posted on October 19, 2003 09:37:38 AM new
OK, I know this will sound weird, but I am really open to suggestions. I live in a house built in 1936. In my living room, there is a neat old ornate gas heater with lava rocks. I have used it almost daily in winter time for the last 10 years with absolutely no problem.
I lit it this morning, no problem. After about 5 minutes, It started to STINK and SMOKE! I turned it off think the kids may have poked something down in it. We took out all the rocks and found nothing. We vaccumed the whole thing out and put the rocks back in. We then lit it up again and the small was as bad or worse.
It smells like those plastic strings of christmas tree beads ( which small like cat pee to me). Does anyone know how to clean these lava rocks?? Any suggestion would be MUCH appreciated!! Thanks!!!
[ edited by imabride2b on Oct 19, 2003 09:38 AM ]
posted on October 19, 2003 10:16:51 AM new
Hello imabride2b - Haven't you been married for a couple of years??
If it were me, I'd be sure the family was out of the house. Open up all the windows and doors and re-light the lava rocks. Let them burn off whatever has 'attached' itself to them. Mostly likely within 10 - 15 minutes or so it will be gone. Continue airing the house out and all should be well. Won't hurt to try anyway.
posted on October 19, 2003 10:26:13 AM new
I think Linda has a good suggestion. Perhaps something accidentally got spilled on them (you know kids).
I just read that you can cover them with heavy aluminum foil and turn the heat to max. That was suggested for lava rocks in a grill. Could be the same for your use. They may just be dirty (dust and all that). They also suggest you replace them.
Cheryl He has his own throne (Revelation 13:2) and his own worshipers (Revelation 13:4).
posted on October 19, 2003 11:56:42 AM new
Put the lava rocks in a BIG pan and pour boiling, heavily salted water over them and let them sit until it cools down. That should clean them up!
posted on October 19, 2003 01:12:20 PM new
Hi, kraftdinner! Off subject, but I've been extremely busy being politcally active lately and haven't really visited this board much. Hopefully, now that fall is here things will slow down a bit. I'm afraid I've bitten off more than I can chew volunteer-wise!
imabride2b
If you try kraft's suggestion, let me know if it works. We use lava rocks in our grill and if soaking them works, I'd rather do that than just try to burn the stuff off.
Cheryl He has his own throne (Revelation 13:2) and his own worshipers (Revelation 13:4).
posted on October 19, 2003 02:35:47 PM new
No, they aren't made of gold, but I doubt I could find any more like them. I would love to be able to go to home depot and buy new ones. The only thing in my way is that the nearest one is 3 hours away. Also, this in an antique heater and these bricks are original to the heater with a stamped design on each one that matches the detail work on the finals They are all the same size, and fit in the front slot to fill it in as well as the top. They aren't just regular pourus lava rocks that you buy by the bag to go in a grill etc. . I guess that's just one of the little annoyances that go with an old house, but I guess it's worth those little aggravations once in a while.
Thanks all for the suggestions Linda, Cheryl, Kraft!!! I'm working on it now.
PS, Linda_K I have been married a couple of years you have a good memory!!!, 2 in August. It was funny, my husband & I started our business and named it "imabride2b" before we even planned to get married. We started up in April, got married in August and had a baby in Feb. It was a busy year!!!
