How do I safely try my wood stove?

[faultymechanics]

Now that the wife and I have moved in and spent plenty of money elsewhere; there’s nothing really left for a new wood stove. I’m hoping to get what we have working.

Currently there’s a Vermont Castings WinterWarm that needs to be cleaned(externally) but seems to be complete.

We had a sweep come last year after we bought the house and they used a camera inside the liner. There was two very small nicks, well under the size of a dime. I’m thinking that’s plenty safe to use occasionally? Definitely let me know if you think otherwise.

Ive never used a wood stove before and don’t know the EXACT condition of our WinterWarm. What would be the best way to proceed. I’ve read a good bit on how to stack the wood inside and start the fire.

I will say it seems the door won’t seem to close and latch all the way. It latches enough to keep the door shut but I’m not sure how tight of a seal I’m getting.

 

[bholler]

Now that the wife and I have moved in and spent plenty of money elsewhere; there’s nothing really left for a new wood stove. I’m hoping to get what we have working.

Currently there’s a Vermont Castings WinterWarm that needs to be cleaned(externally) but seems to be complete.

We had a sweep come last year after we bought the house and they used a camera inside the liner. There was two very small nicks, well under the size of a dime. I’m thinking that’s plenty safe to use occasionally? Definitely let me know if you think otherwise.

Ive never used a wood stove before and don’t know the EXACT condition of our WinterWarm. What would be the best way to proceed. I’ve read a good bit on how to stack the wood inside and start the fire.

I will say it seems the door won’t seem to close and latch all the way. It latches enough to keep the door shut but I’m not sure how tight of a seal I’m getting.

What type of liner is it that has nicks in it?

 

[faultymechanics]

Corrugated looking metal liner. Kind of reminds me of the dryer vent some people use.

 

[bholler]

Corrugated looking metal liner. Kind of reminds me of the dryer vent some people use.

Ok by nicks do you mean dents or holes?

 

[faultymechanics]

Ok by nicks do you mean dents or holes?

Two very tiny, maybe a bit bigger than a sesame seed, holes in the liner.

 

[bholler]

I wouldn't use a liner with holes in it in my own house.

 

[faultymechanics]

Well that stinks guess I need another reline quote regardless. Above all else I want to be safe so I really appreciate your input.

in the mean time I can start tinkering with the stove I guess…. Try and get the door to close entirely? I can fix that plus the damper and door gasket. If they’re bad.

 

[bholler]

Well that stinks guess I need another reline quote regardless. Above all else I want to be safe so I really appreciate your input.

in the mean time I can start tinkering with the stove I guess…. Try and get the door to close entirely? I can fix that plus the damper and door gasket. If they’re bad.

I wouldn't spend much time or money on that stove. They are not reliable stoves at all

 

[faultymechanics]

Unfortunately we don’t have the 6k to reline and get a new stove in there.

I’d really like to make what we have work, at least for a year. Then we can maybe reline this year and get a new stove next year?

 

[bholler]

Unfortunately we don’t have the 6k to reline and get a new stove in there.

I’d really like to make what we have work, at least for a year. Then we can maybe reline this year and get a new stove next year?

What size liner is it? If it is 6" relining now and getting a new stove later would be fine

 

[faultymechanics]

Is there a way for me to check with the insert still in place?

I had the sweep and inspection last January so it’s hard to remember for sure. Based on what I remember of the photos(from the inside of the liner) I would guess it was at least a 6” diameter liner.

 

[bholler]

Is there a way for me to check with the insert still in place?

I had the sweep and inspection last January so it’s hard to remember for sure. Based on what I remember of the photos(from the inside of the liner) I would guess it was at least a 6” diameter liner.

There were 2 different sizes of winter warms I believe one was 6 one was 8 but I could be wrong

 

[faultymechanics]

I know I have the larger WinterWarm under that puts out something like 75000btu.

I want to say it was model 1280

 

[faultymechanics]

What size liner is it? If it is 6" relining now and getting a new stove later would be fine

I know I have the larger WinterWarm under that puts out something like 75000btu.

I want to say it was model 1280

found the old manual in the house. Says it has a 8” flue.

I can confirm it is a 1280 model but it’s more like 10-30000btu…not sure where I saw 75k.

Additionally I did notice the bottom where you load the box is cracked and deformed…I’m guess this is no good?

 

[begreen]

The 1280 has a catalytic convertor. This is an essential component for complete combustion on this insert. What condition is the catalyst in?

 

[faultymechanics]

The 1280 has a catalytic convertor. This is an essential component for complete combustion on this insert. What condition is the catalyst in?

No idea what it looks like or where it is so I’ll refer to the manual and let you know!

 

[faultymechanics]

The 1280 has a catalytic convertor. This is an essential component for complete combustion on this insert. What condition is the catalyst in?

What should I be looking for condition-wise? Cracks, tons of ash, etc?

I just got a guide on how to check the "combustor" which I assume is the same thing as Catalytic Converter??

 

[EbS-P]

found the old manual in the house. Says it has a 8” flue

I personally would not reline an 8” stove. Just not enough 8” new options on the market

I just got a guide on how to check the "combustor" which I assume is the same thing as Catalytic Converter??

Yes.

Keep an eye out for used inserts. With the new tax credit their may be some around but my shopping for a stove this summer revealed a lot of junk and any thing decent in price and condition went fast.

 

[begreen]

A good place to start is with the manual. It can be downloaded here:

VERMONT CASTINGS WINTERWARM FIREPLACE INSERT OR SYSTEM INSTALLATION AND OPERATING MANUAL Pdf Download

View and Download Vermont Castings WinterWarm Fireplace Insert or System installation and operating manual online. Fireplace Insert or System. WinterWarm Fireplace Insert or System indoor fireplace pdf manual download. Also for: Winterwarm.

www.manualslib.com

 

[faultymechanics]

Got it apart although this thing definitely has had some tinkering done before. Throat plates held in with a retainer using an Allen bolt. The bolt is also stripped so it won’t thread out anymore…making the throat plates uneven….cat looks half there and half not.

I’ll attach the photos I attempted to take. I’m guessing this isn’t great?

 

[bholler]

Got it apart although this thing definitely has had some tinkering done before. Throat plates held in with a retainer using an Allen bolt. The bolt is also stripped so it won’t thread out anymore…making the throat plates uneven….cat looks half there and half not.

I’ll attach the photos I attempted to take. I’m guessing this isn’t great?

View attachment 281718View attachment 281719View attachment 281720

Yeah working on those usually involves drilling and tapping holes and generally atleast a few replacement parts

 

[faultymechanics]

Yeah working on those usually involves drilling and tapping holes and generally atleast a few replacement parts

Based on those photos of the cat, is it usable? I know I can find a replacement grate online but as you’ve said, it’s not worth going whole hog.

 

[bholler]

Based on those photos of the cat, is it usable? I know I can find a replacement grate online but as you’ve said, it’s not worth going whole hog.

I would say probably not any good. I wouldn't bother with the grate

 

[faultymechanics]

I would say probably not any good. I wouldn't bother with the grate

$332 bucks to replace....guess it's nice that I can just leave the grate....not sure if this is worth trying to replace...I don't even know how TO replace said item. Considering it was from the 90s maybe the manual shows the process.

 

[bholler]

$332 bucks to replace....guess it's nice that I can just leave the grate....not sure if this is worth trying to replace...I don't even know how TO replace said item. Considering it was from the 90s maybe the manual shows the process.

You just lift the grate out and drop a new one in I believe