That doesn't belong in my stove!

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kversch

kversch

Member
Dec 26, 2014
153
New York
the weathers been fairly warm around here this past week so I has let the stove go out. Well tonight I figured I would light her back up, wen I went down in the basement the door glass was covered with ash in a strange patter. When I got close to the stove I could see a ball of fur curled up front near the dog house. Some how during the week a squirrel managed to get in the chimmney and in to the stove past the bypass damper.

Now I'm an animal lover but this little $&@&&$ guy chews the door gasket trying to get out of the stove!! It's still there in contact but chewed pretty good. Do you guys think it's ok for now till I can get a new gasket and replace it?
[Hearth.com] That doesn't belong in my stove! [Hearth.com] That doesn't belong in my stove! [Hearth.com] That doesn't belong in my stove!
 
That does look like enough to leak a bit of air in that corner. I would try it out with a partial load and see how it goes.
 
Hmm. You would think the cat would have scared him off.

That does look like it would hopelessly leak.
 
I would definitely not start with a whole load to try it.......LOL I would think that will leak somewhat.
 
I would just try a small fire like the others have said. What is the earliest you can get it replaced, and do you have a chimney cap? Need some way to keep the critters out of the chimney and stove.
 
What became of the squirrel?
 
heavy hammer said:
I would just try a small fire like the others have said. What is the earliest you can get it replaced, and do you have a chimney cap? Need some way to keep the critters out of the chimney and stove.
Click to expand...

We do have a chimney cap that's what baffled me as to him getting in there. Just need to get a gasket then I can change it.

Simonkenton said:
What became of the squirrel?
Click to expand...
He was actually curled up dead in the stove when I found him. I'm guessing suffocation?


I did a partial burn. The other night and it seems ok. Maybe burned a little faster then normal. I think I'm just going to replace it for the ease of mind. Do I need to go right to my dealer and get a lopi specific gasket Or can I order this 7/8 gasket off amazon or pick it up at my local hardwear store. http://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Grapho-Glas-Woodstove-Gasket-Rope/dp/B009ECRCUG
 
kversch said:
He was actually curled up dead in the stove when I found him. I'm guessing suffocation?
Click to expand...

If it was dead (it may only have been in torpor). But if it was dead, then death was probably due to either starvation or hypothermia. Squirrels have a high metabolic rate. If not in torpor they need to eat and stay warm to survive, and being unable to do those, even over a few days, may mean curtains. And there were probably neither food nor warmth options in the ash in your stove (and chewing on and probably ingesting fiberglass probably did not help). RIP.
 
kversch said:
We do have a chimney cap that's what baffled me as to him getting in there. Just need to get a gasket then I can change it.


He was actually curled up dead in the stove when I found him. I'm guessing suffocation?


I did a partial burn. The other night and it seems ok. Maybe burned a little faster then normal. I think I'm just going to replace it for the ease of mind. Do I need to go right to my dealer and get a lopi specific gasket Or can I order this 7/8 gasket off amazon or pick it up at my local hardwear store. http://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Grapho-Glas-Woodstove-Gasket-Rope/dp/B009ECRCUG
Click to expand...
Lopi has their own specific gasket. I've used others in a pinch. If you have a dealer nearby I'd get Lopi gasket.
 
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Went to the dealer Tuesday after work and picked up some gasket. Got it all replaced no problems. Definitely was a good call there was only one layer of gasket left where he had chewed. Way worse then I had thought when I looked at it.
 
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kversch said:
Went to the dealer Tuesday after work and picked up some gasket. Got it all replaced no problems. Definitely was a good call there was only one layer of gasket left where he had chewed. Way worse then I had thought when I looked at it.
Click to expand...
Did you get the OEM gasket or what ever the dealer had on the role. I replaced mine with the stuff my dealer had on the role and don't like it as well as what came with the stove. Next time I'm going to get her to order the OEM from Lopi
 
That looks like the stuff she gave me only the stud she gave me is more black then the stuff in the picture. Seems to have a nice tight fit.
 
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