St. Croix Prescott EXL 3rd Cleanout Opening- Need some dimensions

[pellet]

I have a St. Croix Prescott EXL manufactured in 2005. It does not have the 3rd clean out behind the ash pan like the ones made in 2007 and later and as shown in the graphic below. Would someone mind measuring the dimensions of the opening, location, and cover size for me? I'd really like to install one in my stove. It is a real pain to get to that ash trap with out the opening and plate there. Also is there a gasket or sealant used on the cover? I would really appreciate the help!

 

[heat seeker]

The opening would be helpful, but I don't have one on my stove, and the Leaf Blower Trick keeps it well cleaned out. I pull the exhaust blower once a year to check in there, but find little to clean out after doing the LBT. YMMV.

 

[bogieb]

I can tell you that there was no gasket or anything behind the plate on my Hastings. It was just a thin sheet of metal screwed into place to cover the opening. I would assume it is the same with the Prescott.

 

[pellet]

Yes, I am sure the LBT works but this new to me stove hopefully will be with me a long time and I would like to make life simpler over time. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the gasket info. I figured it was just a plate with 2 screws but thought I'd ask.

Anyone willing to take some measurements for me?

 

[pellet]

Yes, I am sure the LBT works but this new to me stove hopefully will be with me a long time and I would like to make life simpler over time. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the gasket info. I figured it was just a plate with 2 screws but thought I'd ask.

Anyone willing to take some measurements for me?

Maybe I should ask....I take it there are other pellet stoves out there that are nearly identical to the Prescott but sold under some other name or brand? What are they?

 

[bogieb]

Wish I still had the Hastings so I could at least give you an idea from its measurements. As I recall, the opening was no bigger than the two that were at the sides of the pellet chute. In fact, I think it was not so square, more rectangular, so either a bit longer (side to side) or a bit shorter than the other cleanouts.

 

[pellet]

Do you recall if it was centered side to side or offset to one side?

 

[bogieb]

It seems to me it was centered side to side, but not top to bottom - more like 1/3 down from top of drawer. My memory is fuzzy on that top to bottom thing though.

 

[bogieb]

Just found the third cleanout plate replacement part: (broken link removed to http://www.pellet-stove-parts-4less.com/product_p/80p30280-r.htm) Maybe you can chase down the part number (80P30280-R) to get some dimensions. Heck, just order one ($9), then make the hole a bit smaller.

 

[bogieb]

Hey, just found a picture for th eElement (uses the same PN for the covers) that actually shows all 3 ash cleanout plates: (broken link removed to http://stcroixstoves.com/pdf/Element-MF-Insert-Installation-Operation-812.pdf) Page 57 it is #17. At least gives you an idea of the difference from the other two.

 

[pellet]

I see how the two sizes compare. If I just had the location of the plate under there. Can't tell from the pics I have seen if it is centered or to one side....or if it matters. Is it only to clean out the trap at the bottom (area #6 in the diagram below) and does that trap go all the way across the bottom of the stove? It appears to, but not sure if something might be welded inside. Or is its purpose to get, from below, better access to the area above (5 & 6 in the diagram below) where the other two covers are with a snake or bursh? If that is the idea, it probably is offset to one side somewhat to avoid the round air opening the Versa-grate shaft goes through. Thanks for the info and the links. They clarified the relative size of the lower clean out.

 

[bogieb]

I see how the two sizes compare. If I just had the location of the plate under there. Can't tell from the pics I have seen if it is centered or to one side....or if it matters. Is it only to clean out the trap at the bottom (area #6 in the diagram below) and does that trap go all the way across the bottom of the stove? It appears to, but not sure if something might be welded inside. Or is its purpose to get, from below, better access to the area above (5 & 6 in the diagram below) where the other two covers are with a snake or bursh? If that is the idea, it probably is offset to one side somewhat to avoid the round air opening the Versa-grate shaft goes through. Thanks for the info and the links. They clarified the relative size of the lower clean out.

View attachment 162478

The only purpose is to help clean out the fly ash. I think I see your confusion (maybe not, but hopefully I do) - The 3rd clean out is behind the ash pan, not in the burn chamber. I was literally laying on the floor to remove the cover and clean that area out. It shouldn't meet the hole for the versa shaft at all. I'm 99% sure that it is centered side to side, and according to that diagram it should be in the upper quadrant to intersect that chamber where #6 is. I'll see if I can doctor up the diagram.

 

[bogieb]

Instead of doctoring the photo, since it either looks a little different than my Hastings, Or I am misremembering how deep the ash drawer reaches (or the diagram is off, or I am mis-reading it), I have messaged TimfromMA asking him to join this discussion. He has a Hastings so perhaps he can take a picture for you.

 

[pellet]

Bogieb,
Thanks for the help...and comments I understand that the 3rd clean out is supposed to be in back of the ash pan and underneath the burn area.

My stove is a Prescott EXL (the diagram above appears to be an EXP...."P" for pedestal instead of EXL, the " L" for leg version). Looking from the front of the stove, with the ash pan removed (on my EXL) and in back of where the ash pan goes there is a vertical metal plate welded to the bottom of the stove which comes straight down about 2 3/8" and is 14 1/2" wide side to side and centered under the stove (the overall width of the stove excluding the large swing open sheet metal access doors on either side outside is about 22", so it roughly lacks 4" from either side being the full width). At the bottom of the 2 3/8" vertical part there is about a 45 degree bend/brake in the plate toward the back of the stove (for about 4 1/2") and intersects the bottom belly of the stove (the room air blower is housed in the far back of this belly housing at the rear of the stove). Taking a look at the diagram in the original post might help.

