Expert: James Ball - 12/31/2011

Question
My husband and I are new to fireplaces, and we are wondering about a chute that runs out of the back of the chimney to outside, it has a small amount of ash in it. We have been cleaning the ashes out of the front is the chute there for cleaning the fireplace and if so how do we gain access to it.  And also it does have a knob on the right side for a fan,the fan blows but we can't adjust the speed or for how long it is on, can't find any information on this stove, just a manufacturer name based in Oklahoma.

Answer
Hello Virginia, with out seeing it I do not know what this set up is doing, and with out a model # I can't even look for an owners manual and I would not use it until with out one.
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep www.csia.org, (there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have, they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James