cracked grate

[cc rangeley]

I discovered a cracked/bent grate this morning when cleaning the ashes from my one year old Jotul Rangeley. It's created a larger gap in the grate. I might've broken it yesterday when raking the coals but Im not sure. I saw another post about a cracked grate but didn't see a discussion of either potential danger (?) or how to repair the grate. How do I get this fixed? Any advice? Thanks...

 

[cc rangeley]

After posting my query, it occurred to me that a potential - quick - fix could be to lay the "roasting" sheet/grate from my charcoal grill over the (1 inch or so) gap in the woodstove grate. Also thought about having a welder make me a mini-grate to lay over the gap. Either one could prevent any big coals from falling into the ash pan. Does that make sense?

 

[KaptJaq]

The problem is not how to fix it, you can get a replacement from one of the on-line stove part shops. I would be more concerned with why it cracked. I am burning a 35 year old stove and the grate is still in good shape. Do you run the stove very hot? Over-fire? Too much air in via the bottom of the stove? You might want to examin your burning techniques...

KaptJaq

 

[cc rangeley]

No, I dont burn too hot - usually around 400-450 degrees. I did get it up to almost 600 last night - the hottest Ive ever burned. This morning when I was raking the coals with the poker the hook got caught in the grate. ...As far as replacement, I found the Jotul grate on line - should I have my installer do it or is it relatively simple? Thanks -

 

[KaptJaq]

On the parts diagram it looks like it should drop in. Since yours is a little warped it may be difficult to get the old one out. Before I called I would let the stove cool and see what it takes to get the grate out.

While you are replacing things, what is the condition of your firebricks?


KaptJaq

 

[Slow1]

I'm with KaptJaq, why did it crack? Do you have an ashpan and are you using it to "give a boost" on startup or anything?

 

[cc rangeley]

I'm with KaptJaq, why did it crack? Do you have an ashpan and are you using it to "give a boost" on startup or anything?

I do have an ashpan but Ive never done anything to give the fire "a boost." For the first time ever, the stovetop thermometer hit 600 last night - I'd filled the stove with kiln dried wood Id just gotten & it caught on much faster and hotter than my usual wood. I usually burn 400-450 tops. The Rangeley manual says up to 700 is OK, so Im surprised the grate would crack at 600. I was fussing with the logs using the poker later in the evening & maybe broke the grate then.

 

[begreen]

A grate should not crack under normal use. Do a test on the ash pan door to make sure it is sealing tightly. Sometimes ash can build up behind the pan keeping the door from closing tightly.If all is in order, report the cracked grate to the dealer.

 

[cc rangeley]

A grate should not crack under normal use. Do a test on the ash pan door to make sure it is sealing tightly. Sometimes ash can build up behind the pan keeping the door from closing tightly.If all is in order, report the cracked grate to the dealer.

The ash pan was very full this morning & I did have some spillover, but I hadnt opened it since the last emptying & had regular fires all week until last night's hotter one. I called the stove dealer to order the new grate. Im getting my chimney cleaned next week, so they could check the stove then.

 

[begreen]

Always check behind the ash pan for built up ash. Use a flash light and a poker because it's hard to see. Also examine the ash pan door gasket to be sure it is in good condition and has no coals embedded in it. Test the ash pan door as several locations with the dollar bill test to be sure it is sealing tightly.

 

[KaptJaq]

Just out of curiosity, how old is the stove and are you the first owner? To crack a grate with a poker would take a really hard whack. Something, either a manufacturing defect if it is new or extended excessive heat if it older, weakened that grate first.

KaptJaq

 

[begreen]

This is a stretch but could another possibility be a sudden thermal shock? Maybe an ice coated split hitting the grate hard?

 

[cc rangeley]

Just out of curiosity, how old is the stove and are you the first owner? To crack a grate with a poker would take a really hard whack. Something, either a manufacturing defect if it is new or extended excessive heat if it older, weakened that grate first.

KaptJaq

A manufacturing defect -that's something I was wondering, since I bought the stove new only a year ago and do not burn super hot fires. I was pushing the logs around with the poker when the stove was full last night - that's my guess when it could've happened... When I called the stove store, they said they said they were going to "look things up" about my stove purchase and get me the part. I wonder if they were thinking it might be covered in the warranty as defective.

 

[cc rangeley]

This is a stretch but could another possibility be a sudden thermal shock? Maybe an ice coated split hitting the grate hard?

I dont think so...as I had a bed of ash & coals and the wood I brought in was bone dry. ...Also Ive gotten a lot of questions about the ash pan...except for last night's 600 degrees, Ive never had a fire over 550.

 

[Hearthland]

I discovered a cracked/bent grate this morning when cleaning the ashes from my one year old Jotul Rangeley. It's created a larger gap in the grate. I might've broken it yesterday when raking the coals but Im not sure. I saw another post about a cracked grate but didn't see a discussion of either potential danger (?) or how to repair the grate. How do I get this fixed? Any advice? Thanks...

Are you talking about a removable grate? If so either order a new one or you might be able to get it welded. I have a 1975 defiant wood stove that i am trying to seel and a guy came yesterday and looked at it. The back fire plate has a crack. he said he would have to take the stove apart and have it welded. Does this sound right to people?

 

[KaptJaq]

I have a 1975 defiant wood stove that i am trying to seel and a guy came yesterday and looked at it. The back fire plate has a crack. he said he would have to take the stove apart and have it welded. Does this sound right to people?

I would start a new thread with "Defiant 1975 back plate" in the title to get some attention...

I would also try to get a replacement casting. If it is cracked it is also probably warped. Gonna be hard to get out and put back. Also, the abuse that the back plate takes would be hard on a welded piece.

KaptJaq

 

[BobUrban]

and welding cast is a coin toss at best for even the most experienced welder in an application such as this with continuous heating and cooling. The cast will react differently than the weld seam and you will have another matching crack in no time.

Post your question in the pre-EPA forum and you will get a ton of good information as well as info on where to buy a new part. Tons of VC parts available.

 

[Kool_hand_Looke]

As long as you preheat and post heat cast welding i isn't as scary as people mke it out to be. And you've gotta use nickel rods.

Post heat it and bring i down from interpass temperatures slowly. Post heat can be achieved with heat blankets and a torch.