Two tiny holes in corner of insert? Possible weld burn though?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

MRD1985

Minister of Fire
Nov 19, 2023
1,112
02888
Was poking my head inside the stove today to make sure it looked good prior to burn season, and saw these two tiny holes in the upper LH front cover of the stove. Possible weld burn though? Panel feels solid, not rust. It’s a thick plate of steel. No holes on the other side. Thoughts? What problems would arise from this? I sent Drolet an email with photos asking them also, but curious to see what you guys think here. Stove has only been used for 1.5 winters. Was installed of January of 2024. I have no idea if those holes were there or not when I bought it. Never thought to really look there. Shined a flashlight on the outside and stuck my head in, saw no light protruding into the stove.

Edit: looked closer and saw what could be at least 1 possibly 2 small matching holes on the other side, but may be clogged with ash/soot/debris. Added photo of other side
 

Attachments

  • [Hearth.com] Two tiny holes in corner of insert?  Possible weld burn though?
    IMG_5605.webp
    121.4 KB · Views: 26
  • [Hearth.com] Two tiny holes in corner of insert?  Possible weld burn though?
    IMG_5606.webp
    92.4 KB · Views: 26
  • [Hearth.com] Two tiny holes in corner of insert?  Possible weld burn though?
    IMG_5610.webp
    90.6 KB · Views: 25
Last edited:
*not a professional stove builder opinion*
It does not look like weld burn through.
It does look like a locating notch for assembly, a point that can be referenced while manufacturing, or a random notch left by a CNC cutting program when cutting out parts.
I do use a CNC plasma cutting table daily at work, some of our parts will have a notch that's similar looking. Sometimes it is part of the "lead in" or "pierce" for the torch, sometimes it is a reference mark for fabricating, and sometimes it is just a mark left in the programming that hasn't been modified out. It could even be a reference to the welder as to where to start their weld.
If you can't see light through it, I'd forget that it's there!
 
Drolet said as long as I can’t see light from the outside in they see no issue, I asked what caused it they simply said “laser cut”

My concern was smoke getting not the void behind that plate, it seems there would be? I don’t see any holes in the welds along the outside in that area, nor any light passing through from the outside to inside
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: GG Woody
Plug them with some ash and forget you saw them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MRD1985
If you have sufficient draft and your wood is dry, your stove will be negative pressure inside. It pulls air in through all holes as the chimney sucks the combustion byproducts out the top.

The holes have been there since manufacture, have you had an issue in the past?
 
If you have sufficient draft and your wood is dry, your stove will be negative pressure inside. It pulls air in through all holes as the chimney sucks the combustion byproducts out the top.

The holes have been there since manufacture, have you had an issue in the past?
None this far. Draft is very good. No issues there.