Gasket question...

[Swedishchef]

Hey guys

Quick question: my stove door's gasket has been compressed fairly well over the past winter. It is only 1 winter old.

My door allows for me to "tighten" the handle by removing a pin that prevents it from over turning, making a few extra handle turns and putting the pin back in.

I noticed my door no longer has the "tight" feel when closing. Should I simply remove the pin, make a few turns? Or should I change the gasket?

What indicates that the gasket is done?

Thanks in advance

Andrew

 

[soupy1957]

They say that putting a dollar bill in various locations around the door (half in and half out) and closing the door will tell ya if the gasket is shot. (if the dollar bill pulls out by hand, it's time to replace it).

Don't know about the pin.

We'll begin our third burning season this year, and I haven't changed the door gasket yet, (to give you an idea of the longevity of a gasket).

-Soupy1957

 

[DexterDay]

Over the Summer, leave the door handle a little looser, so the Gasket does not get so "Smashed". I just changed the Gasket in my Quadrafire Pellet Stove after 3 seasons. I left it TIGHT the 1st year (Not knowing better). Depending on the size. You can knead the Gasket and make it more spongy again. Gasket on the Quad and the 30 are pretty Big. Not sure of the Englander (Would have to look it up), but the Quad is a 7/8" Gasket. You can really get your fingers on it and knead it to loosen where it seals. Makes it a little thicker for better sealing.

Do the "Dollar Bill Test" as Soupy stated. If the Bill slips, try to tighten. If it doesn't, then do not tighten. It only needs enough to seal it. Crush it to much and you will wear it out prematurely.

 

[FyreBug]

Hey Andrew

+1 on the dollar trick.

How long have you had the stove. If this is the second time you are tightening the door you might just want to relace the gasket. It's not expensive anyway. Don't get the cheap white stuff for your stove. Buy the tight braided stuff - typically black

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Different stoves seem to require changing more often. Our last stove before the Fireview we had over 20 years and I changed the door gasket once and that was after we had it at least 15 years. I did tighten the door handle a few times on that one but the gasket served us well. We've had the Fireview 4 winters not and have not changed it yet nor tightened the door.

 

[begreen]

Andrew, it's uncommon for a year old gasket to be shot. Usually they last several years. Even with a good gasket the dollar bill may pull out by hand. The difference being how much of a tug it takes. There should be some resistance when pulling it out unless your door has a knife seal in which the door gasket hits a welded flange on the stove body. The knife edge seal can make it hard to pull out. If the stove body surface is flat and smooth where the gasket makes contact, the dollar bill will pull out with a moderate tug. If the dollar pulls out without resistance, then the door may need a little tightening or the gasket needs replacing.

 

[Stax]

I just tried the dollar bill trick on my brand new unit and with a slight tug I'm able to pull the dollar bill out pretty easy where the arrow is. In addition, the door isn't exactly flush with the other door. I'd say by an eighth of an inch. Any suggestions?

 

[DanCorcoran]

I just tried the dollar bill trick on my brand new unit and with a slight tug I'm able to pull the dollar bill out pretty easy where the arrow is. In addition, the door isn't exactly flush with the other door. I'd say by an eighth of an inch. Any suggestions?

Could be the dollar bill. Send it to me and I'll check it out...

 

[DexterDay]

I just tried the dollar bill trick on my brand new unit and with a slight tug I'm able to pull the dollar bill out pretty easy where the arrow is. In addition, the door isn't exactly flush with the other door. I'd say by an eighth of an inch. Any suggestions?

Typically. Most stoves have an adjustment of some sort. Be the Handle or even the hinges themselves.

 

[leeave96]

I just tried the dollar bill trick on my brand new unit and with a slight tug I'm able to pull the dollar bill out pretty easy where the arrow is. In addition, the door isn't exactly flush with the other door. I'd say by an eighth of an inch. Any suggestions?

