Hello all,
The short version of my post is the following question: Is silicone sealant required when installing the ember bed and manifold on a Vermont Castings Radiance gas stove?
The longer version of the story follows.
My wife and I recently purchased a house that came with a Vermont Castings Radiance gas stove configured for LPG.
Unfortunately, it had a very slow propane leak when operating. Some investigation ultimately revealed a cracked flare flange on the manifold assembly, as well as a multiple cracks in the ember bed.
I've disassembled the unit enough to remove the damaged parts and clean things up. I've purchased replacements and intend to reassemble it myself.
The nature of the damage to both parts suggests to me that the stove was manhandled a bit at some point and perhaps some effort at an imperfect field repair.
In particular, there's evidence of very liberal use of red high temp silicone around the manifold as well as the attachment points for the ember bed. On the ember bed attachment points, there's also some evidence that this was supplemented with clear conventional silicone. There's no mention of sealant in these areas in the install manual, but I'm unsure if either part arrives already installed.
Before I re-seal it when putting things back together I thought I'd check here to see if this is required, advisable or was, perhaps, part of a misguided attempt to fix damage or address a gas smell.
I'll attach a few photos of the sealant that remained after I removed the ember bed, as well as the gobs of sealant around the manifold assembly where it penetrates into the main body of the stove as well as the damage to the manifold flare/flange.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Ian
The short version of my post is the following question: Is silicone sealant required when installing the ember bed and manifold on a Vermont Castings Radiance gas stove?
The longer version of the story follows.
My wife and I recently purchased a house that came with a Vermont Castings Radiance gas stove configured for LPG.
Unfortunately, it had a very slow propane leak when operating. Some investigation ultimately revealed a cracked flare flange on the manifold assembly, as well as a multiple cracks in the ember bed.
I've disassembled the unit enough to remove the damaged parts and clean things up. I've purchased replacements and intend to reassemble it myself.
The nature of the damage to both parts suggests to me that the stove was manhandled a bit at some point and perhaps some effort at an imperfect field repair.
In particular, there's evidence of very liberal use of red high temp silicone around the manifold as well as the attachment points for the ember bed. On the ember bed attachment points, there's also some evidence that this was supplemented with clear conventional silicone. There's no mention of sealant in these areas in the install manual, but I'm unsure if either part arrives already installed.
Before I re-seal it when putting things back together I thought I'd check here to see if this is required, advisable or was, perhaps, part of a misguided attempt to fix damage or address a gas smell.
I'll attach a few photos of the sealant that remained after I removed the ember bed, as well as the gobs of sealant around the manifold assembly where it penetrates into the main body of the stove as well as the damage to the manifold flare/flange.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Ian
