Serenity saga

[rich2500]

I have had the stove for 3 yrs. and it has been awesome until recently it started making metal expanding and contracting sound at all times as you can hear in this video

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

so last weekend I start digging into the stove to find that the steel plate that is plug welded to the back wall of the stove had the 2 lower plug welds popped loose and the plate had a gap.so I drilled holes through the plate and put bolts in which pulled the plate against the back wall of the stove again.I thought that was definately the cause of the sound so I ran the stove that night and it seemed much better.The following night I fire the stove again it seems good I get up in the morning and the sound is back like you hear in the video.The following night I start the stove and go about my thing and 10 mins. later the wife is yelling there is something wrong with the pellet stove it just made a loud bang at it's full of smoke I come to check it out to find the firebox full of smoke from an ignition explosion I get that mess cleaned up and the wife did not wan't me to fire the stove up again but I did anyway and it relit and burned all night just fine. I put a call in to Ardisam and they asked for pics and the video which I sent to them but have not heard anything yet. watching craigslist like I always do I see a dealer offering the Ravelli Francesca for 1750 I thought thats a damm good price and at just the right time so I buy a white Francesca (see other post Ravelli Francesca ) at this point I don't even know what to do with the Serenity because I will not sell it to anyone the way it is, maybe sell it as a parts only stove. This all really sucks because I really liked the serenity but the wife no longer trusted the stove so it was time to go.

 

[Deezl Smoke]

Thanks for the video and detailed description. My south stove makes a loud bang once in a while when initially heating up from expanding metal. It is a factory design flaw of jig building to weld properly. But given where it's made, it is understandable. I shall watch the places you mention to make sure the welds do not fail. If they do, I will weld them back up. It is the warpage of welding the box at the factory that causes each stove to have a slightly different characteristic. An analogy I would refer to is like a plastic water bottle. If you pull it out of the cooler and drink the water, then put the cap back on the cold bottle with a few crinkle dents in it and leave it in the warmer area you are in, it will pop and crack as the air inside expands and pushes those little dents back out.

The expansion noises in your video are mostly the same. It is a inconsistantly welded up fire box. Since you bought a replacement, it would be fun to take the old serenity and run a few weld beads near the area where the pulled plug welds popped and run it outside for a few cycles to see if it cured it. Just for the knowledge of it more than to repair a broken stove. If it fixes it, you might use it in a garage or something or give it to a friend that wont use it in a house. Otherwise, I think you are right to sell it as a parts rig. May have to purposely damage it in some way structurally to make sure it does not get used in a house, but someone would like to have the parts. If I were driving distance, I'd buy it for parts.

 

[rich2500]

I'm curious to see if I ever hear from Ardisam,they got the pics and video,If they really want to make a good product this is a stove they should want back to disect and find what they can do to prevent it.If I never hear from them which is what I'm expecting I will probably just strip the stove of parts and then scrap the shell.

 

[sparklow]

I will be watching this thread with interest. Of course my stove being in its first season is fine so far. I do like the stove so I hope the support from Ardisam is what it should be.

 

[Marina1327]

I will have to listen to my stove but I think it only makes that noise when its heating up from being off and cold.

 

[alternativeheat]

The good news is if the worst thing happens, the weld pops. You can probably get it welded up.

 

[rich2500]

Just got an email from Ardisam they wanna swap the stove out for a new stove so they can try figure the problem with mine.2 yrs.out of warranty that is excellent customer service.

 

[Bioburner]

Serenity, NOT. Lean mean noise making machine Glad to hear that its being supported

 

[sparklow]

As sorry as I am to have heard that you have had trouble with your Serenity, I am very pleased with Ardisam's quick response to your issue. I know that you will keep us posted.

 

[alternativeheat]

Just got an email from Ardisam they wanna swap the stove out for a new stove so they can try figure the problem with mine.2 yrs.out of warranty that is excellent customer service.

Yes, I agree, good service.

 

[Jake86]

No other stove company would have done the right thing like that. I have read many of your past posts and knew how much you loved your serenity. I was devastated when I read your stove went belly up. Glad things worked out for you.

 

[rich2500]

They are even shipping the new stove too my place of employment to do the swap so I don't have to miss work for the delivery.I have always said how good Ardisam customer service was and this truly shows it.

 

[Deezl Smoke]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. So glad to hear it and thank you for updating the contact and efforts.

 

[gfreek]

Wow, what service. I'll remember this if/when i shop for another stove..

 

[alternativeheat]

Wow, what service. I'll remember this if/when i shop for another stove..

Now I have to admit that if I'm going to buy a Chinese stove that pops it's welds /cracks, I would like it to be from a company with good service. On the other hand, plain and simple common sense really leads to believe I'd rather avoid the whole scene and look for something else in the first place. For the time being what I would be doing is watching for more incidents like this.

 

[rich2500]

I agree alternative about avoiding a possible problem if you can but I honestly don't foresee this being a widespread issue, I posted the info for others to keep an eye on their stoves, believe me I"m a auto body tech over 25yrs.and have welded a many of plug welds and once in a while you get a bad weld which I think is the case here as far as the popped weld issue, The noise issue is what I'm more curious about because its still there after reattaching the plate. I still think that for a $1000.00 dollar new stove the Serenity is the best stove out there.Even after Ardisam gets my stove back I'm gonna keep in touch to see what they find with the stove and I will keep everyone here posted on any info I get.

 

[alternativeheat]

I agree alternative about avoiding a possible problem if you can but I honestly don't foresee this being a widespread issue, I posted the info for others to keep an eye on their stoves, believe me I"m a auto body tech over 25yrs.and have welded a many of plug welds and once in a while you get a bad weld which I think is the case here as far as the popped weld issue, The noise issue is what I'm more curious about.I still think that for a $1000.00 dollar new stove the Serenity is the best stove out there.Even after Ardisam gets my stove back I'm gonna keep in touch to see what they find with the stove and I will keep everyone here posted on any info I get.

 

[gfreek]

What gets me thinking is that you an call and talk directly to the company, while other companies you have a hard time contacting them. Or you have to shame them on social media to get their attention..Replacing a 3 year old stove that I assume only had a 1 year warranty... rich2500 did you get that stove directly from Ardisam or a dealer/store.??

 

[rich2500]

I bought the stove from a dealer 2 hrs.away. And yes the warranty is 1 yr.

 

[GT_Sharp]

Thanks very much, Rich, for posting about this.

 

[rich2500]

I gave Ardisam the info they requested to swap out the stove on wed. and have not heard anything since, I'm getting the feeling someone may have jumped the gun as far as replacing the stove.

 

[Deezl Smoke]

I gave Ardisam the info they requested to swap out the stove on wed. and have not heard anything since, I'm getting the feeling someone may have jumped the gun as far as replacing the stove.

Let's hope not. But it is only saturday. I would imagine it can take a week to get things lined up as any stocking warehouse likely already owns the stoves they have, so proper paper work will have to clear before they will release one as warranty to be paid by the company they bought it from. But I look forward to reading your updates. Thanks.

 

[rich2500]

dropped another just touching base e-mail to Ardisam and no reply,

 

[bags]

That sucks! Glad you shared the info though. Keep us posted and I'd be a squeaky wheel not letting them forget. Maybe some other welds broke and the popping is coming from another area?

 

[rich2500]

Finally got an email back saying they are still replacing the stove that the supervisor is setting up the delivery should receive an email with the confirmation.