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[Cold in Vt]

I'm about ready to purchase an e-classic 1400 and I'm wondering for those who own one do they meet your expectaions

[Roger2561]

I'm about ready to purchase an e-classic 1400 and I'm wondering for those who own one do they meet your expectaions

Hi Cold in VT.  Welcome to the site from your next door neighbors in NH..  You'll find many knowledgeable people on this site who are not afraid to share it with people.

As for your question - I too own an E-Classic 1400.  I couldn't be happier with it.  Granted I've experienced a few hiccups but it's a learning curve for me.  Perhaps you have seen my posting about nearly losing the fire this morning.  That was my own doings.  I stacked the firewood too tight and the fire didn't have room to move around and engulf other pieces.  Like I said, it's a learning.  But, as cold as it was today, when I arrived home at 5:00pm from work, the house was a nice toasty warm.  The plus to this is the oil furnace was not running all the heat was being provided by the E-Classic 1400. 

[johnybcold]

I am in ma and fired up my E1400 I few weeks ago , my home is about 3200 sgft it has not been too cold yet but my house has been warm. 

[Bull]

Welcome to the site Cold

[Jack72]

Hello welcome
If your going to buy I suggest the 1450 over the 1400


I have a e 1450 it has a couple of nice features that they have added it basically the same as the 2400 but smaller           what the difference is from the 1400 the back door to access the reaction chamber is a hinged door that just swings open no panels to remove     also the firebox has the charge tube    and primary air holes in each corner   the panel has a bypass door alarm so when your door is open it will alarm just to remind you so you dont accidently walk away and leave in the bypass.          They are  not much higher in price maybe 300 bucks I think over the 1450 not much for what they have added I think.    I have a water to heat exchanger in my forced air system eventuallyI would like to add  pex under floors when the money tree starts growing again                  I built  in 2003          2400 ranch on a 4 ft crawl it heats my house no problem.         

sorry Im a little late with my post just saw it maybe you have it already


Good luck on purchase          Jack

[Cold in Vt]

Thanks for the info Jack. I have been trying to get info about the e 1450 but the dealer said he did not have any yet.

[Roger2561]

Hello welcome
If your going to buy I suggest the 1450 over the 1400


I have a e 1450 it has a couple of nice features that they have added it basically the same as the 2400 but smaller           what the difference is from the 1400 the back door to assess the reaction chamber is a hinged door that just swings open no panels to remove     also the firebox has the charge tube    and primary air holes in each corner   the panel has a bypass door alarm so when your door is open it will alarm just to remind you so you dont accidently walk away and leave in the bypass.          They are  not much higher in price maybe 300 bucks I think over the 1450 not much for what they have added I think.    I have a water to heat exchanger in my forced air system eventuallyI would like to add  pex under floors when the money tree starts growing again                  I built  in 2003          2400 ranch on a 4 ft crawl it heats my house no problem.         

sorry Im a little late with my post just saw it maybe you have it already


Good luck on purchase          Jack

Hi Jack72,  Everytime I have to gain access to the reaction chamber and need to remove the outer panel before getting to the inner door, I have made a mental note to myself to hinge that thing this summer.  Although it's a minor inconvenience to remove the out panel, it's still a pain in the keaster.  The alarm on your e1450 is the same as I have on my e1400.  It's a great reminder to self that the dang by-pass door is open. 

I have a couple of concerns though about the e1400 and perhaps CB has rectified them on the e1450 and if they did, what did they do to it?  No matter how hard I try I can not keep creosote from building in the air holes.  What I have been doing for the past couple of weeks, every Saturday morning I clear the firebox of any unburned pieces, any ash and the red hot coals go into a metal wheel barrow to use to rekindle the fire when I'm done servicing the OWB.  I have sacrificed a screwdriver, bent it nearly to 90 degree so I can poke the holes to remove the creosote build up.  I have to pay close attention to the holes at the far end of the firebox.  For some reason, the creosote gathers for more quicker than any of the other holes.

In the rear of the OWB, where the blower is located, you'll find a removal panel that houses the solenoids that open and close the traps that controls the air flow to the firebox.  I decided yesterday to inspect them while I was servicing it and the larger of the 2 was about 1/2 full of creosote.  Don't ask me how it got there but I took the time to clean it out.  Do you happen to know if CB makes a tool to clear the air holes inside the firebox of creosote?  I don't mind doing what I have to do to make this thing work as efficiently as possible but you have to hold you breath while you have your head inside the fire box.   Thanks, Roger

[Jack72]

Thanks for the info Jack. I have been trying to get info about the e 1450 but the dealer said he did not have any yet.

