Exhaust Blower Latch Cover Stuck!

[Cat Jones]

What it says on the tin: My wife and I are trying to clean the stove (Harman P68), but the exhaust blower cover's latch is stuck. I opened it at the tail end of last season (2 months after we purchased it) for a cleanout, but I needed to use pliers and a mallet.

The company who sold it to us is having trouble getting back to me about whether this is a big deal -- basically, is it SUPPOSED to be nearly impossible to open? Or should it swing open and shut easily? When we bought it, the guy opened and shut it without much of a big deal, but after use/winter/summer/ash/rust.... does it get harder?

Let me know if you need pics/more details -- I've googled the heck out of this and am still stuck!

 

[kinsmanstoves]

use a little penetrating oil such as WD40 on it and let it set then try it. Some do require a pair of pliers but never a hammer.

Eric

 

[Cat Jones]

use a little penetrating oil such as WD40 on it and let it set then try it. Some do require a pair of pliers but never a hammer.

Eric

Thank you! Any worries re: flammability of the penetrating oil?

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Thank you! Any worries re: flammability of the penetrating oil?

Don't spray it on a flame. don't act like Uncle Charlie at a BBQ, and go easy. You will not have a problem.

 

[Cat Jones]

Worked like a charm! Thanks so much for the help. Hooray for my nice warm house.

 

[Bioburner]

I put on a liberal amount of never seize on ours after cleanup. No problems since.