U.S. Stove Window mount Firebox exhaust vents cracking?!?

[BIGISLANDHIKERS]

"I don’t see anything prohibiting running the stove the way I’ve been: Usually its set at 1 or 2 at night and while I’m at work, and I tend to kick it up to 4-5 on cold evenings when I’m at home."


You are using this stove when you are at work?

The only way I would use it is if I was standing next to it with a garden hose!

BIH

 

[Don2222]

Honestly, the woman I talked to at U.S. stove seemed more disinterested than anything else, and I probably came off sounding a little crazy. She said the flashing pressure light was a normal self-check, and I essentially told her that was fine, if she'd explain exactly what conditions trigger it. I told her that I was an engineer, familiar with electronics, and that somewhere there was a service manual or document that explained exactly what conditions triggered the light, etc. I.E. the microprocessor on the board must be lighting it in response to SOMETHING. At the point when I called them, the drilled hole area was just a little warped, not torn, so I didn't make much of that part at all. I'll definitely call them again.

To be fair, I am burning about a bag of pellets a day, so the stove is working hard. I think I noticed the warping starting with some crappy pennington nature's heat pellets, running on 3 or 4. There was a bunch of crap built up in that area that was glowing during operation, so maybe it was depositing something flammable there, and burned it?

The damage seems to have pretty much stopped at this point, and doesn't seem to cause any structural issues. The exhaust passage above the damaged plate looks pretty good to me, etc. Personally, I think there was some sort of stress relief/metallurgy problem, since the drilled area twisted on its center.

Ask her what caused these 2 HOUSE FIRES using their window pellet stove

Maine Fire
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/89123/

MaryLand Fire
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/92069/

 

[bolt115]

I have same stove same problems exactly......have you had any luck resolving issue?

 

[DexterDay]

I have same stove same problems exactly......have you had any luck resolving issue?

Welcome bolt115..... How long did you have the stove?

What was your original impressions, with this unot? At what firing rates were you using?

Also, do you have any pics? Have you tried contacting US Stove?

 

[bolt115]

I bought the US Stove 2400 window unit in Oct 2011. At first in ran great though the longest in ran was 8hr mostly due to hopper inefficiency. after 2 months I did notice area above burn pot beginning to warp and I will add a pic of current condition. Another problem that started at end of heating season is it wont stay running. After it heats up it shuts off with error light blinking, as already mentioned not very helpful in diagnosing. I just sent note to US Stove and am waiting for a response.

 

[DexterDay]

With a hole in the top of the firebox..? Its probably drawing air from somewhere its not supposed to and the vacuum switch is letting go?? Or maybe the Overtemp disc is up top and the lack of a layer of steel, gets it to hot, to quick..

For people to have these problems after 1 yr of service.... Makes me wonder about the R & D department at US Stove. Did they not run this stove through the ringer before release?

Englander has a new Pellet stove and Pellet Grill/Smoker coming out this yr. But they have been in testing and trails for awhile now. I dont work for them, and I have heard about it for about 5 months.

Hope the get your issue and the OP's resolved. Its pretty Chitty that you spend that much money on something that puts yoirself and your family in danger.......

 

[BrotherBart]

Shut these things down folks. This is scary stuff. Yeah I know it isn't cold right now. Just don't even think about firing them back up.

I have a perfect application for something like this but just could not make myself hang a pellet stove in a window. Glad I didn't.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Your stove has been over-fired, exactly how that happened I don't know, I have an idea though. Can you provide the actual fuel feed rate?

 

[bolt115]

I never had the outside of the stove get hot enough to be a fire hazard...even when it did run. I have seen a couple of posts referencing fires started because of the 2400 but no specifics. Do not get me wrong I hope to get rid of this darn stove before fall but I can't say I was concerned about fire. I think the problem with the metal above burn pot has to do with metal quality not temperature...

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

I think the problem with the metal above burn pot has to do with metal quality not temperature...

Maybe, maybe not

A little history is in order the controllers can have incorrect information set in them which in turn leads to over firing, one symptom of that is exactly what happened to the area above the burn pot.

It is also possible for ash build up in the burn pot to both increase the temperature in the burn pot and place the fire closer to the metal above the burn pot this also leads to over firing etc...

It is also possible that the metal is defective.

In any event what you have now is a damaged stove that should not be fired at all.

