My Enviro Mini

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saigon71

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Feb 21, 2012
28
westernmass
I've had the Mini for 4 months, burned 2.5 tons and I like it, it puts out good heat, BUT the latch on the ashcan has seized up twice (first time dealer fixed it, second time didn't return my call) and I am using a hammer to keep it closed in lieu of a latch. Yesterday, the damper handle broke off. The damper was squirrelly from day one, always hard to push in/pull out. Otherwise, the stove is great. Did I get a lemon or are Enviros kind of high maintenance?
 
saigon71 said:
I've had the Mini for 4 months, burned 2.5 tons and I like it, it puts out good heat, BUT the latch on the ashcan has seized up twice (first time dealer fixed it, second time didn't return my call) and I am using a hammer to keep it closed in lieu of a latch. Yesterday, the damper handle broke off. The damper was squirrelly from day one, always hard to push in/pull out. Otherwise, the stove is great. Did I get a lemon or are Enviros kind of high maintenance?
PRobably not. The mini-A has been made with the same components for awhile. The damper would have been installed by the installer and was most likely not done right...especially if you can move it, since it should have been locked once the draft was set by the installer. Ash can latch? Betcha that is getting damaged by some other existing condition, like being tightened from the wrong direction.....it can happen, I have done it.
 
Dont know about the ash latch, my older Mini does not have that and gravity kinda holds it shut. The dampener handle should not come off, once it is set you shouldn't have to move it unless you change pellets and might need a little adjusting. There are 2 small screws that hold the dampener and they are probably just a little tight. Get that dealer back to fix those problems, these are good stoves dont let them ruin your Mini time.
 
Thanks, guys. I appreciate your votes of confidence. I will get the dealer to come out and take a look. I think they are overwhelmed by the amount of installs, were a little sloppy, and I blamed the stove.
 
saigon71 said:
I've had the Mini for 4 months, burned 2.5 tons and I like it, it puts out good heat, BUT the latch on the ashcan has seized up twice (first time dealer fixed it, second time didn't return my call) and I am using a hammer to keep it closed in lieu of a latch. Yesterday, the damper handle broke off. The damper was squirrelly from day one, always hard to push in/pull out. Otherwise, the stove is great. Did I get a lemon or are Enviros kind of high maintenance?

The damper may have been tighen in place with a sheet metal screw after adjustment. That screw is on the damper it's self, behind the side body cover.

Form my experience if you are fiddling with the damper after it has been properly set, unless you change pellet brands, it's time for a deep cleaning after 2-tons.

The latch is a new on the A and I only upgraded the pot, pot liner and control board on mine. But I can't see how the latch is jamming up? Unless it is the same problem that I had with mine. The front of the ash bin is warping in the middle, preventing a proper seal. In your case, you might be forcing the latch to act as a lever to apply way to much pressure to seal it up. It might help to grab the top of the front sides with your fingers and place your thumbs in the area of the latch. Then with your hands pull towards you and push in with your thumbs and Flex, not bend! but flex, so the metal works back to position. It will bend a little bit each time you flex it. Do this a few times check for fit, if not repeat.
 
actually whats happening is that the latch that was in production until year end is an aluminum one and its warping and or melting off. We had about 12 go bad over the last winter. As of last monday we recieved our first replacement stainless latches, visually not much differance except the weight and that the threads are cut with a die. In the mean time you can adjust the bottem hinges points so that the ash pan sits flat agianst the gasket, which was the way the first-gen Mini were from Enviro
 
Have you vacuumed behind the opening ports inside of ash bin area lately? I Vac mine about every 1/2 ton and have a piece of clear hose/tubing I stick on the end of my vac to get in there good. The weight of my ash bin is what holds it closed, kinda pivots on 2 nubs/hinges at the front.
 
I have, but I need to get some new accessories for my vacuum, I noticed that a bunch of ash builds up in damper area that I sort of scooped out with my fingers, vacuum didn't get it. And same with behind those circle ports. Still figuring this thing out!
 
A couple of years ago before I figured things out my stove shut down and smoked up the house, long story short, my exhaust is a different set up, 2 ft vert then 5 ft horizontal, and my 90 bend was restricted due to ash. Now I clean my exhaust pipe once a month with the lint eater and everything is happy. I probably should have a 4in exhaust but had not discovered this great place with all the great info here.
 
The way that i adjust the hinges point on the ash pan is take a pair on needle nose and grab the face right beside the bend for the hinge and bend it in or out as needed. You only need to bring them in out about 1/16" to make a large change at the top on the ash pan.
 
I have an older mini not the A and it is my primary heating source for the house ( except when the temps get below 10 degrees).
The damper has a set collar on it so you can't push it in but you can still pull it out. The handle can become loose and fall off if it is moved alot.
I found putting a little never seize inside where the two metal plates slide makes it much easier to move the handle back and forth for air adjustment.
Also for cleaning purposes once you have vacuumed out the stove have you done the leaf blower (suction) to the exhaust piping?
Highly recommend you do this after two tons of pellets. I do mine once a month whether it needs it or not. :cheese:
 
skinanbones said:
actually whats happening is that the latch that was in production until year end is an aluminum one and its warping and or melting off. We had about 12 go bad over the last winter. As of last monday we recieved our first replacement stainless latches, visually not much differance except the weight and that the threads are cut with a die. In the mean time you can adjust the bottem hinges points so that the ash pan sits flat agianst the gasket, which was the way the first-gen Mini were from Enviro


Good grief! An aluminum latch?! I got to look at the A just when it first came out. If I saw that latch made out of aluminum, I would be questioning that, but I did not. That ash pan get really hot when the outer door is closed. I think Envio should drill some holes or slots in the ash pan door to allow some air to circulate.
 
Thanks guys! I'll have to take the exhaust apart and vacuum in there.

One more question: the owner's manual says to apply "penetrating oil" to the screws after cleaning behind plates. Do you do this? I've never heard of this oil...
 
one example of penetrating oil.
 

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skinanbones said:
actually whats happening is that the latch that was in production until year end is an aluminum one and its warping and or melting off. We had about 12 go bad over the last winter. As of last monday we recieved our first replacement stainless latches, visually not much differance except the weight and that the threads are cut with a die. In the mean time you can adjust the bottem hinges points so that the ash pan sits flat agianst the gasket, which was the way the first-gen Mini were from Enviro

I just noticed this on mine the other day. I went to clean it, and the ashpan latch was damn near frozen. Is there a new part number or something for the stainless latch to ensure you get the new one?

Thanks.
 
"Make sure your latch is replaced with 50-2588. It looks identical but made of cast stainless steel.
The previous latch was an alloy made in China and material quality seems inconsistent. This would lead to blistering between the cylinder and sleeve causing binding. EF-178 part has been superseded to 50-2588 but there is bound to be stock in the field." - I got this is in a PM, hope it helps!

Ha Ha on the "penetrating oil". Who says that? Everybody calls it WD-40!
 
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