Different Types of Ultra Grate

[susb8383]

Hi,

Getting ready to replace my ultra grate in my Whitfield Advantage Plus. It's so old that one of the bars has broken loose of its weld and is hanging. I thought at first I could just get someone to weld it back on, but then I saw the reason it came loose in the first place is because the ultra grate is starting to crack in a couple of places. So time for a new one.

Here's my question: I see two different replacements I can get.

1. The same one I have: 13 bars welded into place:
(broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/ultra-grate-wt-deflectorkit-160502460-p-3457.html)

2. Similar to what I have but the openings at the bottom are cut out of the metal, not bars welded on:
(broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/whitfield-burn-grate-wo-deflectorkit-160502460-p-12129.html)

Anyone know the difference in terms of performance, durability, etc? I see the one with the openings is cheaper so I'm leaning toward that.

--Susie

 

[velotocht]

Susie:
I've also looked at these two grates for replacement - and wondered which one I should purchase when I need it. My thinking is that I wll go with the more expensive one - with the defector. This one looks like this one hangs deeper in the lower ash tray than does the non-deflector version. I have the cheaper (non deflector) one now. I have an issue with a few handfuls of pellets (per bag) popping out of the pot and landing in the ash trays - unburned. Therefore, the deeper (deflector) one would probably work better for me. I've tried reducing air flow - but I start to get smoke, inefficient burning, and ash build up in the grate instead of the ash trays. Currently, I scoop the 'popped out' pellets with a big metal perforated spoon and toss them back into the burn pot.

PS -- these thing are rediculously expensive! I know stainless steel is expensive to weld and work with - but these pots, like many parts for these stoves, are marked up several fold.

Good luck. Let us know how the new burn pot works out.

RonB

 

[susb8383]

Hi Ron,

Did you ever end up getting the ultra grate with deflector? If so, did it solve your problem?

--Susie

 

[velotocht]

Susie:
I did not buy the deeper Ultra grate yet -- I currently have the 13-bar welded one supplied with the stove but a few of the shorter (lighter) pellets still pop out. I use a perforated (big) cooking spoon to spoon the 'popers' out of the ash tray and throw-em back in the burn grate. I scoop about 2 big spoon fulls per bag - so it's not the end of the world.

If I drop my air flow any more I get a lazy flame. Using more expensive (denser) pellets helps. I'm hoping to find some stainless wire mesh cheap to build a deflector shield --- when I have time!

Take care. Let us know how the new grate works out.

RonB

 

[arnash]

$145. Wow! A small metal pot that would cost $5. if made in China. Before I'd shell out that kind of money I'd seriously consider buying an arc-welder to make my own, ( or maybe rent one). The bottom doesn't have to be a grate, mine is one piece of metal front, bottom, and back with rows of holes for air flow. And it doesn't have to be stainless steel. My sure isn't. I don't know what it looked like when new (1988) but it's very flat finish surface makes no difference to the fire.

 

[susb8383]

Hey Ron,

I think you're right. The one with the welded bars shows on their website as 3.5 inches high.

The one with the laser cut slots is only 3 inches high. I asked woodheatstoves and they emailed the manufacturer and got this reply:
The pot itself is 2 1/4 " deep. The ends are short at 2 1/4" (the depth
of the pot)
But the sides, which are the tallest portion, are 3" .

So maybe all the people that are having trouble with pellets popping out (I found a few threads) have this in common. They don't say what kind of grate they have.

Arnash, yeah it would be much cheaper to make one. For me it would be just one more unfinished project. But maybe somebody should start making them and selling them. So if yours is one piece of metal, not a grate, how does the ash fall through to the ash pan?

--Susie

 

[susb8383]

Actually, Arnash, it gets even worse than that.

The aftermarket one with welded bars is $184, and the Lennox grate is $218!

 

[pastera]

Looked at my grate - I have a crack running between two of the air holes

I'm thinking a carbon steel replacement will last a few years so I may make one this summer - also know someone with a cnc punch press so I might be able to get most of it punched out cheap (even in stainless)

Aaron

 

[CJ-SR4ever]

I would definately find a metal fabricator that can make one for you. Just be careful what type of steel is used. I have seen a few fabricated grates that dont last a week because the metal that was used could not handle the high heat.

 

[arnash]

Arnash, yeah it would be much cheaper to make one. For me it would be just one more unfinished project. But maybe somebody should start making them and selling them. So if yours is one piece of metal, not a grate, how does the ash fall through to the ash pan?

--Susie[/quote]
The front, bottom, and back are one piece bent into the pot shape, with the two sides welded on at each end, angling inward at the bottom. The bottom has 3 rows of holes for the air to get in and the ash to fall through. The holes I assume were drilled out, which was more costly to make since the hard steel would dull drill bits very quickly. So I discovered when I labored to enlarge 5 holes. But the construction is virtually indestructible. It's so simple and so cheap, I can't believe the outrageous prices being extorted from the public. For prices like those a pot/grate should shine your shoes and wash your car.