G111 Continued

[joeq]

I hear all of yas' I'm still not only idling the 111, but haven't taken the plow off my 214 JD lawn tractor. Cause we all know what'll happen, don't we. But seriously, the end is near. Or it'ld better be. My coal supply is gettin on E, or past reserve.

How bout you guys. Do you buy just enuff to get by, or buy major bulk to get by a few winters. And if so, do you keep a minimum reserve, or do you run it dry, and refill? I'll bet the PA crowd can keep up, but me in Southern New England, gets kinda costly to have an inventory. And we all know what the government does to "inventory".

(TOTP)

[waytomany?s]

I can only keep up with coal in milder temps, Mark II in basement. I try to pick up a ton as price allows. This year was mild and I burned twice as long as last year. I ended up buying 2 ton total and had maybe 25 bags from last year. I think I'm going for another week before I shut down, at least that's the plan looking at the 10 day.

[joeq]

I can only keep up with coal in milder temps, Mark II in basement. I try to pick up a ton as price allows. This year was mild and I burned twice as long as last year. I ended up buying 2 ton total and had maybe 25 bags from last year. I think I'm going for another week before I shut down, at least that's the plan looking at the 10 day.

Almost everything you mentioned (?) same here.

[tcalo]

How’s that G111 doing Joe? I let the C40 burn out about a week ago. Daytime temps were too high to justify keeping it going. I’m done for the season! I just bump the oil heat at night.

[joeq]

Hi Tom. Ditto here. I still have about a couple weeks worth-a LeHigh stove leftover, to store this summer. But maybe we'll have an April snow storm for the records, to contend with. Ya never know here in NE. The 111 was good to me, again this season, even tho the back pipe rotted out early. I taped it with some 2" metal duct tape, and it held all winter. Now I'll need-ta address it before next season. (If I remember)

And you and yours enjoy your time off from ash removal. See ya Tom.

[joeq]

Here we are, middle of a brutal summer. Heat, humidity, and rain. A little of everything. Great if you're trying to grow crab grass. I think some peoples gardens, (here in NE) are thriving too. Mixed reviews on ours.

And my story goes like this...
So some of you members know of my dilemma or complaint with the 111 is the viewing window. Maybe trivial to some, but for mine to be perfect, I would like to gain a bit more entertainment, watching the coal bed burning, from an easy chair. Not having to stand 2' in frt, and look down thru the 3 little scarred up mica slots.
And some know of my other thread, asking for a line on a Stewart 290, (like Doug showed off at his Cape Cod store), or even a smaller 270. Of course purchasing such a stove like the stewart, would necessitate an adjustment to my wall thimble, (again) to hook up the back pipe. (Maybe). I never got the chance to find out, cause I guess these stoves are as rare as hens teeth. My other option would be to try and finagle a way to modify the 111s load door, for more mica. And because of our member mntbugy, and his perseverance, found me a sister to my 111, locally, for a decent price, I was able to cart it home a couple nights ago, and move fwd with my dream.

The ad was titled "Antique Glenwood wood stove", and showed one pic of it standing proud, but a bit worn out. Not a lot of details to be had. My daughter was able to text this older woman who was selling it, and got me a couple more pics of it opened up, and a side view. It had the back pipe, no ash pan, and no fire ring. Couldn't see a grate. But for the price, what I was looking at was the parts alone, (that I could see) were worth her asking price. At least for me, because I just needed some parts. The others were extras.

After a 45 min. ride thru 2" of downpouring rain, I arrived to blue skies and clearing. I was 1st met by a young high school boy, who looked pretty strong, and was willing to help me load the stove. After I met with the lady, (his grandmother), we went to the cellar, and there it was, full of ash and sitting alone against the wall. I asked if they had ever had it running, and she mentioned "many yrs ago". I also asked if there were any parts in boxes laying somewhere, and she stated a firm "NO". So what I was seeing, is all there was. No ash pan, no grate, or draw center, no fire ring, and it appears the nickel might be gone from the upper outer ring. But the boot rails, and finial were fine. And so was the back pipe. Fortunately she was flexible on the price, and i got away with a small savings, and she acquired more floor space in her cellar.
And I wanted to mention, because of this unique website, and because I was educated by our most experienced coal burners, I can honestly say that there are many people out there who haven't a clue, not only about the stove, but even how it even operates.
On this particular stove, someone had concreted over the suspended pot thru-way, below the fire ring, down around the pot, into the chambers below, totally eliminating the base heater function. It was totally blocked. There was refractory cement lining the inside of the pot, and that interior was lined with a cast sleeve that maybe was "home-made"? (Pictures below) So I didn't make the time to take photos in her cellar, but would once it got home. As I went to put my cargo strap around the barrel, everything moved!? Why? There wasn't a screw or bolt holding it together. everything was just laid in place. I was a bit taken back, but still the stove was just for parts, so it made it easier to load.
But why was the ash pan bay layered with ash? Did someone take it apart W/O cleaning it? Were they burning wood, with out any joints sealed??? (I don't get it). but actually, I "did" get it.
So here it is, in all its glory...


Not "too bad", right? Too be continued...

[joeq]

From the fully assembled pictures above, to this picture, took all of 3 mins.

And here's a question for the masters. The grate in this lower section looks like a wood grate. When these were sold new, was there an option, to burn wood "or" coal?

And another question. the round "fixture(?) in the foreground below, what looks like a grate, but it's thin metal, and doesn't fit that area. But it will lay under the bonnet. Maybe it's a trivet?

So in my 1st post above, I saved all the furnace cement, that was in the stove. If for nothing more, for the shape or radius of the pot. most of it was broken, but some parts were Ok for a template...maybe.
And lastly, I mentioned a metal sleeve in the pot. Was this ever optioned, for wood burning?


So that's it, in a nut shell. The suspended pot support down low is in good shape, and will provide a decent back-up, "just in case". The barrel is solid, The back pipe is serviceable, and the all important load door is something I can play with, and not worry about ruining my original. And altho there's a bit of surface rust, (because of transporting it back, in more rain), in reality externally it's in OK shape. mainly cause it was stored in a dry cellar, and not left outside to rot.If all the missing pieces were recovered, it would be a rebuildable candidate. But I won't be doing that, at least for now.
And it's such a shame that most people know nothing about the benefits of these stoves, or even care about them. There's only a small following that appreciates them, like collectable cars. (which are also going the way of the Hula hoop.). So let's enjoy what little we have left. Will keep up-dating, if anyone's interested in the 111s progress.

[Sunny Boy]

I can't remember who's stove it was, but I remember seeing a trivet grate like that one of yours, that fit in the top "oven" of a stove like your 111. Much like the roasting grates that some Dutch ovens have to help adjust the temp of whatever is cooking in the top. Might have been the Glenwood square base heater that Wilson had ???? I'll check my pictures of it.

Paul

[tcalo]

Congrats Joe on snagging that stove. Another one saved from the scrap pile. I’m curious and will be following your progress, either for parts or rebuilding!

Btw…my G109 had a trivet under the dome. I’m not sure if it was original or not.

[mntbugy]

Looks to be stamped USA 800t.

Not original, most likely a Griswold dutch oven trivet, for under neath or inside a dutch oven.

Should look like Joe's newest stove or the Clarion 115.

[mntbugy]

Joe's last pic is the trivet for inside 111 oven. Same style as Clarion,C40 bh's.

That firepot grate, need a better pic.
Looks like some Oak stove wood plates or maybe a storm drain grate of some kind.

That sleeve thing could be used as a mold to pour new refactory, for your firepot.

You can sell the nickel trim and get your $$ back.

Thin firepot walls look OK from pics. I see no melted areas.

[Sunny Boy]

Looks to be stamped USA 800t.

Not original, most likely a Griswold dutch oven trivet, for under neath or inside a dutch oven.

Should look like Joe's newest stove or the Clarion 115.

Yes, Dutch oven trivet.

Here's the trivet from my Griswold Dutch oven.

[mntbugy]

Definitely not CHF or BSR.

[Sunny Boy]

Here's the pix I took of the oven trivet in Wilsons GW square Grand.

Paul

[joeq]

Congrats Joe on snagging that stove. Another one saved from the scrap pile. I’m curious and will be following your progress, either for parts or rebuilding!

Btw…my G109 had a trivet under the dome. I’m not sure if it was original or not.

Thanks Tom. I agree with "recycling" the stove, and not the metal. Do you use your trivet, or try to cook anything on your 109? I've done a couple pizzas in mine yrs ago. The 1st one came out fine, but another time, the bottom burnt, while the top was still raw. Maybe the trivet will help.

Joe's last pic is the trivet for inside 111 oven. Same style as Clarion,C40 bh's.

That firepot grate, need a better pic.
Looks like some Oak stove wood plates or maybe a storm drain grate of some kind.

That sleeve thing could be used as a mold to pour new refactory, for your firepot.

You can sell the nickel trim and get your $$ back.

Thin firepot walls look OK from pics. I see no melted areas.

I would think the grate on there was for the 111, wouldn't you? It fits the bottom of the pot support perfectly. But how do they shake down the ashes, if there's no handle for it?
And you bring up and interesting point, about the metal sleeve being a mold for the refractory. Hmmm
As far as selling off some of the parts...maybe. Depending. I have a hard time letting things go...but I should.

Yes, Dutch oven trivet.

Here's the trivet from my Griswold Dutch oven.

Didn't know you had a Griswold stove, Paul. Thought your cooktop was a Glenwood. By the way, is your cooktop burning now, for food? In this summer heat? I've heard stories, (maybe from here), that in the days B4 automatic furnaces, some people would have an "outside" kitchen stove, so as not to heat up the house in the summer.
And I just saw your last post, and that trivet does look the same. Thanks for the info.