New Ash Auger

[mddorogi]

I talked with Claude LaPointe today as I ordered a replacement center ash auger, since mine has worn down to almost nothing in about three years of burning.

The new auger is $59 + shipping. A little more expensive than I expected. So be it.

I asked him what the expected lifetime of this center auger is. He said that it would last 5-6 years if the ash bed is maintained at least 2" above the bottom of the burn pot, and he said he's seen them destroyed after as little as 3 months if the coals are allowed to always burn right on the augers.

So, mine is in the middle of the expected range. Not surprising.

I am trying now to be more diligent in keeping the ash bed in about the middle of the pot, especially on lower burn levels when the ash bed tends to be a lot lower. I suspect, ironically, that this is when the most auger damage occurs.

He noted that burning on level 5 probably takes a lot of attention. I'd agree, I haven't burned much on 5 at all, and you probably have a narrower range of operation to keep the pot from overflowing.

He said they're working on a retrofit so older stoves can use the new burn pot. No promises, I gather. He said that the older Europa burn pot (like mine) has 20 holes, whereas for corn there should be 24 holes, for pellets 16 holes. But, with the 20 levels for combustion air, their should be enough adjustment range to cover most conditions of venting, fuel moisture, etc.

Also it was a rough sales year in 2009. Pellet prices were too high and so that cut into business.
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Mark
Dell Point Europa