Grate busted in half.

MountainJet1 · Post by **MountainJet1** » Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 4:23 pm

It appears my coal heat is too strong for my cast iron grates. My stove has grates about 14 inches long.
Earlier this winter one broke in half. Just recently another. I replaced the first one, but saved the last one broken and
have been able to criss cross those 4 parts to create a workable grate. My concern is the remaining 12, and the approximate $40 cost per grate. It is a 1981 stove which came with the home I bought, so my cost is 0. Nevertheless, the stove is my main heating since 2013. It has gotten me through power outages, kept the house at even 70-72 degrees, and dramaticaly reduced my electric usage. I'm using nut coal. Should I continue to keep buying these parts? From other threads, it seems grates fail often. I clean the stove often. Usually white ash coal except this year red ash which has more clinkers. I usually let it run out on warmer winter days, and when very cold, I reload, shake, for about 3 days.
I am wondering if a foundry can make me steel grates to match my cast iron grates. Or should i just buy one of these more modern $2k ones. Not happy with the cost for these newer stoves, seems excessive and cheaply made. My coalbrookdale much wenloch is an amazing stove

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 4:59 pm

I imagine how you fire the stove will have an impact on the life of the grates, fire brick.. etc. etc. I was just looking at the cost to restore a Much Wenlock and so I have a general idea of the cost of some of the replacement parts. It's not insignificant.

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 5:21 pm

You're seemingly thrilled with your stove. You count on it every Winter since 2013. It needs some Love to keep serving You. I'd rebuild the entire grate mechanism. Give it a Life Extension!

Post by **StokerDon** » Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 7:10 pm

MountainJet1 wrote: ↑
Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 4:23 pm
I am wondering if a foundry can make me steel grates to match my cast iron grates.

What???
Steel grates will melt, that's why the make them out of cast iron.

I always loved the way the Coalbrookdale stoves look. But, as with a lot of cast stoves from across the pond, they could be a little more heavy duty. If you love the stove, then it would be a good idea to keep spares for it. 38 years isn't bad for a set of grates.

-Don

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 9:14 pm

MountainJet1 wrote: ↑
Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 4:23 pm
Earlier this winter one broke in half. Just recently another.

Never needed to do it myself, but read that new grates need to be seasoned or broke in gradually...ya don't just stick em in and build a normal big ole 12 hour fire when first put into use...maybe others could elaborate better as to this process.

Seem to recall even that someone doing the seasoning in their kitchen oven with the controlled temps. and the timer to hold temp as required. This could allow so not to exceed the different steps along the way up to final temp. and time to heat soak.

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 5:30 am

......and there's always on of these

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/625479084588693/

Post by **StokerDon** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 8:41 am

keegs wrote: ↑
Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 5:30 am
......and there's always on of these

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/625479084588693/

Yah, but then you have the 'Ol Facebook problem. They won't let you in unless you join and agree to give them your valuable information.

-Don

Den034071 · Post by **Den034071** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 9:24 am

M sent you a P M .jack

MountainJet1 · Post by **MountainJet1** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 10:06 am

Thought steel was more expensive and the strongest, and why the higher end stoves use more steel not cast iron.
Thanks about the spares. I will keep a few instead of ordering when they go. Everything else with the stove is great.
Been burning coal since 2013 consistently. Previous to me, the other owner used wood only. They were in great shape, seems like the middle one is warped, and the two failed on the left side. I have been more careful shaking, and poking but it'sonly a matter of time. Glad winter wll be over soon.

StokerDon wrote: ↑
Fri. Feb. 22, 2019 7:10 pm
What???
Steel grates will melt, that's why the make them out of cast iron.

I always loved the way the Coalbrookdale stoves look. But, as with a lot of cast stoves from across the pond, they could be a little more heavy duty. If you love the stove, then it would be a good idea to keep spares for it. 38 years isn't bad for a set of grates.

-Don

Post by **StokerDon** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 10:18 am

MountainJet1 wrote: ↑
Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 10:06 am
Thought steel was more expensive and the strongest, and why the higher end stoves use more steel not cast iron.

Steel is stronger, but cast iron can take more heat. Stoves that are made from steel need firebrick in there firebox to keep the lit coal from coming in contact with the steel. The grates are always cast iron.

Glad to hear you are keeping your Much Wenloch. If you bought one of the new coal stoves, you might be disappointed.

-Don

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Sat. Feb. 23, 2019 10:21 am

One other option,....
If the grates seem a bit weak, you might be able to have stronger ones made. Many of us antique stove owners get recast cast iron parts made by foundries that specialize in that work. One used by quite a few of us is Tomahawk Foundry.

http://www.tomahawkfoundry.com/

Very often Tomahawk can recast new grates using your broken grates as the pattern. You can beef them up by adding a coating of Bondo or epoxy to the grates to thicken them so that the recasts made from them will come out thicker and stronger.

If you email Al at Tomahawk pictures of your broken grate, he can likely give you an estimate. He has for me when I needed new grate bars made.

Paul

MountainJet1 · Post by **MountainJet1** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2019 10:39 pm

thanks, will do