when to rebuild a wood stove

[sparksalot]

i bought a jotul castine wood stove 3yrs ago and have read that they have to be rebuilt every few years or so....what is a few years and how can i tell when to rebuild? wondering if i should have not gone cast iron..

 

[elkimmeg]

gasketing 4-6- years use CAST IRON NOT WElDED STEEL 10- 12 Years depending upon usage for rebuilding

 

[seaken]

i bought a jotul castine wood stove 3yrs ago and have read that they have to be rebuilt every few years or so....what is a few years and how can i tell when to rebuild? wondering if i should have not gone cast iron..

A smoke test or a light test will help determine is the seals are bad. I have had cast iron stoves last well over 12 years without the need for a reuild. ANd I've had some need it after two years. There is no way to know from here. You'll need to so a test on the seals. If in doubt, rebuild it and repack all the seal joints with fresh new furnace cement.

Sean

 

[adrpga498]

Sparky,
I have the same stove and its been buring the same as the day I bought it in 2001. I'll keep a closer eye on it as I go through this season. Although I hope it continues as is for another few years. Door gaskets are still very tight.

 

[begreen]

i bought a jotul castine wood stove 3yrs ago and have read that they have to be rebuilt every few years or so....what is a few years and how can i tell when to rebuild? wondering if i should have not gone cast iron..

In general, when you find the fire harder to control and damp down, then it's time to check the gaskets. I haven't experienced premature problems with the cast iron stoves I owned. The 602 finally got rebuilt after 15 years of service. Sounds like the writer might have been refering to the bad run of VC stoves in the 80's & 90's. Sometimes one can't believe everything one reads.

Jotul makes good stoves. If your stove is buring correctly and controls the way it did new, then I wouldn't worry much about this for a few more years. And then, it might just need new door and ash pan gaskets and a good cleaning.

 

[heydan]

This is one reason I chose a steel stove -- no rebuilding necessary. The parts are welded and bent, not held together with furnace cement.