Poopiebritches, when I said technician I meant a local guy who cleans pellet stoves for a living. I watched him the first time and he was VERY thorough and explained every step that he was doing so that I could learn and do it myself with the right equipment (ash vac with a soot snake attachment) and save myself some money each year. The only thing I don't have is the flexible chimney pipe broom which I di call him for this season and he cleaned it but said it actually wasn't too dirty. I did a complete cleaning in the late Fall right before the heating season started and took off the room blower and cleaned that (what a gigantic pain in the ass that is...especially trying to put it back on the stove...you practically have to be a contortionist or need a 3rd arm). I will admit I'm sometimes a slacker on the weekly cleanings but when I do clean it I make sure everything is as spotless as I can get it. I'll test the door but that seems to close pretty securely.