Jotul c550 Rockland tips thread

[broke]

researching replacement blowers and found this site and the c550 thread. have to say the 550 was a waste of money. replaced a free standing Vermont Casting (great heat output) that was in front of the fireplace to aesthetically please the now ex-wife. first of all, the fire needs to die to empty the ash. the V Cast had a drawer on the bottom. simple. the blowers on the 550 (when they briefly worked) suck ash that falls out of the box and pumps the ash into the room. bad blower location. poor design. this is why the blowers fail! your blowers WILL FAIL!! jotul will tell you to contact the dealer. my dealer, Preston Trading Post, told me the blowers are only covered for 1 year. bought this over priced cast-iron pile of junk in Oct., was not impressed with the heat output ( been burning for years I know what I'm doing) or the noise of the normally operating blowers. shut it down for the summer and, come Dec. of the next season, the blowers began to squeal then quit! do the math. yes it was over a year since the purchase but only 7 months of actual blower operation. Preston, the dealer, didn't want to hear it. have been running the insert ever since without the blowers. as stated at the beginning of this admitted bloviation, I'm breaking down and pricing after market blowers to please my new wife. tried to tell her the same thing will happen but, whatchya gonna do? spend more money I guess

 

[jatoxico]

Pulled the fans today to clean them and the housing area. My fans stay pretty clean since the hearth is raised but I vac'd them out and gave them the once over. Fans are well built with true bearings. Dripped some 3 in 1 into them (bearings) where I could. Actually not sure that does anything since they may be sealed. In my 5th year with them and they're still going strong.

 

[Schnorx]

I just joined this forum today but have been using a Rockland C550 for four years. After reading this thread, I may be running it cooler than I need. I burn Ash, soft and hard maple, white and red oak, mulberry and occasionally, hedge (Osage) ... some other stuff. I have so issues with the fans chirping and have not quite figured how to fix that, advice would be appreciated. I use a galvanized pail with a locking top to scoop out ashes (sort of a pain) and wish I had a stove that was easier to clean and load but for $4500, not going to be replacing this one for a while. So, chirping fan and infor on replacing fans would e helpful from more seasoned burners. Thanks.

 

[jatoxico]

So, chirping fan and infor on replacing fans would e helpful

The fans are very easy to pull. Pop them out and vacuum and/or blow any dust out. Mine are quiet so I did not go the extra yard but if I needed to I would go to the hardware store and get a syringe or needle type oiler to hit all the bearings. The fans looked serviceable to me so a good hardware store or electric motor shop may oil and clean for you.

 

[Schnorx]

The fans are very easy to pull. Pop them out and vacuum and/or blow any dust out. Mine are quiet so I did not go the extra yard but if I needed to I would go to the hardware store and get a syringe or needle type oiler to hit all the bearings. The fans looked serviceable to me so a good hardware store or electric motor shop may oil and clean for you.

Thanks, Jatoxico. I vacuumed them without taking them out. I will do that and get some machine oil from the ACE store. I try to avoid MD40 since it is also a solvent. Seems to also be related to how hot the stove is, Squeaks more when the stove is cool. Cleaning will have to wait. we are in single digits for a few days.

 

[jatoxico]

I try to avoid MD40

I agree I don't think you want a penetrating oil. I used 3 in 1 but someone had mentioned they make another product that may be more suitable, little heavier possibly. May not be the bearings, could be dirt in the brushes too I suppose.

 

[jatoxico]

As a flush unit the 550 does have the disadvantages that come from being entirely contained in the old fireplace. On the other hand I'm a bit surprised how well she's keeping up with the current cold snap we are experiencing. With it's relatively small firebox I am dealing with some coaling issues as these single digits temps are really taxing. Still it never got above 18 today and we are already down to 10, but the boilers not running and temps in the house are ranging from mid 70's to high 60's in the rooms we frequent. The block off plate has made a big difference.

