$2 dollar tool to clean airholes on eclassic2300

[ecrane99]

An idea for elcassic owners:

Drill a hole through a broomstick or metal pipe and put a bolt through it.   
Very simple, but effective.   A pointy bolt would be even better.

I also have a broomstick with the bolt facing forward (use a hose clamp) to clear the back 2 holes (not shown).

[Dean186]

I like your idea ecrane.  The holes on the 1400 are slotted, but the bolt could be worked up and down. 

The weld that holds the small square plate to the long rod broke on the new tool that Central Boiler provided to us. So I now have a long rod for poking out the holes in the back of the firebox.  I really liked that tool and hoping to get another one.

[stumper]

I like the concept.  I think I'll try a combination lag screw/bolt used in furniture making.  I will try to find a double ended lag bolt to poke out the holes in back. 

[doctorb]

I use a six foot long metal rod, with a diameter about what I think your bolt is, that's bent at 90 degrees at one end, with about 4" on the short end.  I use that end as a handle when poking through the holes at the back (using the long straight end of the rod), and flip it around to insert the short bent end in the holes on the sides.  Basically, we have created the same idea through necessity.

I thought that the new "tools" that CB sent us would perform this task, but they do not.

[ecrane99]

This season I am burning a free load of Pine I got from a friend.  Pine requires a bit more attention and cleaning vs the hardwood.
That is what got me thinking of a better way to clean the airholes vs putting my arms in there.
Thanks for the comments.  Ed

[KMAN]

I took several pieces of 1/2 rebar and welded them together and then bent a L shape on the one end that is about 6 inches long. I then ground a point on the L end so if the hole is clogged some it will egg it out the rest of the way. I then use that for the side holes and when i do the back holes just switch it around and use the other end that is straight. It works amazing to clean the holes out. I too was disappointed that a better tool was not provided to clean the holes out. I also have another tool to feed in the front air hole and push it the whole back to the last hole. That is also amazing how that works when the hole gets clogged this will clean out behind the wall. That tool is a flexiable shaft from the inside of a weedeater shaft. If you have a Eclassic get a flexiable shaft from a trimmer and you will be amazed how much junk you can push out from behind the firebox. I fix mowers and trimmers so that shaft is easy for me to come across. hope that helps anybody out there.KMAN

[ral]

I screwed in a long screw in the end of an old broom handle to clear holes in back, been working well but probably not as durable as the bolt.

[Flyer]

Great Idea!  I've been using and old fireplace poker to clean out the holes.  Not as long of a handle though.  It can get a little toasty!!  I've got to be quick!

Flyer

[Tim Crowley]

I just use a ski pole.  Works great.