We bought a home last winter that has a Vermont Castings Encore in it. I used it last year a few times somewhat haphazardly (didn't know it at the time) and I want to make sure I'm safe this year. Purchased this year's wood last year and went through the Texas drought/heat wave. Not sure it's completely seasoned but better than what I had last year.
I'm going to have a sweep come out and inspect/clean the chimney.
There is at least one seal on the door that is hanging loose (wasn't last year but when I opened the stove this year it was). Do I need to remove it and replace it or just re-attach the loose part?
The ash pan latch doesn't catch so I need to work on that.
Also - the pipe that comes out of the stove (color matched, starts wide and becomes round the higher up you go) is in sections and when the stove is rolling (before I kick in the re-burn lever) I can see flames through a gap in the joint of the sections. I assume this is bad but maybe it's normal to have gaps?
Are there other things I need to check in the stove itself? I had tried to get a dealer to come out and inspect the stove but neither of the two within 75 miles offers any such service.
Thanks guys.
I'm going to have a sweep come out and inspect/clean the chimney.
There is at least one seal on the door that is hanging loose (wasn't last year but when I opened the stove this year it was). Do I need to remove it and replace it or just re-attach the loose part?
The ash pan latch doesn't catch so I need to work on that.
Also - the pipe that comes out of the stove (color matched, starts wide and becomes round the higher up you go) is in sections and when the stove is rolling (before I kick in the re-burn lever) I can see flames through a gap in the joint of the sections. I assume this is bad but maybe it's normal to have gaps?
Are there other things I need to check in the stove itself? I had tried to get a dealer to come out and inspect the stove but neither of the two within 75 miles offers any such service.
Thanks guys.