T5 Alderlea Cleaning and Maintenance Questions

[durutti123]

So I am cleaning the two year old T5 for the first time (didn't have it its first year), and had a few questions after looking though previous threads on the topic. I removed the bricks, the baffle, and the side gaskets, and then thoroughly vacuumed the box. A few observations and questions.

1. Two of the bricks were broken in half. Should I be concerned enough to get replacements, or just continue to use them? I recall a thread that mentioned soapstone bricks. Did anyone ever give these a try, and if so, how did it turn out?

2. There was no gasket where the baffle sits. Not even a hint of one. I plan on trying the Hogwildz love braid, although I wish he would just start selling them to make my life easier. BTW, what size gasket rope do I use?

3. The two photos are of the side gaskets. One is in pretty good condition, but the other is showing some wear. Should I be concerned (ie is it affecting the performance of the stove). and if so is there a good aftemarket replacement, or should I get it from a PE dealer?

Thanks for any advice on this. This stove was a great buy, and hope to get many years of service out of it

 

[durutti123]

Here are pics of the inside.

 

[begreen]

I think Hog used 3/8" braided gasket for his baffle replacement gasket. Can you put the cracked brick on the floor of the fire box if both pieces fit nicely and use the floor brick on the side?

 

[madison]

3/8", if you could find anything smaller or flat gasket it would make getting the baffle pin back into the hole a bit easier. but 3/8" works fine.

 

[raybonz]

I think Hog used 3/8" braided gasket for his baffle replacement gasket. Can you put the cracked brick on the floor of the fire box if both pieces fit nicely and use the floor brick on the side?

+1 I was thinking the same thing.. If you have ashes there you could put a 1" thick layer on the bottom and I doubt the cracked brick would be a problem..


Ray

 

[durutti123]

Thanks for the replies. I wondered if I could use them on the floor, but didn't know if the cracks/breaks would compromise their effectiveness.

Any thoughts on the side gasket that is in worse shape? Should this be a concern? Thanks.

 

[begreen]

Looks like the side gasket pictures never got posted. Does it still pass the dollar bill test?

 

[durutti123]

Looks like the side gasket pictures never got posted. Does it still pass the dollar bill test?

The photos of the side gaskets appeared in the first post, with the worst one being on the left. I haven't tried the dollar bill test, but will do so after reassembly. If it fails, is there an acceptable subsitute, or will I have to get the gaskets from PE? Thanks!