My Vintage Stove Leaks Around the Top Door

wsherrick · Post by **wsherrick** » Sun. Dec. 13, 2009 4:17 pm

See

I told you so, didn't I

Dr Cherry · Post by **Dr Cherry** » Sun. Dec. 13, 2009 5:00 pm

wsherrick wrote:See I told you so, didn't I

I'm hooked.

Dr Cherry · Post by **Dr Cherry** » Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 11:06 am

I cleaned the stove last night and found a lever I hadn't noticed before.

There are two exits at the back of my firebox at either side and this lever closes one of them. I assume they both go to the same place but why would I close one of them? It's weighted and either open or closed, there's no way to stop it partially open.

It's been open this whole time.

What is it?

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 11:28 am

One makes the exhaust path longer for more heat output...
The other is shorter for startup and refills...

Dr Cherry · Post by **Dr Cherry** » Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 11:32 am

CapeCoaler wrote:One makes the exhaust path longer for more heat output...
The other is shorter for startup and refills...

That makes sense. It should be a bit easier to start with it closed. Excellent.

wsherrick · Post by **wsherrick** » Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 4:03 pm

Guess what

You have a baseburner. Baseburners are the most efficient of all coal stoves. If you haven't looked at the thread about the Glenwood Baseburner I just put in my house please do so if you wish. There are basically two draft modes: direct draft for starting the fire and when you are shaking and reloading and Baseburning mode. Baseburning mode recirculates the exhaust down around and under the stove so the most heat possible can be extracted from the fire. Spend time experimenting and learning the nuances of your stove as you use it. LIke I said to you earlier, you will not trade this stove for a modern stove, no way, no how, once you come to know it well. You should be justly proud of your stove.

Dr Cherry · Post by **Dr Cherry** » Wed. Dec. 16, 2009 4:41 pm

wsherrick wrote:Guess what You have a baseburner. Baseburners are the most efficient of all coal stoves. If you haven't looked at the thread about the Glenwood Baseburner I just put in my house please do so if you wish. There are basically two draft modes: direct draft for starting the fire and when you are shaking and reloading and Baseburning mode. Baseburning mode recirculates the exhaust down around and under the stove so the most heat possible can be extracted from the fire. Spend time experimenting and learning the nuances of your stove as you use it. LIke I said to you earlier, you will not trade this stove for a modern stove, no way, no how, once you come to know it well. You should be justly proud of your stove.

This explains a lot. There's a compartment under the ash tray and I'm betting hot gas/air circulates down there when the "baseburning" mode is enabled. There was a dead bird down there when I got it home.

I guess I ought to make sure all the passages are open. This is great info thanks! I'll check out your baseburner post ASAP.