Coalpail.com Forum

Any Alaska 140 users have a problem with the ash door not wanting to stay shut. I installed the Alaska 140 for my parents last season and it runs extremely well. Upon firing it up this season, the ash door does not want to stay shut. I looked to see if something was preventing it from staying closed but nothing. They did leave the ash door ajar over the summer so the lead cord for the light could run into the furnace. I cleaned the furnace myself at the end of the season and have inspected the ash door and do not see any reason why the door does not stay closed considering it worked fine last season. Question: Could leaving the door ajar allow the gasket on the door to swell. I've never heard of this happening, however, I guess there is a first time for everything.

The snowman.

Not really swell, but on my hitzer Where the lip had indented the gasket re filled itself & it took a few times of really pushing to get it closed the indent I guess reappeared & closing became easier--you're right---strange stuff

Never had that problem with my alaska 140 auger. Wouldn't the handle/latch on the door keep it closed? The handle would have to come up for it to come unlatched. Also never had fiberglass stove gasket swell on me.

My guess is that there is something either in the gasket area interfering and making it thicker somehow (rust behind the gasket maybe?) or maybe the handle/latch got bent over the summer. Possibly even the rim around the opening to the ash pan cavity.

Mike