Yikes... 1035F on outside of stove!

[Ashful]

Well, it's been quite some time since I've sat up babysitting one of these stoves, but tonight I will.

I did my usual walk-by the stove to check the cat probe thermometer, on my way up to bed, and the meter just reads "OL". Uh oh... I stick my head in the fireplace to look at the back of the stove where the probe exits, and I see the rear sides of the stove are glowing... and not just faintly. IR gun shows them at 1035F... on the outside!

I'm running a pretty full load of medium and large oak splits, and because I had two odd lumpy pieces in the lot, they're not stacked tight. But that has never been a problem for this stove in the past, it has great control under all normal conditions.

The hot spots are the sides of the stove, adjacent to the refractory cat chamber, which sits behind the firebox. I suspect the 20 year old refractory is just coming apart, or I have more than the desirable amount of air getting in thru some failing seam.

I will let it run its course tonight (won't go to bed until it stops glowing), but will not load it in the AM. I'll fire up the other Jotul tomorrow after work, so I can get some comparative measurements on that one, and plan to tear this one apart on Saturday. If it needs any major repair, I might be wheeling the white one (spare) into position, or taking measurements for a BK Ashford.

 

[Ashful]

Just recording this so I don't forget later. Temp on outside of single wall, 14" above stove collar, is almost 450F. That's noticeably hotter than my pipe usually runs, on this stove.

Would appreciate any ideas on what might cause the sides of the stove (and presumably the cat combuster) to run that hot. Cat has at least 2 cords on it, so not new enough to be so over-reactive. Stovetop is holding a tame 480F, so nothing of concern on that side of the box.

Cat temp just came back DOWN to 1876F, according to the probe. Once it's down to 1700F, I'll be heading for bed.

 

[BrotherBart]

Dang, you beat my 1,012 degree record by a few degrees.

 

[Ashful]

Cat probe now down to 1812F, glowing stopped. Now there's flame in the firebox, where previously there was none. Stovetop at 510F.

Dang, you beat my 1,012 degree record by a few degrees.

One side was only 1018F, if that makes you feel better.

 

[Ashful]

Cat probe now down to 1570F, but stovetop has climbed to 550F with some fireshow. I think now I'm getting into the mode of noticing everyday normal behavior, to which I just haven't paid much attention in a very long time. Will wait until stovetop peaks and drops, then get some sleep.

 

[webby3650]

This brings back memories of my Lopi Leyden. It's kinda scary when it's out of your control! And mine had drywall behind it!

 

[Ashful]

First time it's ever happened with one of my Firelights. They're both 20 years old, and this one still has all original parts.

I think I know what happened, but will hold my tongue until I know for sure.

 

[Jags]

***Watching thread patiently for results...***

 

[spirilis]

Crack in the castings or furnace cement resulting in unmetered intake air?

 

[mellow]

I know I got that when my door gasket failed on my stove, cat was well over 2000 degrees. Not good when you can see orange where your gasket should be sealing.

 

[Tenn Dave]

Generally will one time temps this high damage the stove or can she weather the storm?

 

[branchburner]

Temp on outside of single wall, 14" above stove collar, is almost 450F. That's noticeably hotter than my pipe usually runs, on this stove.

Sounds like some extra combustion air is getting in. No chips or pieces of bark preventing a proper seal in any doors?

 

[Ashful]

Generally will one time temps this high damage the stove or can she weather the storm?

I do not expect that it will have damaged any major components / castings. However, I do suspect it could cause enough thermal expansion to cause the cement in the seams to fail.

Crack in the castings or furnace cement resulting in unmetered intake air?

Maybe we should make this a contest? If I can conclusively determine the cause of failure, I'll send a four-pack of some really special beer to the first person with the right answer. Duplicate answers will be credited to the first.

Like I said, I think I already know the cause, and anyone paying attention last summer might remember.

 

[mellow]

Did your dog get the foot pedal confused again?

 

[Jags]

Aliens?

 

[Tenn Dave]

I do not expect that it will have damaged any major components / castings. However, I do suspect it could cause enough thermal expansion to cause the cement in the seams to fail.


Maybe we should make this a contest? If I can conclusively determine the cause of failure, I'll send a four-pack of some really special beer to the first person with the right answer. Duplicate answers will be credited to the first.

Like I said, I think I already know the cause, and anyone paying attention last summer might remember.

Probably your bypass damper was not sealing well. I remember reading about your concern with the new cat and expanding gaskets.

 

[Valhalla]

This 20 year old stove, like any 20 year old appliance or machine needs periodic inspections. Like a car that runs wide open all winter long, parts wear out or are subject to material breakdown and damage. Fix it or replace it, and consider that it was safely contained.

 

[ailanthus]

1035!?!? That's when a proper chimney install & stove clearances are for.

I admire the calm of your initial post. I'd've been changing pants right about then.

I'll guess it was an ashpan door letting air in (if the stove even has one).

 

[jeff_t]

I admire the calm of your initial post.

I think it's probably because the stove is sitting completely inside a fireplace the size of my garage.

 

[BrotherBart]

I think it's probably because the stove is sitting completely inside a fireplace the size of my garage.

 

[BrotherBart]

You should see the size of his drum studio. I am still waiting on a video to see if he knows what to do with that excessive amount of hardware.

I am starting to think he is a hedge fund manager.

 

[rudysmallfry]

Wow, I'd be sitting there with a bucket of sand, a fire extinguisher and dirty underwear. You seem to be handling this very well!

 

[Ashful]

You should see the size of his drum studio. I am still waiting on a video to see if he knows what to do with that excessive amount of hardware.

LOL! I was a good drummer 20 years ago... and not entirely horrible as recently as 5 years ago. Now, the extent of my drumming is sitting behind the kit with a 5 year old on my lap, randomly whacking at things.

Yes, Jeff... having your stove inside a fireplace does give one some confidence that things can't go that terribly wrong.

 

[BrotherBart]

Sold my studio kit a few years ago and am now looking for a worthy high school kid that is serious about playing. With understanding parents and neighbors, to donate my practice kit. Since when I first started in the 60's Dad wouldn't cosign the note for a kit.

 

[Dairyman]

Dang, you beat my 1,012 degree record by a few degrees.

I didn't see a picture so maybe not.

Hope the stoves not messed up to bad joful.