What causes cast iron woodstove to crack? Stove dealer says green wood has to do with

[Marc]

But why did it happen. What you say in how it happens.

The applied stress was greater than the strength of the material.


*ta-da*

 

[jags]

The applied stress was greater than the strength of the material.


*ta-da*

ie - "It broke".

 

[cheeves]

Rapidly changing temperatures, especially hot to cold.

I knew a guy in the 70's busted a 118 Jotul with some frozen dead oak. 2 main causes are cheap cast iron and frozen wood.

 

[SpiralAcacia]

Dealer says...

News from The Front!

The dealer who sold the Jotul 602 wood stove to my friend emailed him an answer regarding the growing crack in the back of the baffle.
It goes to the tune of -
"I showed the pics to a colleague just to be on the safe side...
You'll have to buy a moisture meter, google it up...
The baffle damage and the over-all looks of your firebox is a definite giveaway that you've been burning firewood that's over 15% moist.
Continuing to burn over 15% moisture firewood will result in destroying the whole stove and it's the reason for VOIDING the warranty...
You best take your plate (i.e. Baffle - SA) to welder's shop to get it fixed up in a heat resistant way...."

Got to tell you guys, I've been wasting some time surfing the net trying to find SOMETHING to support this nonsense....
Even in Jotul's 602's User Manual only problem related to wet wood mentioned is bad burn, creosote build-up etc.
Only damage they mention there is from over-firing...

So my friend will try to talk some sense into the guy and then he needs to either small claims the guy or drop it.
Seems Jotul doesn't have an official dealership here in this neck of the woods, at least I couldn't find it on the web, and they don't really have an international address to whine to...
I actually think Jotul would be interested to know about a production flaw.



Thanks

SA

 

[Como]

Should be with the warranty info.

I think they are in Maine.

 

[ray benson]

Warranty is given by Jøtul North America, Inc.,
55 Hutcherson Drive, Gorham, Maine 04038 USA

 

[fir]

The only thing that would crack cast iron besides casting flaw or poor quality is heating it up real hot and dumping cold water on it.

 

[SpiralAcacia]

Location...

Hmmm, guys, I'm a little bit AWAY from Maine vicinity...

I'm from Israel, middle east :smile:

Jotul have dealers for many countries but seems not for this one!
Maybe it's to small of a market, donnow...

SA

 

[wkpoor]

Not sure how much use this stove has seen but cast iron baffles are known to wear out. Many new stoves have the ceramic baffle board which will survive heat better. Sure a cast iron stove will last nearly forever but not the baffle. In continuous use they last about 15yrs if made from good quality iron.

 

[SpiralAcacia]

Not sure how much use this stove has seen but cast iron baffles are known to wear out. Many new stoves have the ceramic baffle board which will survive heat better. Sure a cast iron stove will last nearly forever but not the baffle. In continuous use they last about 15yrs if made from good quality iron.

Exactly what the manufacturer says, it makes sense.
In the warranty Jotul mentions the baffle as 'consumables', but in this case the stove sees its 3rd winter when the crack appears...
Even 10 years sounds acceptable if not desired, but 2 winters and that's it...? Nah.

SA

 

[jags]

You'll have to buy a moisture meter, google it up...
The baffle damage and the over-all looks of your firebox is a definite giveaway that you've been burning firewood that's over 15% moist.
Continuing to burn over 15% moisture firewood will result in destroying the whole stove and it's the reason for VOIDING the warranty...

Complete and utter BS. There is no fricken way. Mater of fact, wood with a higher moisture content will burn at a lower rate then the dry stuff. There is NO way that enough moisture could escape wet wood fast enough to create ANY thermal shock to the cast iron @ 5-600F. Period.

Glad it is not me in this situation.