Repair Question--Hitzer 983 Grate Frame

So, Grizzly, what grade of steel should I get? I'm thinking you might know.

A36 steel or 1018 steel would be fine. If you want to go super crazy you could get some monel.

Remember guys, this crack is not in a structural part. The cracked piece is nothing but a brick retainer. That piece that has bulged from heat and cracked could be cut out several inched on either side of the crack, and the bricks would still be retained just fine.. the only reason it bulged and got hot is that the coal bed was often 'ash free' in this area and the hot coals were burning right against the steel.. with fresh air coming up from the ashpan area making the fire very hot in that area.

A simple weld on the crack to keep it from spreading wider and a less enthusiastic shaking and poking routine will make this piece last another 4-5 years.. Just leave a bit more ash along the back row.

The grate hangers, and shape of the frame are in very good shape.. So unless the photos don't show a badly twisted or mishaped frame, it still will retain the bricks and hold the grates.

Personally I'd weld the crack, and put it back in service.

Greg L

Ashcat wrote:A bit of follow-up: I spoke to my dealer today, who reports that he spoke to Hitzer and was informed that the grate frame is NOT covered under warranty. I have seen a PDF of the Hitzer warranty that a stove shop had posted online, and it did specifically disclaim any part that was not manufactured by Hitzer themselves, including grates. I had assumed that the grate frame was manufactured at Hitzer, but apparently this is not the case..

Good information to know for my grate warranty request for a similar part. I'll ask them if they consider this acceptable & ask who made it for them so I can speak to them as well.

The question is not just a warranty question but a question of if the grate was made properly ~ if the performance is not up to snuff then the warranty issue is not a major roadblock to getting it replaced.

From the Hitzer website (503 brochure)
High-quality materials:
• 3/16" steel firebox • 1/4" steel top • 11 gauge steel
exterior shell • Removable cast iron grate system

One could argue that the listing of the grates is a "high quality material" is an express warranty that supersedes or is in adds these parts in addition to the written warranty, attached here; either that or they should change their sales lit to delete the "high quality" . Look, they don't warranty the blowers? Really? How much howling would a person do if the fans failed after 24 hours?

Hardly anyone makes all the components in their products ... to market the final product as having high quality materials (they could have made the grate from SS if they wanted to ~ and maybe should have if they want to tout its high quality) and then to say "we don't stand behind it" is counter intuitive.

Also read the warranty again ... it does not exclude the GRATE FRAME ... it's their words, not mine. The other text "other component..." is vague and does not inform the buyer that the grate frame is not covered. I think the grate frame is covered unless they specifically says it is not !

I think I'll get my gate frame under the warranty ...

If I were making stoves I'd find it hard to warrantee past one or two seasons. from reading on this forum the mistakes, abuse and lack of understanding what the stove is meant to do, how much it will heat etc.. The stoves are abused on a regular basis.

Now about this grate frame, as I mentioned, it is doing it's job.. it has NOT stopped functioning as it was designed to. The grates are held in place, the still rock back and forth, this 'complaint' about the small bulge in a strip of steel that does not hold weight, have any forces on it at all, it's nothing but a short 'wall' for the base of the fire brick to stay inside of..

After 4 seasons I think the frame is in good shape.. I'd not bother with anything more than a quick buzz with the arc welder..

To 'blame' Hitzer is absurd.. do you expect them to cover cosmetic issues, which is what this is, to repair and replace parts for cosmetic reasons, when the part's 'flaw' is burried under 6" of redhot coal when the part is doing the job it's designed for??

If the firebricks fell off the back wall, jammed the grates or fell into the ashpan, then yeah, lets replace the part.. but it's a minor crack which is the result of normal or maybe slight over heating.. I can't see Hitzer or any other manufacturer replacing it after four seasons.

Greg L

LsFarm wrote:If I were making stoves I'd find it hard to warrantee past one or two seasons. ...

To 'blame' Hitzer is absurd.. .... I can't see Hitzer or any other manufacturer replacing it after four seasons.

Greg L

I have looked at other stove manufacturers .. they do warranty their grates .. the only blame I am placing on Hitzer is that they should abide by their warranty. They wrote it, yes? So you think they should be released from it? For what reason? Because a stove gets hot? I like my Hitzer, its a good stove...but I do expect the warranty to be honored. I like my car too but if a part under warranty needs to be replaced I wouldn't see an argument that it travels on the road as a reason for voiding the warranty.

Hitzer offered a five yr warranty ... THEY made it part of the purchase contract; THEY wrote the contract. Hitzer did not list what parts they manufacture .. they list a few that they don't .. this vagueness is on them, not their customers.

I can fully see Hitzer replacing the part after 4 yrs 365 days from the purchase date. I own some things that have a lifetime warranty ... and if they need repair or replacement I call them and they honor the warranty.

If you were to make stoves, you would likely offer a 4-5 yr warranty too if you determine that a 2 yr one is losing you customers and lowering your profits.

I'd call Dean at Hitzer direct, the grates are warranteed, right? I'd not listen to a dealer, get the info and explaination from the factory, from Dean.
He's a very straightforward person,

Greg L.