We've been waking up to temps in the low to mid 40's for the past week. Got me motivated to do some work to get the range ready for another heating season. Since the stove pipes have been through 12 seasons (about 9 months use each season) they are getting worn thin. I noticed there's some pin hole rust. Not too bad for cheap, 24 gauge stove pipe.
Also saw that there was a crack in the manual pipe damper's plate near where the shaft fits into it. Oh well, I guess 12 long seasons was all it was good for, too. I had a second one I bought back then and noticed the $3.00 price tag. Didn't feel so bad when I realized that first MPD only cost me an average of 25 cents per season.
Picked up all new pipes and elbows. Installed them and made some improves while I could. To cut down on ash buildup, I sloped the longer horizontal run more - close to a 45 degree angle.
Then I installed the new MPD lower in the pipe, with the handle toward the cooktop, where it's easier/safer to reach. That way we're not leaning over the hottest part of the range - the firebox end - to get to it.
Started a wood fire yesterday to burn off the new-paint smell, while I could still open the doors/windows, and add a bit of a creosote layer to the inside of the new pipes in the hopes it will help preserve them.
After the wood fire burned out and it cooled down, I gave the range a good cleaning inside and out and then polished the cook top and mantel shelf - the two surfaces that get the most use/abuse. Then smeared some Hercules furnace cement in the seam gaps at each pipe joint to better seal them and reduce draft reducing air leaks into the pipe.
Good thing that's all done, too, because this morning it got down to 38F. This is about two weeks ahead of when we usually need to fire it up (more glo-bull warming, huh?). Started the first coal fire of the season. Nice to have a warm kitchen again, plus not need expensive pro-pain to do the cooking. After the Cat came in from her short, "morning patrol" she appreciated the warmth, too.
Paul
