Hi All,
My fireplace is only 5 years old and one part looks ready for repair or replacement. I think it is a "baffle" plate hanging just below the secondary combustion chamber. I suspect it is designed to prevent wood being loaded up to the secondary combustion chamber sa as to have some actual combustion space in the primary chamber. Or, it could just be a way of protecting some centre holes in the secondary combustion chamber being blocked. Heck it might even be a sacrificial anode type of plate - I really don't know what it does!
Here are some pics:
As you can see, it appears the plate or strip of steel is attached via 4 attachment points (presume welded?) and has separated on 3 of them, and partly separated on the 4th as well. My question is about fixing it, and if it's worth fixing - which of course depends on the function of the plate in the first place.
The thickness of the plate is down to about a quarter of the original thickness, is this "normal" wear for 5 winters? Can I get a neighbour or local welder to weld a new plate across with some new attachment points? (I can't weld - have tried to learn and failed, just one more thing I suck at) If so, what sort of grade of steel should I purchase? Can I get some scrap steel for this? Should I buy a whole new secondary combustion chamber (if for example the thing was originally cast - maybe welds don't last in fireplaces very long?)?
All suggestions and explanations welcome.
FWIW it's a Jindara Duo and I'm Down Under about 10 minutes from the coast very with mild salt air.
My fireplace is only 5 years old and one part looks ready for repair or replacement. I think it is a "baffle" plate hanging just below the secondary combustion chamber. I suspect it is designed to prevent wood being loaded up to the secondary combustion chamber sa as to have some actual combustion space in the primary chamber. Or, it could just be a way of protecting some centre holes in the secondary combustion chamber being blocked. Heck it might even be a sacrificial anode type of plate - I really don't know what it does!
Here are some pics:
As you can see, it appears the plate or strip of steel is attached via 4 attachment points (presume welded?) and has separated on 3 of them, and partly separated on the 4th as well. My question is about fixing it, and if it's worth fixing - which of course depends on the function of the plate in the first place.
The thickness of the plate is down to about a quarter of the original thickness, is this "normal" wear for 5 winters? Can I get a neighbour or local welder to weld a new plate across with some new attachment points? (I can't weld - have tried to learn and failed, just one more thing I suck at) If so, what sort of grade of steel should I purchase? Can I get some scrap steel for this? Should I buy a whole new secondary combustion chamber (if for example the thing was originally cast - maybe welds don't last in fireplaces very long?)?
All suggestions and explanations welcome.
FWIW it's a Jindara Duo and I'm Down Under about 10 minutes from the coast very with mild salt air.