 

[bolt115]

I heard back from Josh at US Stove. I will let you all know how it turns out.

my stove info= S/N= CH2356-36 MANUFACTURED = 7/20/11

 

[mideezee]

after reading all the posts, I grew a bit concerned myself. This stove was purchased less than a year ago and has worked well up until this point. The unit just turned an error light ( of which I have no idea what the error light means no secret decoder ring came with the box. ) I looked at the top inside of the burn pot and sure enough the metal is twisted and warped. I just sent an e-mail to US stove. I have kept this unit clean so I I don't think it is an abuse problem.I would expect a stove kept in reasonable shape to at least last 5years before having issues. If I hear back I will let you know.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

What do you know yet another one.

The stove is being over fired (some how) or the metal it is made of is not up to par.

Consider yourself extremely lucky you noticed it and I hope you are not using that stove at all.

 

[mideezee]

just trying to figure out my next move. This is my wood shop and gets a little chilly in the winter. Any suggestions for a good replacement. By the way I too just contacted US stove and I am waiting for a reply. The really sad thing about this product is it comes from a company called US stove but the stove is made in CHINA. I was very disappointed when I found this out. Also I did notice on the last fire up it started up then had a small what I call blow up with in the pot. No fumes or excessive dust in the area either and door looks like it seals when shut.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

That blow up you mentioned is because there is ash in the exhaust system and that can also contribute to the issue with the metal you are seeing. It is called a delayed ignition, it is the gas generated by the slow cooking of the pellets in the burn pot not getting sucked out the exhaust (due to there being ash in the path), the slow cooking is also due to not enough air flow through the exhaust (that ash again). The result is a little boomy when the pellets ignite followed by all of that gas.

And yes most of us on here know all about USSC's source of major stove components even if it might not be the entire unit.

I don't recommend stoves, too many factors to consider.

 

[zrtmatos]

I would not use this stove. A house fire is immenent!

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

mideezee,

You might want to start a thread and ask folks what they would recommend as a shop heater, give them some information about the size and construction of the shop and also what you do in it.

I'm sure they can give you some ideas.

However do not use that window unit. One of the posters on this thread is one who had his house burn.

 

[wwert]

I have read many similar stories, I would NOT use that stove. Get US Stove to refund your money and go with a conventional stove. Those things are bad news.

 

[mideezee]

thanks to all and as of this moment it is unplugged. I have already been contacted by someone from us stove. They asked for install pictures and a picture of the damaged area in the stove and purchase receipt. All have been sent, I will post results here for others to reference. As for the ash. I kept this thing clean to the point of blowing and vacuuming it out on a daily basis just to be sure it would operate. ( I really don't like fires in a building unless I can baby sit them ) Conventional is what I am thinking. The concept of a window unit is nice, but the homework was never done. By the way looks like a great group on this forum.

 

[mideezee]

Well, heard back from US stove and they promptly told me to pull the unit and do not use it. They immediately sent a replacement ( Model 2402 ) Looks exactly the same but there is more metal and less plastic. The pulse fan seems to be replaced by a steady exhaust fan. The flame seems to be a little more tame compared to the old one, not as intense but the heat output seems to be as good or better. I have only used it a couple times so I will have to see how this one works out. The fire box seems to be a little different although I can't explain. As for using this stove....like I said will continue to baby sit it when I am working in the garage. I always have a fire extinguisher nearby any way. ( I do use gas cutting/welding torches from time to time ), but I think I would babysit any fire stove I would have, but that's just me. Stay tuned for updates. Cheers and happy new year.

 

[Bioburner]

Local store has the window stove on clearance for $900. Have to check to see what model and maybe inform the manager.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

i gotta tell ya gang, those who know me know i don't bash other company's products but anyone who has one of the early models of this type unit please give it a good 'going over" and if you see anything that looks amiss, quit using it and contact the manufacturer. this idea makes me uneasy to start with and looking at the pictures in this thread it worry's me more. lets be safe. US stove is a stand up company folks. if there's an issue im confident they will do right by it.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Safety. This type of unit scares the heck out me more than seeing my ex Mother in Law in the drive with a suitcase. Please be safe and understand what you are getting into.

Eric

 

[velvetfoot]

It's nice they replaced it though.

 

[TLHinCanada]

Steel is steel of course, except if it is not properly made, in which case it is just a collection of things that don't always respond to heat in the manner you want.

Couple high heat and bad steel kiss whatever it is in bye bye.

Now things that produce high heat are also present in wood, add a little restriction and you are over the specification for a lot of steel.

See Harman's burn pots in their large furnaces and boilers. Looks like temperatures above what they thought would be there.

Take a look at some of the posts on here about creeping metal doors and loss of door seals (Hey USSC I'm speaking of some of your stuff here.).

Hi Mike glad you dropped in.

Steel is not steel. There are many grades of steel. Some for strength, some for heat resistance, etc. I wonder if these stoves are made overseas. I understand there a problem with using substandard material (material not up to spec) in the products.