Another way of looking at it would be, looking at the second diagram in post #11, area #6 (side view of the stove this time), the front or left hand vertical wall would be the 2 3/8" (I assume) vertical metal plate I mentioned above. Instead of turning 90 degrees toward the back of the stove as shown in this diagram at the bottom, it only turns about 45 degrees and goes all the way to the bottom of the belly pan. Note the belly pan is not as deep (top to bottom) as the pedestal of the EXP pedestal version. The belly pan is about 5 5/8" deep top to bottom and there is about 3" clearance underneath the belly pan to the hearth surface the stove sets on. Again, taking a look at the diagram in the original post might help.

I am assuming (hoping) the clean-out plate goes in the 2 3/8" vertical plate and is centered in the stove side to side. I suppose they could have modified some of the dimensions on the stove later to accommodate the clean out.

I know this got long winded but if you got this far and followed it you may see how I question the pics in the factory manual. I have searched extensively and don't seem to be able to get any other images of the area either. Again, thanks LOADS for your comments, time, and input! I look forward to hearing from TimfromMA too!

Pellet

 

[bogieb]

Yeah, I follow you. The only thing I can say is your first picture could be directly out of the Hastings manual (yeah, they don't show the location of the plate very well), except for that 45 degree bend / break plate - instead the Hastings plate stays at the virticle until it gets to the bottom.

I am assuming (hoping) the clean-out plate goes in the 2 3/8" vertical plate and is centered in the stove side to side. I suppose they could have modified some of the dimensions on the stove later to accommodate the clean out.

Pellet

That would be my assumption too. That is the only thing that makes sense to me as that bend would be where fly ash would settle out of the air stream, and is the same area as in the Hastings. Wish I knew of a member that has a Prescott so I could steer you towards a more authoritive opinion so we weren't just guessing together

 

[pellet]

Your are right, that pic did come right out of they're manual. I think if I could even find an EXP and that vertical plate were 2 3/8" too it would say a lot. Just speculating but I suspect the opening is about 2" with a 2 3/8" cover top to bottom. Width would be a guess though. Since the cover plate is the same for several efferent models indicated in the links you provided in posts #9 & 10 it might be reasonable to conclude the opening would be the same for all, so any of them would provide the information if someone would measure it.

Another question would be if the inside of the ash trap follows the 45 degree part down inside or is boxed inside like the EXP diagram shows. Maybe someone will post that has one and would be willing to share knowledge. Hope so.

Pellet

 

[bogieb]

Another question would be if the inside of the ash trap follows the 45 degree part down inside or is boxed inside like the EXP diagram shows. Maybe someone will post that has one and would be willing to share knowledge. Hope so.

Pellet

Ah, that I do not know Grasshopper, so sorry.

 

[TimfromMA]

Instead of doctoring the photo, since it either looks a little different than my Hastings, Or I am misremembering how deep the ash drawer reaches (or the diagram is off, or I am mis-reading it), I have messaged TimfromMA asking him to join this discussion. He has a Hastings so perhaps he can take a picture for you.

I do not believe my stove has the cleanout behind the ash pan either but I am uncertain. If it is there, I've never accessed it. I'll check when I get home and report back sometime tonight.

 

[pellet]

Hi Tim,
Thanks for joining this conversation and I'd appreciate anything you can add. It is my understanding the lower, 3rd clean out behind the ash pan was added in 2007. Not sure when yours was made but If you can provide any dimensions described in the original post it would be helpful. I probably can use the Hastings dimensions to make the clean out work on my Prescott EXL.
Pellet

 

[TimfromMA]

We had a "situation" here last night so I was unable to check it out. Personally, I would be very hesitant to modify my stove in this manner. If it doesn't already have a clean out behind the ash pan, it probably does not need one. Cutting your own may risk disrupting the airflow thus altering your stove's performance. Just something to think about.

 

[pellet]

Yes, I've considered that but there seems to be no difference in the stoves before and after other than the opening and cover plate. The problem is that area fills with fly ash and eventually blocks air flow enough to become a problem with combustion, which I see as the bigger risk. The manufacturer recognized that and installed the access along with instructions that it be cleaned regularly. If I can get the location and dimensions, I want to put it in so it can be easily accessed and so will more probably get done. If I see it is going to be a problem I can always weld it back up. If you have the time and inclination I could sure use the dimensions and location of the opening. Hope your "situation" was resolved ok.
Thanks,
Pellet

 

[TimfromMA]

Apparently, I do have a cleanout behind the ashpan.

 

[pellet]

Thanks for the pic Wonder what has accumulated behind the cover? While you're in there I could sure use some measurements....like the distance from each side to the opening, the width and height of the opening, and the distance from the top of the opening to the flat surface of that horizontal plate just above it. The width, length, and thickness of the cover would be good to know too. I'll bet I have a lot of fly ash inside there on mine. Not having the clean out at all, it probably has never been cleaned. I would sure appreciate the information if you would. The cover looks centered but I can't see the right side real well so not sure. What year was your stove built? Mine has a date on the information plate on the back.

 

[TimfromMA]

I have my stove professionally cleaned at the end of each burn season. They completely tear it down, clean every nook and cranny then reassemble. Since I never clean it myself it would be interesting to see just how much ash builds up back there over the course of the winter.

 

[bogieb]

Thanks for the pic Wonder what has accumulated behind the cover? While you're in there I could sure use some measurements....like the distance from each side to the opening, the width and height of the opening, and the distance from the top of the opening to the flat surface of that horizontal plate just above it. The width, length, and thickness of the cover would be good to know too. I'll bet I have a lot of fly ash inside there on mine. Not having the clean out at all, it probably has never been cleaned. I would sure appreciate the information if you would. The cover looks centered but I can't see the right side real well so not sure. What year was your stove built? Mine has a date on the information plate on the back.

Yeah, that sucker is centered, you can see detail at the top of the picture for where the ash cleanout rod housing is.