Spot by Door Hinges

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olivermb

New Member
Dec 3, 2011
13
Pennsylvania
Hi All,

I've been working and practicing with our new QF Voyageur insert over the last week, and things are going pretty well! The fire is burning very cleanly, and it's putting out a lot of nice heat with the help of a slow revolving ceiling fan. Over the last week with daytime temps in the 30s and nighttime as low as 18, our furnace has come on only twice for about 5 minutes.

The glass on the insert is staying pretty clean now -- but there's one spot that always seems to come up within about 5 minutes of firing it up. The rest of the glass is clean. The spot is right by the hinges on the left side of the stove. This spot won't burn off. And when I look at the gasket I see there's a very small gap there. I've tried to take pictures of both the spot and the small gap (about 1/2 inch or so).

Does anyone think this could be causing the spot? Or is it just the hinges? Or should I just take a chill pill and not worry about it?

Any advice is welcome.

My thanks,

Mary
 

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First, I would call the manufacturer and find out if this can be fixed or ajusted. If not, I wouldn't worry about it too much, my Lopi Revere does the same thing and has for the past six years. You will likely get a bit of crud by the door latch too.
 
There should not be a gap in the gasket. The reason you are getting black there is because the cool air is being let in there. You may need to replace the gasket completely but do not fret as it is not costly nor is it difficult. You manual should have the information you need as for gasket size. Gaskets can be purchased at most hardware stores.
 
You can always try to cut a small pc of rope gasket and fill the space missing in the gasket with it.
Cut the new pc of gasket slightly longer than the space you need to fill, then use high temp silicone or gasket cement to adhere it to the door where the gap is.
 
We'll be waiting for a report.
 
Good luck, Mary !! Go for it :)
 
Hi Guys,

I can't tell you how much I wanted for this to work, but after all of this, the spot is still there. There are three distinct places: there by the hinges, at 1 o'clock, and at 11 o'clock. The one by the hinges is the worst. The others are bad. Will always show up within a day. I've tried everything I can think of. Kiln-dried wood from two different sources, cleaners, etc. I appreciate the problem of wet wood, but I've spent quite a bit of time ruling that out as a problem. I've spent a lot of money now trying to figure out why this is happening. I asked my dealer for names of people who have bought the insert from him, and he gave me some. They tell me they love the stove, but they have to clean it about every 4th time they use it. That is definitely not what I wanted.

After reading the forums I checked a panel associated with an outside air kit, etc. I don't think the draft is right. The fact that there are spots distinctly is suggesting to me that there is something about the structure of the insert. Other people have mentioned the same exact spots.

I'm leaning to a new stove. I think I've gotten worn down now from trying ruling out possible alternatives. At this point, I'm getting pretty darn sick of trying to weave gold out of straw. Ideas?

I wish I had better news to share about the spot by the hinges, and I very much appreciate the insight.

Please wish me luck.

My best,

Mary
 
For a QF Voyageur that according to the manufacturer's website starts at $2,779, I'd be upset too.

I have a Century CW2500 which is about the same size. Cost $500 three years ago. My glass was clean the first year, now I get a black mark like your first post's photo.

I use a cheap tool that holds an oldfashion razor in it (99 cents at Lowes a year ago) to scrape the glass before using it.

Your QF Voyageur though is way more visually appealing than my $500 CW2500 bought at a local big box store.

Too bad the dealer can't get the manufacturer to be more accomodating -- you'd think the dealer and/or manufacturer would give you a fair amount of extra gasket rope as a freebie if you're experience that issue on a $2,779 stove.
 
I wouldn't give up just yet on that insert. Of course, you may already have had it replaced :)

But if not, I'd wait a spell and burn that puppy. It really hasn't been that cold yet, and you likely haven't burned it real hot yet.

Have you had it stuffed full of good hardwood and crankin'?
 
Hi Mary;

I might have missed it in a previous post but did you do the dollar bill test to check how your seal is on the whole door gasket.

zap / The wording below is from your maual on page 20. Have you checked the glass frame yet?

Keep door and glass gasket in good shape to
maintain good burn times on a low burn setting.
To test: place a dollar bill between the stove
and door and then shut the door. If you can
pull the dollar out, remove one washer from
door handle behind latch cam and try again. If
you can still pull it out, replace the door gasket.
Check the glass frame for loose screws to
prevent air leakage. Check glass for cracks.
 
zapny said:
The wording below is from your maual on page 20. Have you checked the glass frame yet?

Keep door and glass gasket in good shape to
maintain good burn times on a low burn setting.
To test: place a dollar bill between the stove
and door and then shut the door. If you can
pull the dollar out, remove one washer from
door handle behind latch cam and try again. If
you can still pull it out, replace the door gasket.
Check the glass frame for loose screws to
prevent air leakage.
Check glass for cracks.

Ditto!

Her leak in the first post's photo is by the upper hinge.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone! Friday the installer came to put the surround on it, and check everything. I've also tried to cut a little piece of gasket and put it in that spot, and I think it helped. If I'm not super careful at start-up and reload the spot will show up, but otherwise I think I'm getting it under control. I think I'll fiddle with it and ride it out this season, and if it continues to be an irritant, I'll replace the whole gasket in the spring.

I have to say, I looooove my dealer -- he's the best. Was really willing to bend over backwards to help me out on this.

I also have to say that other than a few things like this, I'm coming to fall in love with my insert. Damn, it looks great. This insert and the weather that's now spitting flurries has made me a bourbon drinker again :) . Lovin' it. I'll post some nice pics soon.

Again, everyone, thanks so much.

Mary
 
Good to hear it's working better. When you get a chance, can you add your stove make/model to your signature?
 
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