 

[OhioBurner©]

I think the C550 is a great unit for what it is - a flush insert, but of course this is limiting by design. Mine was mainly to appease the wife too, plus I just didn't want to put in a huge amount of money for a hearth rebuild either. I've had mine now for maybe 6 years(?) and the blowers are working fine. In fact I really don't clean it and had quite a a bit of ash packed around and right against the motors. The 550 maximizes firebox size by not having and ash pan and also heat convection by having the blowers circulate underneath, up, and then over the top. A flush insert is a compromise, not a pile of junk by any means. I will say though this year I have replaced it with a free standing stove (with lower heat output) and am quite amazed how much more heat the freestander throws out, and how much more efficient it is (and controllable). I think I'll keep the 550 though, to reinstall when I move out and take the new stove with me.

researching replacement blowers and found this site and the c550 thread. have to say the 550 was a waste of money. replaced a free standing Vermont Casting (great heat output) that was in front of the fireplace to aesthetically please the now ex-wife. first of all, the fire needs to die to empty the ash. the V Cast had a drawer on the bottom. simple. the blowers on the 550 (when they briefly worked) suck ash that falls out of the box and pumps the ash into the room. bad blower location. poor design. this is why the blowers fail! your blowers WILL FAIL!! jotul will tell you to contact the dealer. my dealer, Preston Trading Post, told me the blowers are only covered for 1 year. bought this over priced cast-iron pile of junk in Oct., was not impressed with the heat output ( been burning for years I know what I'm doing) or the noise of the normally operating blowers. shut it down for the summer and, come Dec. of the next season, the blowers began to squeal then quit! do the math. yes it was over a year since the purchase but only 7 months of actual blower operation. Preston, the dealer, didn't want to hear it. have been running the insert ever since without the blowers. as stated at the beginning of this admitted bloviation, I'm breaking down and pricing after market blowers to please my new wife. tried to tell her the same thing will happen but, whatchya gonna do? spend more money I guess

 

[jatoxico]

A flush insert is a compromise, not a pile of junk by any means.

Completely agree. Best thing about the 550 is that the Jotul seems to be very well built. My fans, bricks, baffles, burn tubes and on and on are in perfect condition going on 5 yrs of service. No warping or cracks of any kind, have not had to even change the door gasket. But I do agree a flush unit has some limitations.

*I just jinxed myself big time didn't I?

 

[Stoneseller]

Has anyone found reasonable priced replacement fans? I have removed and cleaned with compressed air annually. I did a partial disassembly of one, only to find double sealed bearings on the motor shaft. In the process, I kind of damaged the rubber retainer that the bronze bushing sits it. I managed to clean and lube the bushing, and get it all back together again. Lubing that bushing made no difference, the noise is coming from the sealed bearings.
Purchased and installed December 2010. Hearth (cast floor plate) replaced 10/4/14 due to warping and cracking.

 

[EJL923]

If you look hard enough you can find fans for $170 ish, still really expensive. If your feeling adventurous you could try to retrofit a different fan. Its disgusting how much they charge for these fans, knowing they will have to be replaced often.

 

[Stoneseller]

researching replacement blowers and found this site and the c550 thread. have to say the 550 was a waste of money. replaced a free standing Vermont Casting (great heat output) that was in front of the fireplace to aesthetically please the now ex-wife. first of all, the fire needs to die to empty the ash. the V Cast had a drawer on the bottom. simple. the blowers on the 550 (when they briefly worked) suck ash that falls out of the box and pumps the ash into the room. bad blower location. poor design. this is why the blowers fail! your blowers

Broke, sorry to hear you have had such bad luck with your stove. My blowers are still running, but with a lot of bearing noise and rattles. I am in the same boat with you, my wife did not want a stove that sat out on the hearth, the flush mounting of this unit was the clincher for us. The radiant heat output sucks without the fans.

 

[Stoneseller]

EJL, I would happily pay $170 for two new complete fan assemblies. I think I was quote almost that for one, and the price did not include the mounting base.

 

[EJL923]

EJL, I would happily pay $170 for two new complete fan assemblies. I think I was quote almost that for one, and the price did not include the mounting base.

HA, that was for one. I will not buy a stove which solely relies on the blowers again. I bet 50% of the guys in this thread have a wife who wanted the flush look.

 

[jatoxico]

For those prices I would be trying to rebuild them. Certainly no expert but bearings and other parts should be available.

 

[Stoneseller]

HA, that was for one. I will not buy a stove which solely relies on the blowers again. I bet 50% of the guys in this thread have a wife who wanted the flush look.

Ouch! I imagine when there is absolutely no chance I will burn again this spring, I will take them to a motor shop I know of...I would agree regarding wives being the deciding factor in half the purchasers. It is a very nice look!

 

[Patmosphere]

Hi all. Good to see some activity here. Just finishing up my first season with the 550. Love it!
Had it burning all day today and will tomorrow too. A farewell to winter cold and final snow (maybe) for the season.

 

[Stoneseller]

Welcome Patmo! I'm burning again today and tomorrow as winter's final (hopefully) storm event blows through the Mid Atlantic. Nothing like the warm dry heat when the weather outside is wet and white.

