Stove dropped out yesterday afternoon with the warm front so I took the opportunity to do a spring cleaning of the box this morning Normal vacuum work in the front air channel and vacuumed up above the fire bricks. Figured I would take a peak at what might be lurking atop the fire board. Tough to get a good look or tool to clean it off, but figured out a good method. Take one board and slide it across the top of the other. Move both boards toward the center before sliding one board all the way across the other to allow the ash to fall into the stove, not onto the ledge. Now swap so the bottom board is the top and repeat. I found a ton of fine ash atop the boards No doubt the air flow was restricted. That is after 3 seasons of burning. Hope this helps.
Sorry, thought it was in the sig. NC30 Englander. Bet many of the EPA non-cats are of similar design.
I just pull the boards out and brush 'em off, but find the same thing. Have to be careful....the boards are a little soft and break pretty easily. Yes, I learned that the hard way.
Can you drop the board without removal of any parts? I recall another conversation regarding replacing the boards and that it required removal of the reburn tubes. I didn't even try it.
I pull the first one, then drop the boards out. Less than a minute. I usually do it when I'm running a brush down the pipe, so they don't get a hole poked through 'em.
mywaynow made me do it....but I pulled the boards, and took the brush on the roof. Ran it through a few times, and this is what I got..... I'm gonna' call it about a cup, cup and a half. Just about the same from the cap and section I pulled on the roof. This is usually done the first part of Jan., but my brother had the extension ladder until a bit ago. Anyway, a bit more than I was hoping for, but not too bad.
I believe the larger Jotul stoves have the vermiculite board on top too. I remember having to do the same thing with my F500 years ago. Good thread for folks with the boards.
