Running EFM W Damaged Grates

jbarnes · Post by **jbarnes** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 9:11 am

What are the risks of running a coal stoker with damaged grates? One of my grates cracked and chipped and I currently do not have the money to replace them, however I cannot go without heat, what risks are associated with this? The cheapest estimate I received was $900, and cannot do that for a few weeks due to bills, but with the temperature plummeting the next couple days I need to do something

Thanks

coldinmaine · Post by **coldinmaine** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 10:40 am

bummer...do you have pictures of the grates? There is "damaged" and then there is "DAMAGED!!" I am new to my own EFM, But I assume that occasionally grates fail (slightly) mid season and people don't even know until they clean the next spring/summer.

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 10:42 am

The risk is more damage to your stoker. If there is a hole in your grates, the coal will push in there and the fire has a path to get where it's not supposed to be. Or,,,, the coal that does push in there blocks the airflow to the rest of the pot.

kstills · Post by **kstills** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 10:44 am

The grate on my LL has been cracked for two years now, and doesn't seem to hurt the performance at all. It's a crack in the middle, but it hasn't opened up into the pan below, so I suppose that's why it hasn't yet become an issue.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 10:52 am

There is a big difference between a LL flat/inclined grate having a crack and a cracked/chipped grate in a under-fed stoker such as a EFM.
The under-fed grates are like the petals of a rose.

Post by **Rob R.** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 11:05 am

There is a big difference between a crack and a hole. If the grate is cracked and the pieces are still in place, you should be able to run it for a while. The problems start when there is a gap/hole large enough for coal to fall through. As Scott mentioned, it could damage other components. If you have no choice but to run it I would pull the fines cleanout lever more frequently and monitor what you get out of the pot.

Depending on how long the stoker has been in service, it may need attention in other areas.

jbarnes · Post by **jbarnes** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 1:02 pm

I'm thinking it is going to need a lot of work come spring/summer when the funds are more readily available, I talked to my fiance about other possible solutions to heating our home and possibly replacing the whole system this year.

by damaged I mean the very top part of the one grate literally broke off, I shut it down immediately and have been running electric heaters for the last two weeks, however with the temperatures steadily dropping the temperature in our house is as well, although insulation is very good. I believe the pot needs to be replaced already anyway, The two quotes I have are $900+ which is ripping it apart and doing an overhaul on the furnace.

coldinmaine · Post by **coldinmaine** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 2:36 pm

I would consider doing it yourself, are you able to? It is not technically difficult to replace a gate.

ben · Post by **ben** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 3:36 pm

I would agree with cold try replacing it yourself. I installed my pot, worms and coupler when I bought my unit used. I am not a plumber but its grunt work. Maybe you can get a reconditioned unit and change the whole pot.