Thank you so much. It almost acts like it isn't supposed to be used. Do all papa bears have 2 but only one is actually used?Prevent the bolt from turning with socket or wrench on the outside and tighten nut on inside of door. (if nut is not welded to threads)
Spray penetrant of choice (PB Blaster, Aerokroil ect....) behind draft cap on threads. (called intake air damper - vent usually means exhaust) Open door and you can see the back of draft cap through intake opening. Also spray on outside under bolt head to let it soak from both sides.
During winter, you can remove door and take it outside to chill door and steel bolt. Keep bolt cold and try a hair dryer or heat gun to heat cap only to expand threads in cap. I don't know if this cap has a steel insert or if it is a threaded aluminum cap. (all caps are aluminum, some have a steel nut insert to prevent thread wear) No torch ! You can also try with door at room temperature; pour boiling water over draft cap only. This normally expands cap and threads and turns using a rag to prevent burning your hand. If this fails remove draft cap and bolt from door. (Heat and penetrant usually works)
Another really good cheaply made penetrating oil is ATF and Acetone mixed.
To remove; If the inside nut on inside of door is not welded to prevent movement, you can loosen the inner nut by holding the outer bolt head and cap from turning with wrenches. After inner nut is removed, rotate bolt and cap to unscrew from door. Remove outer nut behind cap (this may be a half nut) and continue to soak both sides of draft cap. If it refuses to loosen after soaking 24 hours, place nut on end of bolt to protect end of threads and support cap on wood block. Tap bolt with hammer and this normally loosens any threaded bolt as you would a lug bolt on a vehicle.
When installing draft cap, position bolt through door so bolt head protrudes a little out of the cap with draft cap closed. This allows use of wrench on bolt head to remove at later date.
KEEP THREADS LUBRICATED WITH HIGH TEMP GREASE OR SILVER ANTI-SEIZE as well as door hinge pins. You can lube through hole in door behind cap as necessary with a brush in cap type anti-seize. It is also for higher temperature than grease.This prevents wear of bolt and cap threads as well as preventing stuck caps.
I got the vent apart but broke off the bolt. Is there a break down on how it all goes back together with a new bolt?It will also burn down to ash in the front more evenly. Then you remove the ash from front in the morning, and rake coals along with charcoal in the back with a little ash ahead. Building your next fire on the glowing coals should light right up. This way you never have to leave it cool to remove ash.
Always keep about an inch of ash on the bottom.
Mama and Papa use the same double intake door. Only Goldilocks has two draft caps where only the left turns to adjust air that uses the bolt to turn in the door and makes contact with a flap across front. That stove gets air through pedestal from under mobile home. It is the only model with a fake knob on the right door.
When I took it apart there was a very thin nut and a normal sized nut on the bolt that is on the outside. Was this just part of the other nut?
A new 1/2 inch bolt and 3 nuts and my air control knob is going great. I love this forum. Thanks guysThere is a nut shaped recess in the knob where I'm assuming the inside nut seats in. It looks simple but so well engineered. I really appreciate your info.
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