Mt. Vernon (older style) firepot burned through

[Scott124]

I have a 4 year old or so Mt. Vernon pellet stove. I have had my share of problems, bad snap discs, stuck heat exchange scraper, feed motor reversing, control box issues, etc, etc. Now I have a firepot that burned through at the weld where the igniter bracket is welded to the cast iron firepot. The hole is about 2" long and 3/4" high. The new firepot is $250. Quadrafire would not even address my questions I sent through their website. My dealer also seems frustrated with Quadrafire's response.

Has anyone ever had a firepot burn out before? Any comments on it. I have burned Goldenfire pellets since day 1.

Scott Michalek
541-549-1505
Sisters, Or.

 

[slls]

The warranty for my Quad burn pot is 3 years, so if mine goes in 4 years, it's my nickle.

 

[stoveguy13]

As slls said there is a 3yr warrantty on the pot how old is the pot.your dealer should be taking care of this for you.

 

[Scott124]

I guess my point on this is I believe it might be a faulty design if the pot burns through in 4 years. I do understand the 3 year warrantee but this should not happen. Am I going to be replacang a $250 pot every 4 years or so?

I am guessing the weld for the igniter bracket weakened the pot where it burned through....poor design.
Has anyone else experienced this issue? Had any satisfaction from Quadrafire regarding issue? Or is my case an isolated case? I can't believe that...

Scott

 

[krooser]

If it's made of mild steel it can be repaired...

 

[Scott124]

Good idea, it is cast iron and I am not sure the repairability of that but I will check. Thanks!

 

[stoveguy13]

i have not seen the pot break in that spot it is not fixable it would be best to just replace the pot i dont think it will happen again.

 

[slls]

Cast iron can be welded, just needs to be preheated.

 

[stoveguy13]

it is dutciale iron cast does weld well and it will not last long it will be more of a pain then it will be worth.

 

[webbie]

I think a reasonable "set aside" for a pellet stove for parts would be about $100 per year.....meaning you will need firepots, blowers, switches and other various stuff as things move along. Some stoves will need more work than others, and in many cases the replacement part will be better than the original.

I understand your concern as to the proper design of the first part - but at the same time, it is very uncommon in this industry for companies to cover stuff outside of the warranty period.

 

[Scott124]

Thanks Craig!

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

I have never seen a burnpot burn out on a stove newer then 10 years, however, they will not warranty the part if it has a 3 year warranty. Your dealer will be required to submit a serial number and a manufacture date to file the warrantly claim. It will get denied, and your dealer will have to pay for the part. I think you are stuck with the bill on this one, and no, you will not be buying burn pots every four years. The new one should last about the life of the stove. You just got a bad burn pot thats one year out of warranty.