My dealer had a 1400 sitting in his yard he wanted me to buy it because I dont think they are going to make the 1400 any more once they stop the classics in March  I told him I wanted the 1450 with the improvements they had made from the 1400  so he ordered it I had it in week and half at my front door                   Also I forgot to mention My reaction chamber is in the back access door not on the side like I think the 1400 is ( I could be wrong on that maybe Roger can tell us )          I think they are going to make the 1450 2400 3200      I could be wrong but thats what I heard            Jack

[Jack72]

Hello welcome
If your going to buy I suggest the 1450 over the 1400


I have a e 1450 it has a couple of nice features that they have added it basically the same as the 2400 but smaller           what the difference is from the 1400 the back door to assess the reaction chamber is a hinged door that just swings open no panels to remove     also the firebox has the charge tube    and primary air holes in each corner   the panel has a bypass door alarm so when your door is open it will alarm just to remind you so you dont accidently walk away and leave in the bypass.          They are  not much higher in price maybe 300 bucks I think over the 1450 not much for what they have added I think.    I have a water to heat exchanger in my forced air system eventuallyI would like to add  pex under floors when the money tree starts growing again                  I built  in 2003          2400 ranch on a 4 ft crawl it heats my house no problem.         

sorry Im a little late with my post just saw it maybe you have it already


Good luck on purchase          Jack

Hi Jack72,  Everytime I have to gain access to the reaction chamber and need to remove the outer panel before getting to the inner door, I have made a mental note to myself to hinge that thing this summer.  Although it's a minor inconvenience to remove the out panel, it's still a pain in the keaster.  The alarm on your e1450 is the same as I have on my e1400.  It's a great reminder to self that the dang by-pass door is open. 

I have a couple of concerns though about the e1400 and perhaps CB has rectified them on the e1450 and if they did, what did they do to it?  No matter how hard I try I can not keep creosote from building in the air holes.  What I have been doing for the past couple of weeks, every Saturday morning I clear the firebox of any unburned pieces, any ash and the red hot coals go into a metal wheel barrow to use to rekindle the fire when I'm done servicing the OWB.  I have sacrificed a screwdriver, bent it nearly to 90 degree so I can poke the holes to remove the creosote build up.  I have to pay close attention to the holes at the far end of the firebox.  For some reason, the creosote gathers for more quicker than any of the other holes.

In the rear of the OWB, where the blower is located, you'll find a removal panel that houses the solenoids that open and close the traps that controls the air flow to the firebox.  I decided yesterday to inspect them while I was servicing it and the larger of the 2 was about 1/2 full of creosote.  Don't ask me how it got there but I took the time to clean it out.  Do you happen to know if CB makes a tool to clear the air holes inside the firebox of creosote?  I don't mind doing what I have to do to make this thing work as efficiently as possible but you have to hold you breath while you have your head inside the fire box.   Thanks, Roger

Hey Roger

I dont know about the tool for the air chambers/ traps    I need to check mine too.          as far as the the cresote in the air holes I have a little bit in there and I have also a bent screw driver going on too   (thats for the sides and back)        In the corners which I dont think you have but they are removeable I knock them out with a hammer and clean with a wire brush          I may have one quicker step though once I loosen it all up   I have a ash vac that I have for the fire place in the house   I use that now to suck each hole out and then I dont have to stick my head in there as much           I know what you mean you have to hold your breath.        They have never been completly plugged maybe the most quarter full    What type of wood are you burner and are you fairly dry on your moisture??               

Jack

[Roger2561]

Jack, The reaction chamber removable door is on the side on the e1400.  I'm glad to know that creosote buildup is not just a problem I have but others' do too.  All of the air hole chambers are welded in place on my e1400.  I wish I had the removable panel like you do.  This summer I'm going to consult some engineers that work in my building and see what they can come up with to make clearing the holes a bit easier.  One of the ideas I came up with was to use a small wire brush on a flexible shaft that can be operated by a battery powered drill to clean the holes.  But, trying to find a flexible shaft that can make the 90 degree turn to clear the holes is a problem. 

The firewood is not of the best quality.  It was outside tossed in a pile, not stacked and not covered so it got wet.  So, most of the creosote is from  my own stupidity.  Next burn season will be better for it will be under cover and I will set it up so that the air flow is unimpeded to keep the wood dry but at the same time keep it safe from the elements.  Air flow is the best thing I can do to help dry the fire wood.  Roger   

[Roger2561]

Does anyone know if CB makes an upgrade kit;  i.e. the removable panel in the back of the firebox to make it easier to clean those holes?  If not, I'll call my dealer soon to see what he has to offer. 

Other than these couple of minor problems, the e-classic 1400 is operating great and heating the 2400 sq ft with ease.  I keep my temps at when home at 68 degrees.  At night I let it fall to 65 degrees (I don't like it too hot for sleeping.   Anything warmer than 65 degrees is too hot for me to sleep) and while I'm at work the house cools to 62 degrees.  But, by the time I get home from work, the digital programmable thermostats bring the house up to 68 degrees so the house is warm when I get home.

Roger