Some may remember my previous post on my difficulty getting a liner and honest man to do the job. I settled eventually on a lopi republic 1750 stove insert and had it installed w/ 6" liner and insulated the chimney it's going up through with the loose lava rock/vermiculite.
Anyhow, the stove works great but the huge disappointment is the door does not sit flush. the bottom left corner below the handle to open the door constantly gets black build up when I'm burning even couple hour fires. With overnight I notice even still that that corner has by far the heaviest build up.
I understand the technicalities of wet wood, and wood placement and oxygen control that factor into dirtying the glass. But the way that it constantly builds up in this corner, and the fact that I can look at the door and see that it clamps tightly shut on the top and other edges but bends out slightly at this bottom left corner (putting less pressure on the gasket) has me thinking it's faulty.
I did the dollar bill test - everywhere I put the bill it is very firm, except there. When I put it in that corner, with some effort I can wiggle it, and it does slide out more easily at this spot than anywhere else as well. It doesn't wriggle freely or fly out when I tug, but it is noticeably easier to wriggle and pull than elsewhere around the door.
The door seems fine, the hinges seem to be the problem - I can take out a bolt and then position the door to where it will clamp flush all the way around. The way this stove is constructed, the hinges are welded, and not replaceable or 'tweak-able'.
So I am faced with returning this stove for a new one without defect (under warranty), which is a big pain but really I think is what it comes down to unfortunately. I could try messing with the spacers, but I hate to think that this massive investment is faulty and eventually as the gasket wears down it will be even more of a problem and pain to constantly have to cater to.
Wondering what thoughts all of you here have on this situation. Does the dollar bill test and other signs indicate it's worth considering replacing?
Or is it all coincidence and the buildup is simply normal to happen on that edge, especially since that would seem to be the spot of coldest air to hit when opening the door to load more wood once in awhile?
Thanks for all your thoughts.
heres a pic too, you can see how it bends out:
Anyhow, the stove works great but the huge disappointment is the door does not sit flush. the bottom left corner below the handle to open the door constantly gets black build up when I'm burning even couple hour fires. With overnight I notice even still that that corner has by far the heaviest build up.
I understand the technicalities of wet wood, and wood placement and oxygen control that factor into dirtying the glass. But the way that it constantly builds up in this corner, and the fact that I can look at the door and see that it clamps tightly shut on the top and other edges but bends out slightly at this bottom left corner (putting less pressure on the gasket) has me thinking it's faulty.
I did the dollar bill test - everywhere I put the bill it is very firm, except there. When I put it in that corner, with some effort I can wiggle it, and it does slide out more easily at this spot than anywhere else as well. It doesn't wriggle freely or fly out when I tug, but it is noticeably easier to wriggle and pull than elsewhere around the door.
The door seems fine, the hinges seem to be the problem - I can take out a bolt and then position the door to where it will clamp flush all the way around. The way this stove is constructed, the hinges are welded, and not replaceable or 'tweak-able'.
So I am faced with returning this stove for a new one without defect (under warranty), which is a big pain but really I think is what it comes down to unfortunately. I could try messing with the spacers, but I hate to think that this massive investment is faulty and eventually as the gasket wears down it will be even more of a problem and pain to constantly have to cater to.
Wondering what thoughts all of you here have on this situation. Does the dollar bill test and other signs indicate it's worth considering replacing?
Or is it all coincidence and the buildup is simply normal to happen on that edge, especially since that would seem to be the spot of coldest air to hit when opening the door to load more wood once in awhile?
Thanks for all your thoughts.
heres a pic too, you can see how it bends out: