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Chimney & Fireplaces/Earth Stove 1003C Model Question

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Expert: - 11/12/2007


Question
Hello,
We just purchased a 22 year old home with an existing Earth Stove model # 1003C (I believe by looking at pictures online of it) It is freestanding, inside a large brick fireplace.  

We noticed a crack in the metal from the lip of door opening on the left side continuing left about 2-3 inches.   This is like a hairline crack but large enough to see the glowing fire through it while the unit was hot.   

What type of repair/if any can be done on these units to make them still usuable.    We are afraid to use this unit until the crack is fixed.    Mostly because of the fear of smoke filling the room, or if the heat will continue to enlarge the fracture that already exists.  

Thanks,
Kim
Northern California

Answer
Kim,

The Earth Stove, #1003C was one of the industries best sellers ever. It used catalytic technology to achieve its EPA certification. The fracture as you describe it is usually the result of over-firing. There is no effective repair for this damage. You are correct in thinking that this crack will continue to grow. Non-cats tend to produce more heat from the same load of fuel. Your 1003C has a 3 cu.ft. firebox, yet in independent laboratory testing it produced a maximum of 51,000 btu/hr. Non-cats with the same size fireboxes produce up to 97,000 btu/hr in the same tests, performed in the same laboratories. The 2 cu.ft. firebox in my stove is just 2/3 the size of yours, yet tested at maximum 67,000 btu/hr. I would recommend replacement with a new EPA certified unit that uses non-catalytic technology to achieve its EPA certification. This will make servicing your stove much easier in the future and your unit will burn much cleaner and efficiently than the damaged Earth Stove. Good luck.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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