Harman scraping tools

[Luv2burnPellets]

I have just about worn out my original Harman scraping tool (not the triangle end ) after going thru about 8 tons or so. As we all know, it can take a fair amount of effort to scrape and remove the black carbon build up on the burn plate. The scraping edge has become rounded out, it being made from softer stainless steel. I could just grind a fresh edge on it, but never really felt that Harman had a good design on such an essential cleaning tool. It is not comfortable to hold, and not really stiff enough or long enough or hold an edge long enough to be considered a well designed tool. Anyone agree with me? What alternatives have proven to be better? Has any one designed a home made tool that works better? Or a better solution available to purchase? I bet fellow forum members have come up with a better tool. On the plus side, the triangle end does seem to work good for cleaning the heat exchanger, but I have found a long offset wooden handle 2 inch paint brush ($3) from Harbor Freight does an even better job cleaning the top and sides of the stove.

 

[newf lover]

This is what I use. Rarely use the Harman tool except to push the ash into the ash pan. Can get cheaper brand of these. Never posted a picture, don't know if I'm doing this right.

 

[Phoenix Hatchling]

This is what I use. Rarely use the Harman tool except to push the ash into the ash pan. Can get cheaper brand of these. Never posted a picture, don't know if I'm doing this right.

What are these called and where from?

 

[Luv2burnPellets]

You did a good job posting the pic. It looks like a decent tool. Does it hold an edge? Is it stiff enough to deal with the carbon? Did you modify the edge or use as is out of the box? Did I see that it is a Craftsman tool?

 

[GeHmTS]

This is what I use. Rarely use the Harman tool except to push the ash into the ash pan. Can get cheaper brand of these. Never posted a picture, don't know if I'm doing this right.

This is what I use too. You can get it at Sears in the tool department. You can get them bent so that they scrape off the carbon a whole lot easier. Harman's knows about these tools, but don't add them to the sell because it's feared that they may be used as a weapon.

 

[Luv2burnPellets]

If you hide this behind the stove, would you need a concealed weapon permit?

 

[boo boo]

Wide flat head screw driver is what I use for the weekly burn pot cleaning
Used warn out paint brush for the rest.
The Harman tool for the daily scrape and stir

 

[RKS130]

This is what I used too. You can get it at Sears in the tool department. You can get them bent so that they scrape off the carbon a whole lot easier. Harman's knows about these tool, but don't add them to the sell because it's feared that they may be used as a weapon.

I like this Craftsman gasket Scraper. Not sure why the picture is so dark, but you get the idea.

 

[GeHmTS]

If you hide this behind the stove, would you need a concealed weapon permit?

lol. No conceal weapon permit is necessary in your residence.

 

[CBL]

I usually use a big flat heat screw driver for the tough carbon buildup. But ever since I've been burning soft wood the carbon buildup is minimal and soft so the harman tool does just fine knocking anything out of the burn pot.

 

[Ctcarl]

I like this Craftsman gasket Scraper. Not sure why the picture is so dark, but you get the idea.

View attachment 130820

Thank you for giving the name gnna be getting one next week

 

[BigJohnfromCT]

I have just about worn out my original Harman scraping tool (not the triangle end ) after going thru about 8 tons or so. As we all know, it can take a fair amount of effort to scrape and remove the black carbon build up on the burn plate. The scraping edge has become rounded out, it being made from softer stainless steel. I could just grind a fresh edge on it, but never really felt that Harman had a good design on such an essential cleaning tool. It is not comfortable to hold, and not really stiff enough or long enough or hold an edge long enough to be considered a well designed tool. Anyone agree with me? What alternatives have proven to be better? Has any one designed a home made tool that works better? Or a better solution available to purchase? I bet fellow forum members have come up with a better tool. On the plus side, the triangle end does seem to work good for cleaning the heat exchanger, but I have found a long offset wooden handle 2 inch paint brush ($3) from Harbor Freight does an even better job cleaning the top and sides of the stove.

Yep, the tool that came with my Quad is a real disappointment. I use a long screw driver as suggested by one of the install techs.

 

[Luv2burnPellets]

Here is a pic of the Harbor freight offset paint brush. Wooden handle is about a foot long. About $3. Works very good petty much everwhere inside stove, especially useful in cleaning the heat exchanger up top.

 

[BGStG1aholic]

cool, gotta get me one of them brushes

I've been using the round stiff bristle parts cleaning brush from harbor freight but this one looks great especially for up top

 

[Hoot23]

 

[TonyVideo]

I also use a long chisel of hardened steel.

 

[mik_kane]

I just re-purpose things for a brush I use the brush from an old ice scraper and for the carbon just use an old screw driver.

 

[mik_kane]

These detail brushes look interesting for the heat exchanger

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-piece-detail-brush-set-69526.html

 

[RKS130]

Thank you for giving the name gnna be getting one next week

By the way the gasket scrapers come in multiple widths, either individually for about $10 each, or in sets of 3 for $23, last time I looked. Well just looked again, and I remembered correctly for a change.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...ispla=00943293000P&sid=IDx20131030xMPAPxCPA28

I also use a nice offset brass bristled brush which had been around the house, unused, for years before we bought the stove. Of course, the minute Madame DeFarge saw what I had used, she raised bloody h**l because it is her suede cleaning brush. Oh well.

 

[Tonyray]

By the way the gasket scrapers come in multiple widths, either individually for about $10 each, or in sets of 3 for $23, last time I looked. Well just looked again, and I remembered correctly for a change.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...ispla=00943293000P&sid=IDx20131030xMPAPxCPA28

I also use a nice offset brass bristled brush which had been around the house, unused, for years before we bought the stove. Of course, the minute Madame DeFarge saw what I had used, she raised bloody h**l because it is her suede cleaning brush. Oh well.

I imagine the sharp end of any of those alternate tools will dull aslo after hundreds of scrapings?

 

[02809bristol]

By the way the gasket scrapers come in multiple widths, either individually for about $10 each, or in sets of 3 for $23, last time I looked. Well just looked again, and I remembered correctly for a change.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...ispla=00943293000P&sid=IDx20131030xMPAPxCPA28

I also use a nice offset brass bristled brush which had been around the house, unused, for years before we bought the stove. Of course, the minute Madame DeFarge saw what I had used, she raised bloody h**l because it is her suede cleaning brush. Oh well.

If anyone lives near a Harbor Freight store I saw a 3pc set for $10.

 

[bas157]

Craftsman gasket scraper is what I use for the burn pot. WAY better than the factory tool! Any metal gasket scraper really should work OK.

 

[RKS130]

I imagine the sharp end of any of those alternate tools will dull aslo after hundreds of scrapings?

I have had mine for 3 seasons and it is still as sharp as when I got it.

 

[Ctcarl]

Well I'm going to the sears down the street after wrk Tommow . I think this is a fantastic idea

 

[RKS130]

Well I'm going to the sears down the street after wrk Tommow . I think this is a fantastic idea

Hopefully, like me, you will be happy happy!