You know the fake brick looking metal things in a St Croix? There are 3, one on the back, one on each side in the firebox. I was banging on them with a rubber mallet and the side ones fell out. So I took the opportunity to clean them and brush all the stuff off the firebox behind them. My question is, do they have to be in there? Because I can't figure out how to get them back in and it would be so much easier to clean the stove without them in there lol.
Question about the metal things in the firebox
- Thread starter AlwaysCold
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SmokeyTheBear
Minister of Fire
AlwaysCold said:
What does your manual say if it says they are optional and decorative only then you can leave them out otherwise they need to be back in the stove.
I just looked at the manual again, and it doesn't mention them anywhere. Not even in the parts list. I'll call the dealer and ask them what they think. Thanks.
I called and he said they have to be in there. Something about gasses and ports and helping them go through the vent rather than the firebox. Now to figure out how to get them back in there. >.<
movemaine
Minister of Fire
AlwaysCold said:
I tend to avoid banging on things with a rubber mallet until they break. Keeps me from having to fix things...
It didn't break. They're meant to come out - I just never bothered to remove them before because I didn't know how. I was told by the dealer to bang on them with a rubber mallet when it was installed - supposedly this is how the ash is to be knocked down into the clean-out ports.
Czech
Minister of Fire
I tend to use a regular mallet when I should use a rubber one. Don't feel bad, glad you figured it out.
movemaine
Minister of Fire
movemaine said:
LOL well it did break the other day. Someone dropped a pocket knife in the hopper. Probably on purpose. Neither kid will admit to doing it. I suspect it was my 15 year old because he seemed very interested in trying to get it out before dad got home from work. The metal part inside the plastic handle was jammed in the auger nice & snug. The husband had to free it with a wrench. Needless to say he was sufficiently irritated.
Czech said:
Prior to today I would bang on it with the plastic end of the vacuum hose. Quite ineffective lol.
AlwaysCold said:
Using the mallet to bang on the back wall of a steel stove is a good way to dislodge ash that's stuck inside the ash traps before vacuuming, but you have to remove the decorative "brick" first.
imacman said:
Yeah, it definitely works better. I wish I knew before. I knocked down quite a lot more ash today with the plates removed. When I called the dealer today he said to bang on the wall with a hammer and the fake brick with a mallet. I will not be using a hammer.
mnkywrnch
Minister of Fire
The original bricks in my prescott fell apart after the first season with the stove, my dealer had the upgraded metal brick panels,I chose to just run without them as there only decorative (that's what my dealer told me)the stove has been running just fine with them removed.
whlago
Feeling the Heat
AlwaysCold said:
LOL....what is it about teenagers not admitting stuff!! I must have a really strong mouse in the house that transports my razor from my bathroom to the upstairs bathroom because, according to the three kids none of them did it!!
AlwaysCold said:
You should get a second opinion because I was told by my st Croix dealer that it does not have to be in there. It is for decoration and serves no functional use. I can't see how the metal bricks help gasses go through the vent, That does not make and sense to. me. Before the metal bricks St. Croix used 3 sold masonry bricks against the fire wall and I know that did not direct and gasses.
heat seeker
Minister of Fire
I think they're just for decoration, also. They don't guide any gasses anywhere on my Afton Bay.
To re-install them on my Afton Bay, I remove the two screws holding the black metal pieces on each side. Once those pieces come off, it's apparent how they hold the "brick". The two side bricks hold the rear one in position. It's easier if you install the side pieces loosely at first, then you can juggle things around to fit. Your stove may be different inside, though.
To re-install them on my Afton Bay, I remove the two screws holding the black metal pieces on each side. Once those pieces come off, it's apparent how they hold the "brick". The two side bricks hold the rear one in position. It's easier if you install the side pieces loosely at first, then you can juggle things around to fit. Your stove may be different inside, though.
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