Is this Dutchwest safe?

[Cucumber]

A few years ago I bought a house with a Dutchwest Convection Heater - model 2461.
I have used the stove about 20 times over the past few years with no issues, but this year has been colder than usual and my wife has started complaining about the “smokey smell”. So I finally downloaded the owners manual to learn about the stove - better late than never.

My stove is from the mid 90s and I don’t believe it has received much if any maintenance over it’s life. Based on my limited understanding, the catalyst combuster and the gaskets should be replaced, but I’m hoping it is okay to use the stove until I get replacement parts. See pics.

I’m thinking my 1 year seasoned oak and perhaps the old worn out gaskets are the main reasons for the smoke smell, and probably my inexperienced burning (i.e, over dampening tendencies) as well. My question to the forum is this, based on the pictures I’ve provided, are there any reason to believe it is unsafe to have a fire in this stove? Thanks for any help.

 

[Woodwringer]

Assuming there is adequate clearance to combustibles at the stove, I don't see any major problems. The door looks strange. Does the gasket go back against the channel in the door when it is closed? There should not be any separation there. The cast iron grill being clogged with fly ash may be a cause of the smoking. The catalytic combustor appears to be in reasonable condition. As long as the castings appear to be free of cracks and warping, it should be safe for use.

 

[begreen]

Agreed. Looks like it needs some attention, but so far nothing horrible shows. The gasket should be replaced. The round baffle needs cleaning. Unsure about the combustor's life, but it looks pretty good.

 

[coaly]

I'm no CAT expert, but aren't your flue gasses about room temperature by the time they get to the chimney?

How many chimney sections from the support box to the top??
Is that stove capable of putting that much heat up that pipe to create enough draft to prevent smoke roll in when opening door?

 

[begreen]

Good point. Cat stove flue temps vary but they are often over 300F. It's strongly recommended to use double-wall stove pipe for any run over 8ft and doubly recommended for cat stoves due to lower flue temps.

 

[coaly]

I think that's 20 feet of condenser, I mean connector pipe.

 

[Cucumber]

Thanks for your comments.

IHow many chimney sections from the support box to the top??
Is that stove capable of putting that much heat up that pipe to create enough draft to prevent smoke roll in when opening door?

It’s 5 sections of pipe. I have no idea how hot the pipe gets at the top but it’s too hot to touch as high as I can reach. As long as the flue is open, smoke does not roll out when I open the door. But smoke does occasionally leak out from the side door around the worn gasket and the inlet shutters.

Good point. Cat stove flue temps vary but they are often over 300F. It's strongly recommended to use double-wall stove pipe for any run over 8ft and doubly recommended for cat stoves.

I found a small section of extra pipe in the closet - see pics. Is this considered double-walled?

And how difficult is it to replace the gasket?

 

[webby3650]

Good point. Cat stove flue temps vary but they are often over 300F. It's strongly recommended to use double-wall stove pipe for any run over 8ft and doubly recommended for cat stoves due to lower flue temps.

That’s double wall. It’s dura-vent DVL

 

[webby3650]

I’d put some gasket cement in the channel and press the gasket into it, assuming the gasket is in ok shape.

Take a wire brush to the baffle, it’s still serviceable. You’ve got a decent stove, it has years of life left in it.

 

[webby3650]

The 1 season old oak is going to be a large part of the smoke problem. Is the glass staying pretty dirty too?

 

[Cucumber]

Yes, the glass is getting pretty dirty. I have a feeling the stove wants more seasoned wood.

 

[webby3650]

Yes, the glass is getting pretty dirty. I have a feeling the stove wants more seasoned wood.

Yes
Is the little dial on the upper left side open a little? About 1 and half turns if I remember correctly.

 

[webby3650]

The door latches are also adjustable, it takes a 7/16 wrench and a #2 Philips. After some time they can be tightened to compensate for compressed gaskets.

 

[Cucumber]

Yes
Is the little dial on the upper left side open a little? About 1 and half turns if I remember correctly.

Yes, I have the side dial open 1.5 turns.

The door latches are also adjustable, it takes a 7/16 wrench and a #2 Philips. After some time they can be tightened to compensate for compressed gaskets.

I’ve considered this but wasn’t sure if I should try to replace the side door gasket instead since it seems rather worn / compressed. I will try it before replacing the gasket.

 

[webby3650]

Yes, I have the side dial open 1.5 turns.



I’ve considered this but wasn’t sure if I should try to replace the side door gasket instead since it seems rather worn / compressed. I will try it before replacing the gasket.

It’s simple to replace, if it’s compressed I’d change it.