Ideal Steel Season #2 Tips, Tricks, and Improvements.

I had the same thoughts on the probe when I got mine. I bought a small magnet that had a .25" hole in it and that holds it in place and it accurately reads the cat temps. Works great!!!

I'll dig through my email and find out where I ordered it from. It was like $2 or less. Shipping was more...

 

What cleaning method did you do - vinegar bath, vinegar-water spray, dust and vacuum?

 

any tips on cleaning the stove top.....

There was a wax candle that was spilled all over the top and burners. So far some of it has burned away but it has left a dark substance that is pretty hard. It doesn't wipe off anymore (even as we are running pretty hot with these cold temps). Scraping it off with a plastic scraper hasn't worked either. I am thinking of a chemical solution next. Any ideas like Goo Gone or WD-40?

 

I don't like the idea of using solutions. I would try applying some dry ice to the area (when the stove is cold of course) and see if by chance the cold might allow this wax substance to be brittle enough to be scraped away from the surface. Can't imagine this hurting the steel - not sure if it would damage the paint - just the idea that came to my head.

 

I did not have enough vinegar to give it the 50/ 50 vinegar / water bath and boil it. So I just sprayed it down with vinegar in the kitchen sink, let it sit a while (10 minutes maybe?) and rinsed it off with hot water. like a new combustor..... well, not quite like new but definitely rejuvenated.

Part of the problem was that more than 50% of the cells were clogged with ash- either a gentle blast with compressed air or vacuuming would have gone a long way to improving that I think. But the combustor is so easy to remove from an I.S. that it really is not worth [not cleaning] properly in the sink IMO. We are coming into a cold snap and now is the time I really want to the combustor to work the best it can.

Brian

 

I'm not a "form over function" guy, but I think the paint finish may be one of this stove's weaker points. It does scratch up and mark pretty easily. Suggestion- If good ol' soap/water doesn't get it, you could wait until the end of the season, then get the stuff off by whatever means necessary. Then, you could touch up the paint with the stove Brite paint in the spray can.

 

Here's the link from where I purchased the magnet.

Welcome to SurplusGizmos.com, LLC - We sell the Gizmos that bring your ideas to life!

$0.15 isn't too bad I guess...

Mike

 

How's it working out? Pic needed!

 

Here are pictures of my probe and stove with the magnet.

 

I agree with you on the paint. I already have a can from Woodstock to match my color and I told the Mrs. That if worse comes to worse, I can sand it or replace it.

 

Yep good call. I used a couple of cans on my double-wall pipe and ceiling support so it matches the stove. Paint goes on easily and matches well.

 

Good deal! Is it making operation easier? How long is the probe?

 

I've noticed I can engage the cat a lot sooner that's for sure. It's also interesting to watch the cat temp shoot up when it gets going. Just threw in a load and getting it ready to cruise. Temperature is on its way up at the moment.

 

It amazes me that Woodstock don't sell a probe for this stove. I was up there talking with mike lorin and another guy from their and they said that you really don't need it I have been burning mine since Thursday and see how much a probe would come in handy I ordered one just waiting for it to come

 

Does not amaze me at all. Woodstock's most popular stove ever doesn't come with one and certainly is not needed to operate the stove. I just found out the Fireview actually has a cat probe port and Condar sells a probe that will work for it, but have no intentions of getting one. The only value I see in the probe is letting you know when your cat has stalled - this likely occurs only when trying to burn too low or at the end of the burn cycle.

 

Some of us are data geeks.

 

I don't need 2 pro level chainsaws, a 27 ton splitter, a 5 ton splitter in my den, or a trailer either. Need doesn't really fall into the equation here. They should sell one because we want one.

 

I'd have to push the probe back in every day or so before I put the magnet on it. The probe is 4" long and adding the magnet didn't affect it's reading at all.

The probe helps me with activating the cat on start ups and reloads. I like knowing exactly what's going on, just like having gauges on my diesel for towing.

 

Hard to argue with that point! Carry on IS geek squad.

 

We put our 250 down today for a ideal steel, we were considering forest green door and sides on a black stove with copper color handles. Pretty existed but don't like the steal of the month.