I've lived in this home since '02. Burn about one cord a year. The first grating lasted about four years before it buckled and broke. I'm now on the fourth replacement. Sometimes I let the ashes get deep before cleaning. And burn a lot of oak. Am I doing something wrong? I get my gratings from Menards. ???
Are they steel or cast iron. I suspect steel. Steel won't last forever, cast iron might.
Not sure Don. The current one appears to be a cast of some description. No welds.
sparks
When you buy a new replacement, turn the item over and see if the "Made In China" stamp is on it.
Yep. There's cast iron and then there's Cast Iron. The grate in the Chinese chiminea has sagged a slight amount after many hot fires. The grate in our old VC stove was put through many cold winters and never had any signs of wear or stress. I expect the new VC stove to be good as the iron is still cast in Vermont.
Quote from: StinkerBell on January 19, 2009, 09:48:11 PM
When you buy a new replacement, turn the item over and see if the "Made In China" stamp is on it.
Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you Stinkerbell.
I never even thought to look!
And Thanks to you Don. From now on I'll be paying closer attention.
sparks