I have an RSF Opel 2 Plus (catalytic) fire place, with an Excel (stainless steel) chimney. It's in its forth winter of use. The bypass handle became inoperable last week. I had the installer come and check it out. After removing the catalytic converter to get a better view, it was determined that there was quite a bit of corrosion in the firebox. He also noted that the heat deflector plate was warped indicating over firing. An other observation was that when he reached up passed the heat deflector to check on how/why the bypass handle was not working, he pulled down about a half a cup of very red ash. At first we thought it was rust, but its a deep purple red.
A couple of other notables to assist in possible diagnosis. Almost all of my wood was sourced from trees cut down on properties next to the ocean. The trees were not dropped or floated in sea water. I burn primarily fir. I do not burn anything but chopped wood, except occasionally I will add a few offcuts from kilned dried lumber. The wood was cut and seasoned over the summer and runs between 15% and 18% moisture. My chimney stack is approximately 25'. See here are my questions:
1) What could cause this red/purplish powder ash. I believe this is new this year. Chimney and firebox was cleaned last year and did not notice anything like that.
2) Why would it corrode so fast?
3) Very often there is an acrid smell coming from the chimney smoke.... like unburned fuel. This has been going on since the beginning.
4) Can wood sourced near the ocean really have too much salt in it.
5) The air intake (from outside) has a bi-metal mechanism to automatically close down if fireplace to hot so not sure how it can over fire.
6) Are there temperature probs that can be purchased to monitor fire box temp.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
A couple of other notables to assist in possible diagnosis. Almost all of my wood was sourced from trees cut down on properties next to the ocean. The trees were not dropped or floated in sea water. I burn primarily fir. I do not burn anything but chopped wood, except occasionally I will add a few offcuts from kilned dried lumber. The wood was cut and seasoned over the summer and runs between 15% and 18% moisture. My chimney stack is approximately 25'. See here are my questions:
1) What could cause this red/purplish powder ash. I believe this is new this year. Chimney and firebox was cleaned last year and did not notice anything like that.
2) Why would it corrode so fast?
3) Very often there is an acrid smell coming from the chimney smoke.... like unburned fuel. This has been going on since the beginning.
4) Can wood sourced near the ocean really have too much salt in it.
5) The air intake (from outside) has a bi-metal mechanism to automatically close down if fireplace to hot so not sure how it can over fire.
6) Are there temperature probs that can be purchased to monitor fire box temp.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
