Older Hearthstone Mansfield

latitude45 said:

I have a chance to get a good deal on a older Mansfield. only problem seems to be some missing grout. question, how does this effect the unit and how easy a fix is it?

thanks!

Click to expand...

Post some pics. It may not be a Mansfield.

If it is a somewhat current model then missing grout on the outside is no big deal. The stones are each cut with a groove in their sides. This groove accepts a gasket covered metal bar that keys into the groove of the adjacent stone. Lots of cement is blobbed in there as well for looks and to aid the bar in maintaining the seal. The grout is mostly for looks, the gasketed spline(bar) does the sealing.

Still, the grout doesn't usually come out unless the stove was under water or abused somehow.

I would check to see if the stones on top are loose. If they are I would bring a flashlight and look inside the firebox with the baffle and ceramic blanket out to see the condition of the cast framework below the top stones.
It might be a good idea to bring a small vacume to vacume out ash. you never know the conditon untill its cleaned and good light is used inside the firebox to show any cracks, warpage, rust.
I have an older model and it has 8 stones on top.. the newer model has less, 4 or 6, dont know off hand. Mine had some warpage on top. I was able to fix it, but I dont think I would have bought it if I knew then what I know now. I got mine for 400 with a 30 ft flex liner.

Yes you forgot camera

latitude45 said:

It's was an older stove from 1981. Not exactly what I was thinking. But looked ok for an old stove.

Click to expand...

That's what I thought. Not worth it.