Your stove rope serves as an integral purpose on your stove. It is best to know how to identify stove rope degradation, when to replace degrading stove rope, and how to go about having your stove rope replaced will ensure your wood burner can continue to burn efficiently and safely.
What is a stove rope?
Your fireplace stove contains a stove rope, which is also known as a fire rope, that is on the inside of the stove door. The rope is an essential part of your appliance as it creates an airtight seal that simultaneously prevents unwanted air from entering your appliance and keeps the warmed air in your appliance. When your appliance has too much air intake, it will cause your fire to burn excessively and will drastically increase the fuel you burn through and can potentially cause over-firing. Keeping warm air in your stove allows more heat to radiate for loner, increasing the overall heat output.
Your units stove rope looks as you would expect, resembling a woven rope that is usually composed of heat-resistant glass fibers. This rope is cut down to size from a longer length so it can perfectly fit your appliance. The fire rope is one of your stoves consumables components – a material that will degrade over time and need replacement.
Equipment Needed to Replace Stove Rope
The following equipment is required when replacing your stove rope:
- Stove Rope – this is your new stove rope that will be replacing your degraded one.
- Wire Brush – a wire brush (or another suitable scouring tool) is used to clear debris and any remaining fibers from your stove door.
- Gloves – as the fibers on the stove can irritate the skin, gloves are needed to protect your hands during replacement and debris clearing.
- High-temperature Rope Adhesive – a special type of adhesive is required to adhere rope to your stove door securely – this adhesive will keep the rope in place while withstanding the high temperatures of your fire.
- Scissors – sharp scissors to achieve a clean cut as possible will ensure minimal fraying.
- End Sealing Tape – temperature resistant tape covers any potentially frayed ends from your stove rope as it is cut to size.
- Eye Protection – eye protection is important if you are using a drill with a wire brush head to remove debris.
Necessary Checks
Your fireplace must be fully cooled down before the technician attempts to replace the stove door rope – as with any other servicing and maintenance.
While it may not always be feasible, it is advised to remove your stoves door when replacing your stove rope – this can make the job much easier and eliminate the possibility of adhesive running down the door.
Removing the stove glass can also aid in fitting a new stove rope and some appliances may require this, but it is not always necessary. If you choose not to remove the glass, it is extremely important that you lay your stove door on a flat, soft surface so that you don’t damage – potentially shatter – the glass.
How a Professional Technician Should Replace Your Stove Rope
- When your stove is cooled, they will then remove the door (and glass, if applicable) where possible.
- Remove the old stove rope. The way your stove rope is affixed to the door will vary depending on your appliance – some can be pulled off by hand, whereas some may be fixed with screws, requiring the stove glass to be removed.
- Use a wire brush (or another suitable scouring tool, such as a drill with a wire brush wheel head) to thoroughly remove all leftover debris and fibers from the indentation.
- Using new rope, the technician has to measure out the length needed to cover the perimeter of the door, using scissors to cut a length slightly longer than needed.
- They will now evenly apply the rope adhesive to the indentation in your stove door, lining the entire perimeter.
- Starting with the center of the rope in the middle of the indentation, set the stove rope into the glue-lined indentation. Carefully apply pressure as you set down the rope, firmly affixing it to the glue whilst taking care not to stretch the rope.
- Once the rope has spanned the stove door, there will be a small length of excess rope. Use scissors to cut off this excess, wrapping the end of the rope with your end sealing tape to prevent any fraying. Fit this final length of rope to your stove door, closing the perimeter.
- Apply pressure across the entire rope seal again to confirm your rope is securely in place, using a damp cloth to wipe away any excess glue that has seeped out.
- Refit your stove door (and glass, if applicable) once the drying time of your adhesive has elapsed.
- Check your stoves manufacturer’s instructions to find when you can next light your fire – do not light your fire until it is safe to do so.
How Can I Tell If My Stove Rope Needs Replacing?
We advise you to replace your stove rope annually but may need replacement at irregular intervals depending on your burning habits and appliance specifications.
Telltale Signs
- Your fire is burning much hotter or quicker than expected
- The stove glass on your appliance is constantly dirtied
Visual Clues
- Frayed or deteriorated stove rope
- Stove rope is compressed and no longer fills the groove in the stove door
A degrading stove rope causes excessive air to enter your appliance. Signs that your appliance has excessive airflow can be a sign of stove rope degradation and warrants a visual inspection of the rope.
If you neglect your rope seal, it will result in lower fuel efficiency and can potentially damage your appliance as your stove over-fires. Taking care of all the components of your wood burner will provide you with a safe, efficient burn.
The Door Seal Paper Test
A simple test you can do to instantly see if your stove rope needs replacing is known as the paper test:
- Wait for your stove to fully cool.
- Open the door and hold a piece of paper at the entrance, closing the door and trapping the paper in it.
- Attempt to pull the paper out of the closed door, noting any resistance you feel.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 across all sides of the stove door.
If you feel minimal or no resistance, this is a sign that your stove rope has deteriorated and needs replacing. There should be resistance around all sides of the stove door as you try to pull the paper out.
What Size Stove Rope Do I Need?
Different appliances will have various stove rope requirements. The size of indentation in the appliance door will mean that some rope diameters will be too large or too small, causing issues if the incorrect size if fitted.
Additional Tips:
- Use old sheets or towels as the surface for your stove door to lay on as you replace the stove rope. This will both contain the mess of any residual debris that collects as you clean, as well as protecting the stove glass if you do not remove it.
- Close your stove door carefully once the adhesive has set and been refit. If you feel resistance when trying to close the stove door, do not attempt to close the door any further. It is likely that a section of your rope seal has bulged out and needs to be pushed further into the indentation.
- Fixing degrading stove rope can often be more difficult than replacing the entire rope.
- Your rope seal functions by creating an airtight seal so it is essential that you leave no gaps within the indentation, forming a closed perimeter around your stove door.
- Different adhesives have different setting times – consult your manufacturer’s instructions to ensure your adhesive has sufficient time to set before you refit your stove door and light a fire.
- If you access to a combination drill and wire brush wheel head, these can also be used to clean out debris. Eye protection is essential when using this method of cleaning as dust and debris can be expelled towards your face.
- Each stove is different. Some appliances will have less defined indentations, making it difficult to ascertain where to fit your new stove rope. The manufacturer’s instructions will contain detailed guidance on how – and where – to fit a new stove rope.
- Asking a professional technician, who specializes in servicing and maintaining your wood-burning stove, to replace your stove rope sealing during your bi-annual sweep or annual service ensures your stove is kept in top shape year-round.
