Wife got so cold I had to get it going.
So I used the new one, figure $330, should put it to use.
WOW, what a difference, I could turn the stove stat to 3 & had flames, cat temp to 3/4.
Haven't been able to do that since i burned the spruce on medium setting.
I vacuumed out the old one & will keep as a spare, since it may get warm again & I'll try to burn on a lower setting.
Old one was in about 8 months of 24/7 burning, first time I took it out. (New Last December) Fire store guy said it was still good,
but I liked the larger holes in the new ceramic one so I bought it.
I can take it out for cleaning & have the old one if ever needed.
He said "IT JUST NEEDS CLEANED", ;-P so I guess I'll put that one the "PM list" & clean it better (new one too) Got 2 spare gaskets while I was there to, for future cleanings.
Tried big hot fire for 3 days & the old one but would not burn itself clean, it looked like it was plugged with gray ash, front & back, just 30% of it was open. (my fault)
I would have been fine for years if I had too but the fine smaller hole plug easier & today while I let the fire go out & clean it, my Wife was getting cold, (house was down to 70
).
Having a spare is not a bed thing. I had to go to the store to get a new gasket anyway, liked the new style better
& having a back-up is just in my DNA, (old maintenance man habits I guess) Spare parts on hand makes me feel good
Could have got one online for $275 + $43 for 2 days shipping ($318 tot) The $12 more, here, helps local store & I have it now) Even though
I know the old one would have worked fine. It cleaned up fine, but now I can give the new style a good test