Hi
I have a gas fire stove,Gazco Clarendon,enclosed coal effect thing.On many numerous occasions since installed(ten years)the pilot light has gone out and if I can re-light it by the manual controls fine, but if not the front door has to be taken off and the 'coals' area hoovered and away it goes again.The problem seems to be wind blowing the powder, small particles from the burnt imitation coals into the gas vents.
The first of my problems is that the two of spuds for receiving the nuts holding the door on come out from the stove slightly off centre with the result that I cannot always get the 1/2 ins spanner socket on because the side of rebate in the door is in the way,it that makes sense and as the nuts are tightened, the door is pulling 'off' and it is tricky to get all four nuts equally tightened.Today my worst fears came to pass,the nut went on crooked and I rimmed one of the screws.I am now buggered with that but the other three are tight,so although not perfect is not the end of the world.
However,the installation was beset with less than efficient and cowboy like issues and I have often wondered,aside from the bad winds recently, should the pilot light have been blowing out so often over the years and is it possible that the flue was installed at an incorrect angle.The damage being done now to the nut/spud thread,and the pilot light continuing to go out,I am seeing more and more occasions and grief where the door will have to be taken off to fix the light and maybe more thread issues and am thinking new stove/new installer.
Has anyone any recommendations for stoves.I am wondering should I go gas again,if so what make; or solid fuel.I'd definitely go for a smaller gas one if that was the wise choice.The present one was bought as a compromise between the waste of an open fire on one hand and the homely effect on the other but it is overkill for the room(21ft x 14ft with two double rads), and secondly although more efficient than the imitation coal in the fireplace/heat up the chimney version, it is pricey to run,but I see a lot of positive reviews on sold fuel.I would appreciate all thought and suggestions.Thank you