Questions About Antique Stove Longevity

Hey guys. Seeing how my stove is freshly restored I would like to keep it that way. So a few questions.

1) Other than letting ash sit in the ashpan what else destroys grates?

2) I have no intentions of ever burning wood, but why does wood ruin the stoves? Is it because people lay the logs against the barrel then it overheats and warps?

3) My stove is painted can I use stove polish to touch up?

4) What is the highest temperature the stove should be run at? Right now my comfort level is 600 degrees. Although with the mild weather I'm running between 300 and 400. Keeps the house between 70-75 and basement dry.

That should do it for now. Thanks Matt.

Well you must consider that the stove is already 120 years old so it must be pretty durable.
Keep the outer parts polished with stove polish, not paint.
In the Spring scrub everything out with a wire brush and steel wool.
Get a 100 Watt light bulb to stick in there during the summer and take down the pipe so moisture doesn't get in from the chimney.
This stove can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees without damage. Don't worry you will never get it that hot.
Chunking wood in these things breaks iron castings and dings up the barrel.

Thanks William. I think I knew the answers, but I wanted to hear it from the Stove God. I want this stove to last another 120 years. Thanks again. Matt

DePippo79 wrote:Hey guys. Seeing how my stove is freshly restored I would like to keep it that way. So a few questions.

1) Other than letting ash sit in the ashpan what else destroys grates?

Letting ash sit in the ash pan doesn't destroy grates. Letting the ash build up and be touching the grates from under the running fire will ...

DePippo79 wrote:2) I have no intentions of ever burning wood, but why does wood ruin the stoves? Is it because people lay the logs against the barrel then it overheats and warps?

I burned wood in my stove for a couple decades and had no problems at all. When I took it to Emery at the Stove Hospital to restore it, he told me my fire box was in just about the best condition he'd ever seen one in...

DePippo79 wrote:4) What is the highest temperature the stove should be run at? Right now my comfort level is 600 degrees. Although with the mild weather I'm running between 300 and 400. Keeps the house between 70-75 and basement dry

I run my stove anywhere from below 200 to over 800. I used to run it even hotter with wood. Cast iron handles heat quite well...

dj

I think the # 1 thing people do wrong,provided they have safe installations,is over shake the grates bringing hot coals too close to the grates.When you see the first sparks,stop shaking.The ash actually protects your grates,when burning the coal,from over heating.Also,over shaking brings unburned coal onto grates that can jam them and then you force them and break them.Buy good coal,no slate that won't burn,but will break grates.

Thanks for the new replies guys. Granted it isn't really that cold yet, but I think I'm off to a good start. Haven't had any problems with lighting, keeping a fire, or maintaining desired temp. Although I did let the fire burn out today. 70 degrees yesterday house still at 80 this morning. Little too hot. Looks like Monday temps are going to fall and stay there. I'll see if I can wait till then to fire back up. Thanks again. Matt

fifthg wrote:I think the # 1 thing people do wrong,provided they have safe installations,is over shake the grates bringing hot coals too close to the grates.

I went through 2 grates on my Chubby and couldn't figure out why. I was very cautious not to overfire the stove. I did shake the ever loving crap out of it...guess thats a big no no! Thought I was doing the right thing by getting all the ash I could possibly get out of the fire. This makes complete sense, the ash insulates the grates! Thanks for the great advice...or should I say thanks for saving my grate!

it was "grate" advice,your "gratefulness" is appreciated,Thanks

Oh grate...here we go

Antique stoves longevity: 1874 and still burn just like day one and all the options like base burner, double heater, magazine (I removed it), radiant and convection heater, bottom opening for fresh outside air, under the base air circulation............and can heat more than 2100 Sqf easily...........