Been reading the forum for a long time but never posted. Anyways, I just got a LOPI AGP insert. So far I like it. I had a lopi pioneer bay insert before and this is definitely a step up. I thought I post some comments and few questions.
1. I can't believe how clean the glass stays. After several bags of burning, barely a spot on the glass.
2. The fire is very consistent. The flame doesn't vary much, like going really big then low like my old insert did.
3. I notice after running for several hours, it appears the ash doesn't get pushed out burn platform on the sides as well as the middle. The ash in the middle pushed out easily as expected with auger right in the center, but the burn platform loses an inch or so on both sides with a lot of ash there. It does push off the sides but not as readily as the center. I guess with a higher burn rate more pellets would push it easier as opposed to the medium heat that I typically run. So every day I have to brush the ash off. No big deal and I'm not sure if it would even be an issue if I didn't, but I notice this every time. You can actually see the flame width get slightly smaller due to the ash on the side.
So here is my big question. Is there any trick to reinstalling the top liner????? I know it says you shouldn't have to do this till after a ton or so, but I figured let me remove all the liners and do a good clean to see how much ash gets behind the liners. After several bags it wasn't much at all. The problem was reinstalling the top liner. The back and two sides are no problem, but it must have taken me 30+ minutes to get the top liner reinstalled. I assume to do everything in reverse, but I had to really push the side liners hard against the stove to line up the side slots. YOu have to angle the top liner just right to get it to snap into the back liner as well. It isn't a very loose fit either. I did a good number putting some scratches on the liners. Not that it really matters, but I couldn't believe how difficult it was to get back on. Has anyone else had this issue? Am I doing something wrong? I tried installing one side with the other side liner out and then try to add the other side liner, but no luck. I notice on the video they give you they don't show reinstalling the liners.
1. I can't believe how clean the glass stays. After several bags of burning, barely a spot on the glass.
2. The fire is very consistent. The flame doesn't vary much, like going really big then low like my old insert did.
3. I notice after running for several hours, it appears the ash doesn't get pushed out burn platform on the sides as well as the middle. The ash in the middle pushed out easily as expected with auger right in the center, but the burn platform loses an inch or so on both sides with a lot of ash there. It does push off the sides but not as readily as the center. I guess with a higher burn rate more pellets would push it easier as opposed to the medium heat that I typically run. So every day I have to brush the ash off. No big deal and I'm not sure if it would even be an issue if I didn't, but I notice this every time. You can actually see the flame width get slightly smaller due to the ash on the side.
So here is my big question. Is there any trick to reinstalling the top liner????? I know it says you shouldn't have to do this till after a ton or so, but I figured let me remove all the liners and do a good clean to see how much ash gets behind the liners. After several bags it wasn't much at all. The problem was reinstalling the top liner. The back and two sides are no problem, but it must have taken me 30+ minutes to get the top liner reinstalled. I assume to do everything in reverse, but I had to really push the side liners hard against the stove to line up the side slots. YOu have to angle the top liner just right to get it to snap into the back liner as well. It isn't a very loose fit either. I did a good number putting some scratches on the liners. Not that it really matters, but I couldn't believe how difficult it was to get back on. Has anyone else had this issue? Am I doing something wrong? I tried installing one side with the other side liner out and then try to add the other side liner, but no luck. I notice on the video they give you they don't show reinstalling the liners.
Glad to hear that the new insert is a big improvement. Can't help you with the big question as I have a free-standing with majolica sides. They can be a test of patience too.
