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[James]

Thanks Jim, Glad you got that off your chest.

I'm tempted to think that's a sarcastic response, Richard.  I intended to be very complementary to you.

[James]

I'm tempted to think that's a sarcastic response, Richard.  I intended to be very complementary to you.

Your response didn't read like it was very complimentary toward Richard.

Your comment directed toward me was taken as sarcasm. However, if there is ever anything I can do to help, please, feel free to shoot me a pm.

At the expense of sounding defensive, I thought I said that Richard has helped solve my problems all along.  If it didn't come off that way, that was my mistake.  But I continue to have problems with a stove that is otherwise described as trouble free.

You yourself have described this as a "throw and go" stove, have you not?  If you took offense to my characterization, I apologize - but I have been and continue to be frustrated with claims that this stove is easy to operate.  That has not been my experience.

Perhaps I'll just go back to lurking, reading and shaking my head...

[martyinmi]

James,
I re-read my comment, and in hindsight, I shouldn't have even commented. I probably came across as being offensive. My apologies.
 
I, nor any of the folks in this area have any issues with our units, other than updating door gaskets and replacing nozzles. Both are wear items, and we knew that going into our purchases. We all have about an eighth inch of creosote in the bottom of our airboxes, but it doesn't appear to be getting any worse, so we don't even bother to clean it out. The firebricks broke on our secondary burn chambers right away, but a call into Rory @ P&M netted us all with new shields to replace them, as well as new rear covers for the air boxes(two of us have not replaced ours yet). We do go against what P&M says where our nozzles are concerned. We do poke them out(with the opposite end of our hoes that came with the unit) every time we load, knowing that we could potentially chip fragments out of them. These units are no different than any other gasser out there, in that they do not function to their potential with plugged/partially plugged nozzles.

I've not been in your shoes, so there's no possible way I can understand the frustrations you are experiencing. I owned an Empyre Pro Series 100 before I bought my 250, so the learning curve for me was not as steep as yours. My experience also helped the others in this area.

I always reply to any pm's sent to me, James. I've probably even talked(phone calls) to a dozen or so 250 owners, a few CB gasser owners, and even a GT-220 owner.

You got me thinking now, have you and I ever talked?

[slimjim]

Jim, at this time I think you and I should take a bit of time to reflect, I have spoken with Brian and he will be contacting you, more than likely tomorrow, I sincerely hope the two of you can come to some sort of compromise as I feel that I have done all that I can for you at this time.

[Bill G]

Hey Amer-Pace.,
      My third winter heating with Opt 250.
      May I strongly recommend going with a conventional, non gasser! 
      These 250's are maintenance intensive.  Mine must be cleaned thoroughly every 7 to 10 days.  It rarely if ever runs smoke free!  For a very brief few hours, maybe after cleaning. 
      I, too, have problems with the airbox creosoting up.  I grin and bear it while cleaning it up every so often.
      Yes, the door gasket does leak slightly, but thats a recent event I can live with after 2 plus burning seasons.  Will correct shortly.
      Mine is the "first" generation of 250's.  The floor nozzle is cratered big time and needs fix.  In spring I will buy one of KarlK's home grown nozzles and cut it in.  Can't be a fun job ahead. 
      I have tried 1" fire brick a top of blown out nozzle, lasted 1 week. 
      My idea of a "thorough cleaning" usually takes a bit better than 1 hour.  Usually includes a skinned knuckle or 2 cleaning the verticle tubes in back.  (think they rectified that in latter designs)
      I'd be willing to drive my furnace to the factory, (from Penna.!) if the company would trade me, even up, on a non gasser???
      Portage and Mane does do exceptional work, quality wise.  The design of gasser's, maybe not so great.
      Being honest, the 250 gets 2 1/2 STARS out of 5.  It indeed makes heat, but, the cleanings are painful. 
     
      Bill
     

[slimjim]

You are right in that the early 250's like yours and coolidges are a bit of a pita to clean but the newer versions with the upgrades are a huge improvement, speak with coolidge about what he did on his own, it seems to work for him, and thanks again for the trip to James's place Coolidge.

[James]

Thanks for chiming in Bill G.  Turns out maybe I'm not crazy after all.

Yes, Slim, I really appreciate Coolidge's visit too.

[slimjim]

Yours is not as old as Coolidges. Your heat exchanger is much easier to clean.

[Sloppy_Snood]

Yours is not as old as Coolidges. Your heat exchanger is much easier to clean.

But not as easy as a 180° reverse trough heat exchanger (a la Ultimizer style). 

[randy_1]

Keep bragging sloop ,,, some of us have to run cert 2 ....

[Sloppy_Snood]

Keep bragging sloop ,,, some of us have to run cert 2 ....

Blame CountryBoyJohn..... he helped me switch my mind to the Ultimizer with the ">350,000 BTU/hr Indiana Escape Clause."   

Just ribbin' ya Randy. 

[CountryBoyJohn]

You're welcome!   

[randy_1]

I'm just jealous I admit it ,,,,,,

[Sloppy_Snood]

You're welcome! 

[James]

Yours is not as old as Coolidges. Your heat exchanger is much easier to clean.

Have you ever heard me complain about cleaning the heat exchanger? If that's what you think my beefs are about, you've completely missed the point.