I have a 3 year old Vermont Casting stove and I delveloped a hairline crack about 5 inches long on the top near the exhaust. No smoke comes out of the crack. Is the stove still usable? Why did this happen? Thank You Dennis Hershey
Crack in stove
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Do you still burn it with the damper open? Are you still burning 2X4's? What did you do about the broken andiron and broken damper back in December?
DMH said:
Based on earlier information, VC is not providing warranties on stoves bought before 2007.
But, if it is near the exhaust, maybe it is in the flue collar? That should be an easy and inexpensive part to replace.
Also, chances are that the stove can be used for now if it is a hairline.
DMH said:
Most likely your stove got too hot, too fast. Cast Iron will crack if it does not heat and cool somewhat evenly. If V.C. can't help you, a good welder can. Have him/her drill an 1/8" hole at the exact ends of the crack, then weld with short, straight beads, 1/2 to 1 inch long, with nickel welding rod, stopping to lightly peen each bead, before aplying the next. This work should be done slowly to keep the heat down. If the crack returns during the welding process, The stove will have to be disasembled, the section preheated to a very dull, dark red, welded, post heated, and allowed to cool slowly, burried in ashes, or dry sand. If anyone wants to braze your stove, or not drill holes at the ends of the crack, take it somewhere else.
Thanks for all the advice. For now I will keep burning as long as no smoke comes out of the crack. I am probably over burning, but I try hard not to. I am thinking I will buy a Jotul next year if I have too. Any advice on that stove? I will stay away from Vermont Castings as my Encore non-cat stove had the damper break away, both andirons broke and it took 6 weeks to get news ones. The glass on one door cracked, but I replaced this at a glass shop for $75 in 1 hour with glass that can be heated to 1400 degrees. It does heat great though and my entire house except the basement is always quite warm. BTU about 40,000.
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