It takes two hands to operate my stove door

This is the nature of the problem; the rod just clears the door; but you need the knob to operate it and it also rotates for the AAS feature.

 

I have to assume; yeah, I know, that they had to put the control rod hole that close to the door for a reason; because there is room to put it higher. If the door was in the proper location, it would probably be OK even if it slightly rubbed the door. The problem is that it hits the door and prevents it from closing, you have to bend that spring knob up; which is why the title of the thread; two hands to open and close the door.

 

Yep, but there's a lot of meat there in the door.
Just a suggestion.
If you can't get satisfaction from Lowes or ESW, do what ya' gotta' do.

 

It doesn't look like there's enough clearance even if you were to grind down the bottom side of the top hinge.
Can't be sure w/o measurements.

 

The problem is that you cannot really see in the photo. I did take the knob off and put it in a vise to see if I could flatten it. All I did was deform it to the point it was useless. Currently there is no knob and I burnt my fingers last night operating the damper. I would have to grind down between a quarter of an inch to half an inch; six to twelve mm. The door would look bad to me.

 

Since the rod is removable, I wonder how hard it would be to drill a new hole high enough so the spring would clear, and then tap for a small plug in the first hole. I think Kimberley even suggested this plug idea.
As long as it wouldn't affect the rod movement............

 

I'd bend that rod in a New York minute. Even if it had to be heated up to bend...probably could do it with a propane torch. Shove it all the way in, mark it at the stove face, pull it out to heat it up, shove it back in and bend...let cool and re-install spring handle. Done.

 

Kimberley, how much of a turn is required for the AAS?

 

I couldn't really tell, I don't have the knob on to help. Not much of a turn.

 

ESW said they all 'rub' on the door; which would suggest the hole is where it can be; has to be, otherwise wouldn't ESW put the hole higher so the knob would not rub. I haven't examine to see how the stove is constructed in this regard. However, mine does not rub, it hits and is an obstruction to closing the door. I think the door is mounted too high due to the position of the stove side of the hinges. I emailed ESW with photos of the hinges so I will see what they have to say.

 

Just a thought but <perhaps> ESW would make a new door for you with the hinges offset to compensate for their original mistake in welding the hinges onto the stove body in the wrong place? If so, it would be a 'turnkey' solution for you.

Brian

 

Probably not, the cast iron door is handled by a foundry; they would have to make a mould for just one door. Probably be just as well to grind off the top hinge, move it down, and weld it back. However, I can't do this; I don't have welding skills; one of the things I lack although Dad could have taught me if I had asked. I was always a bit scared of the welding.

 

So what was the result here?

 

Not done, it was cold today, although it has warmed and is now raining. That is the south for you, freezing one minute, raining the next. Two deep freeze has taken out the gardens for this year. I can't really open the door during operation as it still spills some smoke. I will take a look in the morning after the stove burns down during the night.

 

Don't worry, you don't have exclusive rights on that...here in NEO, and being only an hour south of Lake Erie, the saying goes "if you don't like the weather here in NEO, just wait 5 minutes!"

 

For the record- I ran into one of these at a store this weekend. I thought of this thread. The rod definitely cleared the door on the floor model. I must have looked funny standing there moving it for two minutes.

 

Did the spring clear too?

 

It did.

 

If the door seems like it could be shifted down, I would grind that burr off the bottom hinge, and grind the top hinge to lower the door in a heartbeat.