to maintain the surface of stoves and fireplaces?
By using fireproof Thermodur paint that can be purchased through authorized Plamen d.o.o. maintenance, packaged in a 0,75 kg or 400 ml spray.
What is the difference between fireclay, cast iron and tin products?
The advantage of the cast iron products is primarily in their durability at high temperatures – when it comes to fireclay, there is a chance of it breaking after using solid fuel during firing. Cast iron parts create equal heat throughout entire surface, and maintain it longer than tin products.
How to increase the durability of the feed?
The main reason why the feed burns out quickly is the untimely discharge of the ash from the ashtray. When the ash reaches the feed level, it does not have any cooling and therefore it burns quickly. More frequent discharge of the ashtray will provide longer duration of the feed. In addition, in most cases the air necessary for burning also comes through the ashtray, which will then be disabled if the ash that is not discharged reduces its flow. When using the products that do not have classic feed, it has been suggested that due to longer fire and heat maintenance it should be recommended to place a layer of sand or ash at the bottom of the firing furnace.
Is the ash suction recommended?
WARNING: cleaning and eventual ash suction should be done only when the furnace and the ashes cool off.
Can coal be used in Plamen’s products?
No, the products are intended for firewood and wood briquettes only. The list of appropriate fuels is located on the page 2 of technical instructions, under the title Fuel.
Installation of reduction on the chimney opening?
Reductions should not be installed as it prevents certified usage of the product and can lead to:

  • creation of smoke
  • improper work
  • insufficient efficiency
  • damage to the product
Where can I buy spare parts?
Spare parts can be purchased from the manufacturer and authorized service providers.
How long is the period in which the manufacturer ensures the spare prats?
The entire life span of the product, i.e. at least seven years from the last sold product of that type.
When does the customer bear the costs of servicing the product if the product is under warranty?
If the service provider determines that the product is technically correct, the service costs are borne by the customer according to the valid pricelist of the authorized service center. (Note: in the case this mostly relates to inadequate and bad chimneys and improper connection of the product to the chimney).
When and how to clean the product?
The product must be cleaned before every heating season, and during the season if necessary. It should be cleaned only when it is cold. When it comes to cookers, the top plate should be removed, while the furnace is cleaned with other products. Soot is removed from the inside by using appropriate brush, and a scraper is used to remove the ashes and the soot from the cleaning opening. Do not forget about the gaskets around the door and the glass, and replace them if they are damaged.
How to use the stove oven, especially when roasting bread or other dough, without burning the top?
  • the flue gas damper must be pushed inside.
  • the oven must be heated to j170-190 C before placing the preparation in the oven.
  • only one small piece of wood should be place to the fire, and bake the entire time on low heat to bake the preparation evenly from the top and the bottom. It is recommended that the baking tray where the preparation is placed is turned over once during the baking process.
  • quick heating and stronger heat of the cooking plate will be achieved if the flue gas valve is open and the button is pulled out.

