Drolet Heatmax 2 rust hole

[Gbawol42]

There are bagillions of these furnaces out there and we aren’t seeing this problem regularly so it could be a defect or something unique about this installation. SBI should be more helpful but I wouldn’t expect them to just send a replacement that might suffer the same fate.

I'm not asking for a handout, but I truly feel it was installed correctly, and I burned this furnace properly. So I want to know (and perhaps warn others) what happened. If it was just from cleaning it really should be known that this could happen if not overly cleaned all the time.

 

[brenndatomu]

If it was just from cleaning it really should be known that this could happen if not overly cleaned all the time.

As I mentioned above...most of where that rusted out is behind the bricks, and behind the bricks is a thin piece of ceramic insulation...which will have to be replaced if you are going to be cleaning behind that...and I have never seen or heard of anyone at SBI recommending that...

 

[bholler]

I'm not asking for a handout, but I truly feel it was installed correctly, and I burned this furnace properly. So I want to know (and perhaps warn others) what happened. If it was just from cleaning it really should be known that this could happen if not overly cleaned all the time.

Did you burn coal treated wood or anything else abnormal in the firebox? I have never seen that level of deterioration in any stove that fast. The air channel looks melted it's an odd one.

 

[Gbawol42]

Did you burn coal treated wood or anything else abnormal in the firebox? I have never seen that level of deterioration in any stove that fast. The air channel looks melted it's an odd one.

Nothing out of the ordinary. Just hardwood.

 

[Secondaryburns]

Well we will see if this gets me anywhere. I contacted them directly before blasting them on here, and it didn't get me anywhere.

Ball is in their court I suppose.

Good day sir.Wondering how you made out with this?My heatmax is rusting out also in the same area.2 yrs old

 

[SappyWood]

Hello... I know this is an older thread; however, I have the same issue with my Heatmax II. I have disconnected the stove pipe during the non-heating season and cleaned the firebox. This week, the back firebrick cracked, and I am replacing the inner brick (unsure of the official name of the bricks).

Purchased in 11/2019

Tonight, I sent an email to Drolet.

tags: Drolet, SBI, Heatmax, rust, Tundra, corrosion

 

[SappyWood]

So it's been a busy summer. Finally got around to really cleaning up and replacing a few firebricks in the heatmax. Then I found out my small rust hole is a lot bigger issue than I thought. I emailed Sbi about it and awaiting their reply. I think I might need a new firebox. Only 3 seasons in it.

If I poked to the left of the air inlet I am sure I would also go through.

Ugh 😫

View attachment 299423

SBI's response to my claim.

The warranty does not cover damages caused by corrosion. The stove pipe is disconnected and capped off at the T during the summer. The stove is cleaned and vacuumed after the burning season. My basement has a sump pump system and a dehumidifier running all summer.

The wood we burn is seasoned and debarked, stacked/stored in a wood shed. The wood shed is in direct sunlight all summer, almost baking the stacked wood. So please hold off on the "wet wood" bashing.

This is a safety issue IMO and should be covered.

Begin forwarded message:
From: Service <[email protected]>
Subject: Question pour le service à la clientèle [ Case #: 00231321 ]
Date: January 9, 2024 at 11:04:36 AM EST
To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
Good morning,

The warranty does not cover damages caused by corrosion. Rust, as seen in the pictures provided, is caused from humidity / moisture.
Please provide the following information, so we may review your case further :

- Pictures showing the complete installation (outside-inside)
- Picture of the unit showing the environment where it is installed
- Picture of the interior fire box including the baffle and all the tubes.
- Picture of the interior door including gasket.

When was the damaged area first noticed?
How much wood do you burn per season?
What kind of wood do you use? Besides wood, do you use other combustible material?
How many hours do you get from a full firebox load?
What size is your house and how many floors? Please inform the dimension of each floor.
In which floor the unit is installed? Describe your installation (chimney size, pattern, etc)

(broken image removed)

Shanyn Hernandez Claims Specialist T : 1-877-356-6663

 

[SappyWood]

Also found this thread - https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/heatmax-2-rust.196213/

 

[woodey]

This is a safety issue IMO and should be covered.

Agreed

 

[Gbawol42]

Agreed

I'm sad to see that this is happening to others as well. I had 2 fairly large sized rust holes and the air tube in the middle was practically gone. Ended up replacing the unit as I didn't trust it.

 

[SappyWood]

My case # with SBI is # 00231321.

I have attached their response and more photos. I did have a local stove shop inspect the firebox, and they stated the root cause was not rust but heat spots. Their suggestion, for now, was to remove the firebricks in the back, line the back with 1/4 firebox insulation, and install new firebricks. They were also surprised that SBI wants you to disconnect the stove pipe during the summer.

Basically, the firebox material is peeling apart like shale rock.

I wonder if we are not seeing more of this because folks are looking behind the bricks.

Good afternoon,

The metal section in question is not a replaceable item. From the picture its apparent that the metal has rusted through. The only possible solution would be to have the damaged section welded.

(broken image removed)

Shanyn Hernandez Claims Specialist T : 1-877-356-6663

 

[Gbawol42]

That's how mine looked as well.

 

[sloeffle]

Wonder if the lighter firebricks on the Tundra, and Heatmax are causing that issue ?

 

[SappyWood]

Wonder if the lighter firebricks on the Tundra, and Heatmax are causing that issue ?

When did they make the switch to the lighter firebricks?

 

[SappyWood]

It appears that the inside firebox is welded, and there doesn't seem to be a way to remove the inner firebox.

Has anyone tried to remove the inner firebox? I'm just trying to understand if the stove can be removed to re-weld a new rear plate.

 

[brenndatomu]

I'm just trying to understand if the stove can be removed to re-weld a new rear plate.

Nope...not without cutting it apart and welding back in...and that would be last resort/SHTF stuff in my book. (or maybe last stop before the scrap heap/use it to heat the shop stuff...)

 

[sloeffle]

When did they make the switch to the lighter firebricks?

When they started selling budget wood furnaces.