Door Seal/Gasket?

I would stop by a local hearth shop that has a few different sizes in spools. They will probably bring the door back to the gasket room and just smush a few ends in the groove see what works.

shut the door and do the dollar bill test. Search the site for it. Pretty simple stuff.

Some of those older stoves didn't even come with door gaskets so the channel is just meant to butt up against the metal. I have found on some of them I had to use a flat gasket in the grove to get the door to shut correctly.

Just found this thread, doesn't look like they come with door gaskets. https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/oak-ridge-woodstove.131329/

dieselscout80 said:

Mellow, that looks like a free standing version of my fireplace insert.

Mine had a gasket, but after two years of my use (I bought it used) the gasket needed replacing per the dollar bill test.

I was trying to determine was would be the best size to use. I used 3/8" this time, but if I replace again I will try 7/16".

I was wonder if there was a way to measure the channel to know forsure what to get.

Thanks for the link to that other thread about Oak-Ridge.

Click to expand...

I measured the channel on mine at 3/4" by 1/2" but test runs with gasket taped in place gave a different story. The bottom of the channel seems to be important. My channel is flat-bottomed (some are rounded) and that alters the sizing and the density. After several trial runs it came down to 1/2" and low density. Anything bigger or anything 1/2" with higher density would prevent the door from closing.

I did see some high density ones in the store with oblong shapes (3/4" by 1/2") which makes sense since high density needs to fit precisely.

dieselscout80 said:

Mellow, that looks like a free standing version of my fireplace insert.

Mine had a gasket, but after two years of my use (I bought it used) the gasket needed replacing per the dollar bill test.

I was trying to determine was would be the best size to use. I used 3/8" this time, but if I replace again I will try 7/16".

I was wonder if there was a way to measure the channel to know forsure what to get.

Thanks for the link to that other thread about Oak-Ridge.

Click to expand...

What mellow is saying is that originally it didn’t come with a gasket. Many times people would add gaskets just assuming it needed one. On some old stoves, the channel wears over time and it becomes necessary to add a small gasket to keep it controllable.

I'd get a few inches of each size. Remove the one you have and put the door on. The get the sample piece to stick in the groove. Test it at various places around the door. Too loose, too tight, just right.