I took out the ceramic brick today to vacuum all the ash trapped behind there. No not because I wanted to, but because that is where the air intake is on that stove and it just wasn't burning the same towards the end of the last season. Good news is I got the ash out, but something was broken. Right behind the combustion brick, in the opening of the combustor, part of the combustor itself, crumbled. it was cracked and loose, and when I touched it, it crumbled. I attached some pictures to show. Will this mess up the burn? I hope it's still under warranty.
What's Behind the Ceramic Brick on the Arbor?
- Thread starter woodburn
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summit
Minister of Fire
that's the combustion chamber. Its made of ceramic fibre and is fragile. don't mash it around too much, use a small vac tip and a soft brush to clean it. most (not all) top loaders use this system, cat and non cat. It allows for higher efficiency, but treat it gently! that's why they put 1 1/4" brick in front of it!! As to the busted piece, it does not bode well, maybe overfired, something not sealed well. You might get a new one under wnty if the stove isn't too old.
Thanks Summit. I monitor my temps very carefully so I'm sure there was never an overfire. I guess there's no telling how it will burn until I burn a few fires.
Contact the dealer. No point in exacerbating the issue by burning with part of the refractory missing.
summit
Minister of Fire
BeGreen said:
I agree... if it is under 3yrs old, I'd give a call.. that part should last longer than a few yrs, especially if you don't open it up and smash it around just friggin w/ it (although its a good idea to clean it once a year, gently). Those things run @ 200+, so get it now while you have the wtty still good on that 2k+ stove. Thats what you spend the long dollar for... otherwise you'da gone to H.D. or Lowes and bought a cheapo.....
I went to the dealer today. Without hesitation they said they would send someone to replace the whole combustion chamber, and that it was fully covered under warranty. You rarely have an experience like that these days. I am very happy indeed!
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