Warped grate on F500 - pics
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![[Hearth.com] Warped grate on F500 - pics](/talk/data/attachments/34/34527-a1c00fed39f3f6a9420c65ea7ecad028.jpg?hash=QC32AQBKvo)
![[Hearth.com] Warped grate on F500 - pics](/talk/data/attachments/34/34528-c7f617128a7c156fd3df48853c8e2d9a.jpg?hash=UxSbPgPU13)
Shari said:
Absolutely never. I rarely clean the ash pan either. I will check the seal - that had occurred to me, but it looks good...
HOLY WARPAGE BATMAN!
My oslo is in it's 4th year and I have not had any warpage.
Check you ash pan door as stated, and if you are using that door to get a fire going that could certainly be the culprit here. In fact, there would be no other reason than these, leaking ash pan door or leaving ash pan door open to start the fire.
My oslo is in it's 4th year and I have not had any warpage.
Check you ash pan door as stated, and if you are using that door to get a fire going that could certainly be the culprit here. In fact, there would be no other reason than these, leaking ash pan door or leaving ash pan door open to start the fire.
As I so rarely open the ash pan to clean it, it just seems unlikely that I forgot to close it completely at some point - I know it's the most obvious reason for it. If it is leaking, it can't be by much as I have complete control of the fire with the air lever.
madison said:
Yes, almost as if my grate was too large and expansion caused it to buckle. If this is the case, I hate to think of the stresses put on the lower part of the construction
Call customer service and have them send you a new grate. If the stove is too old, Id buy it. Be surprised if it cost $50. But I would call it defective and say that I am on Hearth.com.
- Jun 12, 2006
- 1,053
Hi -
I had a similar grate do the same thing. It was fine for about 5 years then a slight warp quickly got out of hand. I hav had good luck heating and reshaping, straightening cast iron parts. I put a stout wire on the part, place it in a decent sided bonfire, and reform the part with varly gentle use of a sledge, often with the flat side of the head so one doesn't shock/break any one point. I usually just use a large unsplit round standing upright for an anvil. That said, I think I had a new part lined up to order in case it split n half.
ATB,
Mike
I had a similar grate do the same thing. It was fine for about 5 years then a slight warp quickly got out of hand. I hav had good luck heating and reshaping, straightening cast iron parts. I put a stout wire on the part, place it in a decent sided bonfire, and reform the part with varly gentle use of a sledge, often with the flat side of the head so one doesn't shock/break any one point. I usually just use a large unsplit round standing upright for an anvil. That said, I think I had a new part lined up to order in case it split n half.
ATB,
Mike
zzr7ky said:
Interesting - maybe I'm not going crazy then. Is there a customer number for Jotul, or should I just go back to my stove shop?
Sen. John Blutarsky said:
From Jotul website:
"Jøtul Limited Warranty
Cast Iron and Steel Components:
Jøtul North America, Inc. warrants, to the original retail purchaser, that the cast iron components, the JøtulBurner™, or the steel firebox of any Jøtul Gas Stove, Insert or Fireplace, will be free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of five (5) years (parts and labor) from the date of purchase. Jøtul will repair or replace, at its option, any of those parts found to be defective."
Here is the their operator number:
(800) 797-5912
However, you will probably have to go through your stove dealer to file the warranty claim, etc.
The grate in my stove did the same thing - but not as greatly warped as yours. It happened to two different grates, so I decided that meant I could worry less instead of worrying more. At first I thought it was a sure sign my stove was ruined. I now think it's because sometimes things warp when they get hot.
Three years in and no issues.
While you may rarely use the ash pan I might suggest taking it out and making sure any loose coals/ash behind the pan are pulled out . . . I know in the past I discovered that some ash/coal built up behind the ash pan would allow me to close the ash pan door, but it wasn't snug until I took a fireplace shovel and scooped out the built up ash.
While you may rarely use the ash pan I might suggest taking it out and making sure any loose coals/ash behind the pan are pulled out . . . I know in the past I discovered that some ash/coal built up behind the ash pan would allow me to close the ash pan door, but it wasn't snug until I took a fireplace shovel and scooped out the built up ash.
Just out of curiosity, have you tried the dollar bill test on your ash door? Reason I ask is just in the last day or so various Jotul owners report differing results. I guess I am curious if your door gasket is loose or tight with the dollar test.
Also, when I take out my ash pan I also have an antique coal rake that I use to clean out the floor of the ash pan area. Shine a light in there and make sure you get any ash build up way in the back of that area.
Shari
Also, when I take out my ash pan I also have an antique coal rake that I use to clean out the floor of the ash pan area. Shine a light in there and make sure you get any ash build up way in the back of that area.
Shari
In my wondercoal manual it states that buildup of ash can warp the grates. When i had it in the house i would clean ashes out every morning and i had no warped grate.
Corey21's post reminded me to tell you of the stove installer I brought my VC Encore off (backyard of this guys house, rehabs stoves and sells 'em on Craigslist). He opened the doors of the Encore and specifically said that after a period of time the grate will warp due to temperatures. At which point you pull the grate out. Flip it over and your back in action. So last year when I was looking at the grate, prior to install, it was raised in the middle (admittedly not as much as yours but still significantly raised) I was vacuming it out 2 weekends ago and the bend or raise in the grate had gone down considerably. I suspect that by then end of this season (come march) she'll be flattend out quite nicely and then, next season it will start to slump.
Anyway food for thought. Flip it and forget it.
Ray
Anyway food for thought. Flip it and forget it.
Ray
Here's at least a plausible explanation. If the ashes are never (really??!!) emptied there will be a greatly reduced flow of air around the grate casting. That means it will get hotter than it was designed for which means it will warp.
fraxinus said:
Right, the grate is soaking in hot coals. But even if ashes are "usually" emptied, warping might occur on the rare occasions they are not. I'm sure that is what happened to mine.
Currently, my ashes are emptied but my ash pan is never (really!) emptied. I wanted a reduced flow of air at the back of the firebox to help the downdraft afterburner work better. So the full ash pan (with grate) is now the firebox floor.
Follow up to this. I finally took it back to the shop. They assumed I was using the ash pan to start the fire (which is fair) but I wasn't. They called Jotul, but the grate is specifically excluded from the warranty. It's $80 for a new one and the store kindly said they would give it to me for $50. With that said I'm going to persevere - maybe I'll try the bonfire trick come winter.
Did you check for impacted ash at the very back of the ash pan receptacle? Use a flashlight and a poker. Our Castine had build up there that I missed when vacuuming. The buildup pushed the ashpan forward enough to affect the gasket seal. It doesn't take too much to do this.
It's certainly possible, but that was last year - all clean now. I will take note of it though in the future.
CN, I just took a look at mine, it looks close to your second picture. I just checked the fit on the ends and it seems to be ok. I remember getting the stove delivered and thinking the grate had too much of an arch, the installer said it was normal. How is the fit of your grate, loose? Any small cracks?
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