Crack in Firex 600

[LikeTheHeat]

Hello All,
I'm a first time forum poster and this is our first pellet stove. We recently purchased a Ravelli RV80 pellet stove (love it) . It was professionally installed, set-up and tuned by a certified dealer. After burning approximately 25 bags of Okanagan Douglas Fur pellets I noticed a small crack in the Firex 600 material within the firebox. I have stopped using the stove because I'm afraid that the crack is a pretty big deal. I will reach out to the dealer but I wanted to get the forums opinion this issue.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[Lake Girl]

How long have you had the stove? Unfortunately, the firex is not covered by a guarantee ... Hoping the dealer comes good on it anyway or at least gives you a really good cut rate on it.

 

[Pelleting In NJ]

I don't think that hairline crack is a big deal, I would continue to use the stove. Behind that Firex is the steel backwall of the firebox, which is the front wall of the exhaust passageway, where the hot exhaust is flowing through anyway.

It would be nice of your dealer to replace it.

 

[FirepotPete]

Save that piece, you can take measurements from it and make a mold and make yourself a new one out of castable refractory cement.

 

[LikeTheHeat]

How long have you had the stove? Unfortunately, the firex is not covered by a guarantee ... Hoping the dealer comes good on it anyway or at least gives you a really good cut rate on it.

Hi Lake Girl, the stoves like two months old. The dealer said it should be covered but I won't know until Monday. They said that I could continue to use the stove until the new on is installed. I'm only running while I'm in here so I think it'll be fine, thoughts?

 

[Deromax]

I'd don't think there are immediate dangers, but would seek a replacement anyway, if only because the stove is brand new and it's state should reflect that fact!

 

[Bioburner]

Almost looks like the crack I have on my Elena. Not broke but just a crack. Been good for three seasons now and just did a complete cleaning of it a couple days ago that should last until summer layup.

 

[LikeTheHeat]

Thanks all, replacement parts covered at no charge by Ravelli and the installation was covered by dealer Enchanted Fireside in Worcester MA. The tech needed to cut both edges with a grinder, the back plate was approx. 3/16 of an inch too big/wide.

 

[FirepotPete]

Thanks all, replacement parts covered at no charge by Ravelli and the installation was covered by dealer Enchanted Fireside in Worcester MA. The tech needed to cut both edges with a grinder, the back plate was approx. 3/16 of an inch too big/wide.

You should take good measurements of those pieces for future use. If they would happen to break/crack again after Ravelli won't cover them they are expensive to replace...UNLESS...you make your own. If you have the measurements you can build a mold and use the refractory cement I mentioned earlier.

 

[MetsFan]

Hello All,
I'm a first time forum poster and this is our first pellet stove. We recently purchased a Ravelli RV80 pellet stove (love it) View attachment 172882 . It was professionally installed, set-up and tuned by a certified dealer. After burning approximately 25 bags of Okanagan Douglas Fur pellets I noticed a small crack in the Firex 600 material within the firebox. I have stopped using the stove because I'm afraid that the crack is a pretty big deal. I will reach out to the dealer but I wanted to get the forums opinion this issue.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

I have the same exact problem, with the same stove, using the same pellets! Not that the pellets have anything to do with it. My stove is only 4 months old. The crack I have is only on the right side, but in the same location as yours. This has to be a manufacturing defect. And I can't understand why Ravelli at first, states that it doesn't warrant the FireX. It's in their product, they must provide warranty replacement. I'm waiting for the company that I bought my stove from to get back to me on this. So buyer beware if you're looking at Ravelli. Ask explicitly if the Firex is covered under warranty.

 

[Pelleting near Philly]

In same boat as all others. Had an RV-100 professionally installed by dealer in August 2016. After a few months of use, here it is, in the same exact spot as all others who posted. This has to be a pervasive defect. Will keep everyone posted after I contact dealer.

 

[tbear853]

..... won't cover them they are expensive to replace...UNLESS...you make your own. If you have the measurements you can build a mold and use the refractory cement I mentioned earlier.

Wonder if that would work to make a replacement log .... my middle one just broke today after all these years?

 

[FirepotPete]

Wonder if that would work to make a replacement log .... my middle one just broke today after all these years?

It would but, you would really need to give it a long cure time depending on how thick it is. You don't want to put it in a hot stove if it has any moisture left in it it will blow apart. I don't know if you could make it in two sessions and let it dry first, I would think it would work just fine and maybe cure faster and better. Or if you wish you can cure it in an oven on very low heat. How long? No idea on something like a log shape.

 

[tbear853]

Thanks!

I know that when I bought the stove (Vermont Castings Reliance 2220, looks a lot like a Harman Accentra) in 1992 and built my hearth, etc ... the stove came with a three log set .... one stays with door, one bolts to back wall, one rested across two "arms" off back log. Middle one is small, and it soon broke. VC Sent me another set and I recall that they were heavier than oem which were light as a feather.
That one has lasted until yesterday. I knew it was cracked ... I just touched it and it broke. It looks like it had a wire mesh rolled inside it when cast.

I saved the pieces. Stove is burning beautifully without it so I may leave well enough alone. It may even smoke the glass less.... we'll see soon. If so, I'll forget the middle log.

 

[railfanron]

Wonder if that would work to make a replacement log .... my middle one just broke today after all these years?

Yes it would. That's what the logs are made of.
Ron