Can I install a heat exchanger (water tank) on products that are not intended for central heating?
This is not possible due to their construction design and the fact that they do not have an attestation (certificate) for central heating.
Can a product with built-in heat exchanger (water tank) be used without the connection to the heating system?
The product with built-in heat exchanger should not be used without connecting to the central heating system. The fire should not be burned for any reason, until the system is fully filled with water. Otherwise, severe damage may occur. The central heating product is not intended for use as a regular stove/fireplace.
How to select a central heating product, and what is its capability to warm up space?
A central heating product that uses solid fuel cannot be selected roughly according to the space it will be heating by looking only at the space expressed in m2 or m3. Before selecting a product, it is necessary to firstly calculate the central heating for a selected space by an authorized specialist. The calculation will provide information on how much power the product needs to be able to warm up the required space, and select the appropriate product accordingly. Plamen’s products for central heating have a power output of 7.5 kW for water (expect the Marina products whose power is 6 kW).
How many liters of water does the boiler/heat exchanger contain?
The information can be found in the product instruction leaflet and brochure.
How much power in kW do the central heating products give in the system and how much in the product itself?
The information about the power can be found in the product instructions and the brochure. Central heating products have two power data. Nominal power and water power, where the first figure shows the power the product generates by direct heating of the space in which it is located, and by heating the water, while the second figure shows the amount of power the product is given by heating the water. The water power of Plamen’s products is 7.5 kW (or 6 kW with Marina products).
Can central heating products be connected to an open or closed system?
Products such as Termo Glas, Barun Termo, Barun Insert Termo and Tena Termo must be connected exclusively to an open central heating system, while Marina products can be connected to both open and closed central heating systems.
Is the warranty valid if the central heating products are not put into operation by a licensed pluming company?
The product will no longer be under warranty under those instances. The mounting, connection to the system, commission and assurance of proper operation must be carried out in accordance with the rules of the profession, and performed by qualified professional staff with full respect of applicable norms of state, regional and municipal levels in the country where the device is being used. Mounting must be performed only by authorized personnel that will issue a certification/work order to a customer. The customer must keep this confirmation and show it to the manufacturer at his request as proof that the installation of the product was performed by authorized person.
How many heating elements (radiators) can be connected to the central heating product?
The sum of the power of individual heating elements in the central heating system cannot exceed the power that the product gives for the water.
Can the product for central heating be connected to an existing system that will be used for additional warming up (such as gas)?
It can be used to connect to an existing central heating system if all necessary conditions are met, such as opened or closed system, expansion container, pump, etc.
Are the products supplied with accessories and additional add-ons for connecting to a central heating system?
No, the customer must provide them.

How to clean the “Garden program” products?
Products should be cleaned after the use when they fully cool off, with a solution made from dish soap and water, followed by a rinse with clean water, dried and stored in a dry and ventilated room.
The enameled surface should not be touched be sharp or abrasive objects as this can reduce the lifespan of the product.
How to use barbecue plate/pan?
Barbecue plate/pan should be placed on stable support in a horizontal position and always uniformly heated before placing food on it. It is important to keep in mind that the product will be very hot and should not be moved during use.
In addition to fire and ember, can a gas burner also be used as the source of heat?
Yes, however, it is necessary to pay attention that the heating in the beginning should be slow and even across the entire bottom surface, which will avoid deformations and cracks that can occur due to uneven heating.

WARNING: Do not use alcohol or gasoline, and other highly flammable ignition or re-ignition liquids.
How to use a baking bell to prepare food?
Burn fire from dry and hard wood as it gives long-lasting ember. Fire should be burned until enough ember is collected to be placed under the baking bell plate and over the bell from the ring to the top cover. After sufficient amount of ember is created, the same is moved to the side with a shovel while leaving a portion in a place where the fire was burning. This is where we place the baking bell plate that is filled with desired food content.

Note: to avoid damaging the enamel, the inner hygienic enameled parts of the bel (lid) and the plate (bottom part) must not be exposed to open fire or flames, i.e. cannot be heated before they are used.

The content is covered with the bell that will sit in the brackets of the plate. The ember is placed on the top of the bell by using a shovel. Additional fire can be kept on the side in order to create additional ember to further over the bell.

NOTE FOR THE GARDEN PROGRAM: Carefully keep in mind that no part of the garden program that is used for food preparation, and is covered with hygienic enamel (black smooth “porcelain” enamel that is in contact with food) should not be exposed to open fire. Excessive heating of this part can cause damage.

Carefully keep in mind that the heating and cooling is done slowly and evenly. Excessive heating and cooling can cause damage.

The range of the garden program is coated with hygienic enamel, and is therefore not necessary to coat it with protective grease or oil prior to baking/grilling as is the case with products such as baking bells, frying pans, plates, and barbecues made b other producers who do not use hygienic enamel and whose products are made of non-enamel casting. Grease or oil should be used during the roasting or grilling according to your own needs.