Running wood furnace w/o shaker grates?

[Nuzzy]

So, we have an old (circa early 80s) Duomatic Olsen wood/coal furnace which we never use for coal. The shaker grates have been going downhill and finally the other day, one fell apart. There is a removable ash pan in the area directly below the grates which is nothing more than thin sheet metal.

My question is, could I potentially just remove the other two grates, line the bottom with firebrick, and build fires right off the bottom? I can't imagine the bottom would not be rated for the heat...

Thoughts?

 

[CrappieKeith]

It was built to operate with grates....I'd not deviate.
What size is the fire box?

 

[Nuzzy]

Firebox is probably 20"L x 16"W inside the firebrick. It's pretty tall (24-30") of vert space. I'll take better pics of the inside tonight for reference. The ash pan sits on the floor, is 3-4" tall, and the grates land directly above it (think middle of the bottom door).

 

[CrappieKeith]

I've got 8"x 18"...2 of them side by side would leave a 1" gap in the front and 1" in the back.
They are $59.99 each
Part# 10100900

 

[gulity1]

Kinda of realted there is a guy I found when I was searching for a parlor stove in Rhode Island he runs a bussiness restoring stoves I know he has all kind of grates for coal/wood stoves I have talked to him multi times seems like a good guy If you pm me I will send you the web page I dont think I can post it on here as he is not a site sponsor etc. (dont want to get talked too or possiably a get my hand slapped) he may be able to help you or point you in a direction or keith is always helpful just a thought

 

[Nuzzy]

Grate area:

 

[fields_mj]

This is my opinion, so take it for what its worth. You don't need a shaker grate, but you do need something. My wood furnace is about the same age as yours, and it just has a fixed grate in it. My dad used to have a MONARCH that he bought in '78 that was the same way. Just a fixed grate at the bottom with an ash pan under it. Mine works fine. I have a steel rod with a short piece of flat steel welded to the end (like a T) that I use to knock the ashes down when I need to, which is very seldom. You do need to keep the wood and hot coals out of your ash pan though, so you will need some kind of grate. You might even be able to build a great out of some 1" flat steel stood up on end.

Just my 2 bits,
Mark

 

[birdriver]

Need new grate for Olsen Furnace

I wanted to know what you finally did to fix your furnace. As I now have that same problem and Olsen is long gone.

 

[squamisheric]

squamisheric : I also had a grate break about ten years ago. A farmer's fix and I was able to repair it for next to nothing. The most expensive part was a round steel support rod the same length and diameter as the round part of the grate that extends out of the support towards you.The other thing you'll need is a crusher screen. Most towns have producer of aggregate for roads or concrete. Ask them for a used screen from their screen-deck and they probably will give it to you for nothing. Screens come with various sized openings. I used a 1 /1/2" screen. If you have a disc grinder or a cutting torch cut the screen to size and put it on top of the grates and your done.