 

[uloset]

It is obviously past burning season here, but I'd just like to report in. I struggled a bit with the unit at 1st but after switching to top down fires my warm up times are next to nothing, instead of hours. Plus a tip from jatoxico about moving one of the baffle bricks to the side made priming the flue on bad downdraft days a breeze. Hopefully I'll find the time to install a block off plate or at a minimum stuff some roxul above the unit to improve the heat output even more.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I have a question related the door on this stove. Once door is closed on my rockland, I noticed that the few inch section just above the door latch does not seal as good compared to rest of door as evidenced by Dollar bill test. Bill is held up by door closed in this area. But I can pull bill out without much effort. Gasket itself seems to in good shape. I'm wondering if the latch can be adjusted so as to tighten this up a bit. What do you all think?

 

[joeyz101]

Hi to All - just joined the Jotul C550 Rockland club - my unit will be installed in the coming weeks and I am very much looking forward to it !

I understand the limitations people mention as it relates to flush-mount vs. inserts that protrude out into a room and even free-standing wood stoves but I think my family and I will really enjoy the heat this unit can throw and I will keep reading up here to improve its performance where I can.

Can anyone point me to pictures / discussion / video of a block off plate installation ? Does this happen right above the unit as well as at the top of the chimney ? Since my unit will not be installed for another few weeks I want to make sure I consider all the options out there to best prepare my hearth to minimize heat lost and maximize heat output.

I asked my dealer about block off plates and he said they don't do them (which I find odd) but he says they've run into issues and so now they stay away. Not sure what those issues could be but it is what it is and since I've read people here say that it can be done after the installation I want to understand how its done so I can do it myself.

My deals said they will put fire resistant insulation above the insert - this sounds like an easy and probably not too effective way to minimize heat loss - what does everyone think about it - is there anything I should tell the installer when they do this so it is done in the best possible way ?

Pls let me know if there is anything you wish you would have done as far as prep to your hearth / chimney / etc. pre-installation that could save time and improve performance.

Really appreciate everyone in this community - thanks for your time !

joeyz101

 

[EJL923]

Hi to All - just joined the Jotul C550 Rockland club - my unit will be installed in the coming weeks and I am very much looking forward to it !

I understand the limitations people mention as it relates to flush-mount vs. inserts that protrude out into a room and even free-standing wood stoves but I think my family and I will really enjoy the heat this unit can throw and I will keep reading up here to improve its performance where I can.

Can anyone point me to pictures / discussion / video of a block off plate installation ? Does this happen right above the unit as well as at the top of the chimney ? Since my unit will not be installed for another few weeks I want to make sure I consider all the options out there to best prepare my hearth to minimize heat lost and maximize heat output.

I asked my dealer about block off plates and he said they don't do them (which I find odd) but he says they've run into issues and so now they stay away. Not sure what those issues could be but it is what it is and since I've read people here say that it can be done after the installation I want to understand how its done so I can do it myself.

My deals said they will put fire resistant insulation above the insert - this sounds like an easy and probably not too effective way to minimize heat loss - what does everyone think about it - is there anything I should tell the installer when they do this so it is done in the best possible way ?

Pls let me know if there is anything you wish you would have done as far as prep to your hearth / chimney / etc. pre-installation that could save time and improve performance.

Really appreciate everyone in this community - thanks for your time !

joeyz101

search for my poor mans block off plate

 

[begreen]

Can anyone point me to pictures / discussion / video of a block off plate installation ? Does this happen right above the unit as well as at the top of the chimney ? Since my unit will not be installed for another few weeks I want to make sure I consider all the options out there to best prepare my hearth to minimize heat lost and maximize heat output.

This article should help. There are lots of links to threads with pictures at the end.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/wiki/why-damper-seal-is-needed/

 

[joeyz101]

My Jotul c550 Rockland is arriving and will be installed soon so in the meantime my dad and I are re-doing the hearth - I've attached pics to show what it looked like before (old tile) and what it looks like in it's current state and will also post a pic of the finished product.

Basically the original hearth was about 1 inch higher than our wood floors and had old tiles that my wife and I were never crazy about. We will be using tiles we like and used in our den and mudroom area and we are making the hearth flush with our wood floor.

I will be purchasing gloves, a magnetic thermometer and an ash vac - are there any other tools that you find essential when it comes to tending to your fire and maintaining your insert ?

Thanks all !

joeyz101

 

[begreen]

Most essential ingredient - fully seasoned wood.