Englander 30 Ash Plug Elimination Thoughts.

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pen

pen

There are some who call me...mod.
Staff member
Aug 2, 2007
7,968
N.E. Penna
Looked up at the stove tonight and for some reason the shiny knob of the ash drawer caught my eye for the first time in a few years.

I've never used the thing and during the active burning season continually curse out that damn lip on the plug (or handle or whatever it is) when cleaning out ashes.

Haven't cleaned out ashes yet since it's just small to med fires and I haven't quite gone through a face cord yet and I like to keep the ashes up in the shoulder season anyway.

Regardless, my question is, anyone simply cut a piece of firebrick to replace this thing? I'm between taking the plug out and getting the "handle" cut off vs. just removing it and setting it behind the stove w/ a brick in it's place. Don't want to replace it w/ brick if others have had troubles w/ air leaking around it and having it mess w/ the burn.

I usually play around with this sort of stuff myself but there is enough time where my wife is the one operating the stove that I don't want to put the experimental phase (read my self-made issue) on her.

My guess is that ash would quickly fill the gaps and seal but wanted to see if others have experience here first.

Thanks,

pen
 
Very interested also. . . . Only cleaned a couple times and its a PITA. . . Dont know how ya'll made it this long.

Does not seem like it seals that well. A good ash base should help seal the brick. If there was a problem?
 
Pen, I am not an owner, but an observer. That plug would seriously tick me off. I wouldn't be afraid of replacing the brick for a permanent fix. The ash will seal it quickly.

Just one dudes opinion.
 
Thanks Jags, thats my thought too. I figured w/ so many of these things out there that someone on here would have tried already.

pen
 
I'd like to get rid of mine too....that lil "jigger"is a PIA... >:-(
 
I have been threatening to replace the thing for years and forget in the off season. I think I am gonna get around to replacing it with a piece of firebrick this year. I will probably put a little piece of stainless over the hole.
 
They could save a few bucks on the mfg cost, no one would miss it or the ash pan and everyone would be happy. BB needs to suggest it.
 
Ash pans are like screens for open stove burning. Everybody thinks they have to have one until they have the stove installed and realize otherwise. If ESW took the thing off the stove it would probably knock a big hole in sales. I wish they had a plug you could buy that just didn't have that hump on top of it.
 
You could take the plug out and grind the top flat, and place it back in and forget about it.
 
sebring said:
You could take the plug out and grind the top flat, and place it back in and forget about it.
Click to expand...

That's been my debate, grind it off or just put a brick in place. Not sure if that plug really provides any better seal than a block would. Hmm, I do have furnace cement. Suppose I could seal just around that hole w/ a bit then sit the cut brick in place of that plug.

pen
 
We cut the top lug off of the ash plug & sanded it smooth so it was flush with the cast iron top. We did this when the unit was new, seeing it would be a hassle during the cleaning of the firebox. We also removed the dog house & fastened in a stainless steel plate
where the dog house lived.
 
Turn it upside down. I cussed that thing all the time then a little light came on in this dense brain. No more cussing.
 
BrotherBart said:
Ash pans are like screens for open stove burning. Everybody thinks they have to have one until they have the stove installed and realize otherwise. If ESW took the thing off the stove it would probably knock a big hole in sales. I wish they had a plug you could buy that just didn't have that hump on top of it.
Click to expand...

Yes, I wish at least they would make it an option. It is on the less expensive versions of the PE stoves, but not on the Alderlea. Too bad, that would be a nice, instant $140 discount. In the meantime, vacuum it out, then use the ash pan as a bun warmer.
 
cre73 said:
Turn it upside down. I cussed that thing all the time then a little light came on in this dense brain. No more cussing.
Click to expand...

Mine has a "plug" on the bottom and a "handle" on the top, it wouldn't turn around I don't believe.

pen
 
pen said:
cre73 said:
Turn it upside down. I cussed that thing all the time then a little light came on in this dense brain. No more cussing.
Click to expand...

Mine has a "plug" on the bottom and a "handle" on the top, it wouldn't turn around I don't believe.

pen
Click to expand...
Maybe the older ones were like that. On my 12, it had a little block of steel with a loop on top. New 30 has that stupid plug. I put firebrick in mine after I filled the tray with ash. That's a whole different complaint. The ash pan size with regards to the cavity it sits in...
 
One possibility is to order another one from Englander and grind it down, keeping the original if you think you might not like the change.

On my '30, I've got the plug so the narrow side of the tab is going N/S so it's pretty much out of the way.

FWIW, I use the ash pan on my '30 and like it for these reasons:

1. The ash I put down through the hole is generally very fine and/or small and it easily falls through to the ash pan. I use a little fireplace shovel to scrape the ash to the hole. I shake the pan to get the ash to level out as I fill it.

2. I like to let the ash, especially when it has some hot coals in it, cool in the ash pan for a few days. I then take the ash out and spread it on my lawn. The pan holds a lot of ash and if I just empty it after the ash/coals cool, there's one less ash can to keep up with around the house.

Good luck,
Bill
 
Stove is cool enough. I think I'm going to cut some firebrick tonight since I haven't heard of a problem yet from anyone who tried it. Listen for the fire whistle :smirk:

pen
 
pen said:
Stove is cool enough. I think I'm going to cut some firebrick tonight since I haven't heard of a problem yet. Listen for the fire whistle :smirk:

pen
Click to expand...
Pen, no need to cut anything. There are two little chunks of firebrick on either side of the plug. Those two pieces with the plug equal one whole firebrick!
 
Danno77 said:
pen said:
Stove is cool enough. I think I'm going to cut some firebrick tonight since I haven't heard of a problem yet. Listen for the fire whistle :smirk:

pen
Click to expand...
Pen, no need to cut anything. There are two little chunks of firebrick on either side of the plug. Those two pieces with the plug equal one whole firebrick!
Click to expand...

Brilliant!!!!
 
looks like we got a smart one here!

thanks
 
greythorn3 said:
looks like we got a smart one here!
Click to expand...

About time!! :lol:
 
Looks like the extra firebrick I had was probably the only non-dimensional one of the bunch. It was just over an 1/8 inch too long to replace one short piece and about 1 inch too short to go it on its own. Tried pushing the one in the back further back but it was already home. Rather than switch the blade on the circ saw or try and knock just that little bit off, I just took the rock chisel and broke this firebrick to size and kept both factory short pieces. I put some furnace cement around the hole to seal the firebrick just to assuage my OCD a bit even though a plain firebrick just set there would probably seal better than that plug anyway after examining it.

Since I have said "pics or it didn't happen" on here probably 200 times, I figure I had better put one up.

Anyone w/ a 30 out here actually use this plug regularly for an extended period of time?

Thanks for the advice folks,

pen
 

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pen said:
Anyone w/ a 30 out here actually use this plug regularly for an extended period of time?
Click to expand...

Nope. and mine will be on the shelf in the garage next to the doghouse by sundown tomorrow. The hump sits right where I like to put the Super Cedar.

Thanks
 
BrotherBart said:
pen said:
Anyone w/ a 30 out here actually use this plug regularly for an extended period of time?
Click to expand...

Nope. and mine will be on the shelf in the garage next to the doghouse by sundown tomorrow. The hump sits right where I like to put the Super Cedar.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'll be interested to see how your piece of firebrick fits. Mine was close

pen
 
pen said:
I'll be interested to see how your piece of firebrick fits. Mine was close
Click to expand...

I hope mine fits. I don't have a brick chisel. I could swear that I tried to put one in there a long time ago and it didn't fit.
 
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