There's probably an adjustment. FWIW, the gaskets on my Keystone - Door and ash pan fell loose after the first few burns when the stove was brand new. I put some gasket glue on them, put the gasket back in place and so far so good. I probably ought to do a dollar bill test on both of my stoves for a pre-burning season check/prep.

Good luck,
Bill

 

[begreen]

The Declaration has big, wide doors. With the latch on the bottom of the doors, it wouldn't surprise me that it is harder to maintain tension in the middle-top. Hopefully we'll have an installer chime in here. If not, give your dealer a call for direction on how to make this adjustment correctly, if at all.

 

[Swedishchef]

Thanks for the replies.

Soupy: I will try the dollar bill trick. The problem is that in Canada, we need to call it the FIVE dollar bill trick since we have dollar coins

Dexter: that makes sense. Compression for nothing will reduce the lifespan of the gasket.

Fyrebug: This particular stove has been in my house for 1 year. I have not tightened the door yet. That pin is DAMN hard to pull out, I tried with plyers to no avail. I will buy the proper stuff, just gotta find it in my neck of the woods or online.

BG: thanks for the more in depth details of the money trick.

Now if only I stopped using Interact and had CASH on me.....

Andrew

 

[FyreBug]

Thanks for the replies.

Soupy: I will try the dollar bill trick. The problem is that in Canada, we need to call it the FIVE dollar bill trick since we have dollar coins

Dexter: that makes sense. Compression for nothing will reduce the lifespan of the gasket.

Fyrebug: This particular stove has been in my house for 1 year. I have not tightened the door yet. That pin is DAMN hard to pull out, I tried with plyers to no avail. I will buy the proper stuff, just gotta find it in my neck of the woods or online.

BG: thanks for the more in depth details of the money trick.

Now if only I stopped using Interact and had CASH on me.....

Andrew

Andrew, PM me with your address and I'll ship you a new one. Wait for a couple weeks though I'm on holidays. Should last more than one year. Sometimes the pin expands due to heat. That may be the reason for the tight fit.

Bonjour a tous Le monde Au Quebec!

 

[soupy1957]

I just tried the dollar bill trick on my brand new unit and with a slight tug I'm able to pull the dollar bill out pretty easy where the arrow is. In addition, the door isn't exactly flush with the other door. I'd say by an eighth of an inch. Any suggestions?

Could be the dollar bill. Send it to me and I'll check it out...

I LIKE THE WAY YOU THINK!

-Soupy1957

 

[DexterDay]

Thanks for the replies.

Soupy: I will try the dollar bill trick. The problem is that in Canada, we need to call it the FIVE dollar bill trick since we have dollar coins

Dexter: that makes sense. Compression for nothing will reduce the lifespan of the gasket.

Fyrebug: This particular stove has been in my house for 1 year. I have not tightened the door yet. That pin is DAMN hard to pull out, I tried with plyers to no avail. I will buy the proper stuff, just gotta find it in my neck of the woods or online.

BG: thanks for the more in depth details of the money trick.

Now if only I stopped using Interact and had CASH on me.....

Andrew

Andrew, PM me with your address and I'll ship you a new one. Wait for a couple weeks though I'm on holidays. Should last more than one year. Sometimes the pin expands due to heat. That may be the reason for the tight fit.

Bonjour a tous Le monde Au Quebec!

What a Stand-up thing to do FyreBug. Bravo. The people in here never cease to amaze me. Albeit Warranty. No you don't have to contact dealer or Manuf. Bravo.

 

[FyreBug]

Well to be honest, I work for the MFG. Still wanna keep the customer happy.

 

[Swedishchef]

There are kind people left in this world. It's nice to see once in a while. I certainly appreciate it.

And I am more than pleased with the stove. It amazes me that others don't opt for this when looking at a Napoleon.... After my 2300 kept me warm all winter (1400sq ft bungalow and the stove is in the basement), I am certainly happy with the product.

Andrew