Rayburn Supreme MF grate bars

[laurence4fun]

 
Hi, please help, I am going slowly insane!!
I have recently aquired a Rayburn Supreme MF which had previously been converted to run on oil.
I have stripped out all of the oil burner apparatus, and am now sourcing the parts to convert it back to a solid fuel burning model.
I am getting totally perplexed when it comes to the grate bars. All the suppliers tell me that I need a full set of bars, comprising 5 lower and 6 top bars.
The lower bars I am happy with. I have studied the technical info on the Rayburn site, and can easily see how they fit.
Not so with the top grate bars. There is absolutey no mention of a top grate in Rayburn's technical info, and I cannot see by inspecting the inside of the firebox, where and how, such a grate is positioned.
The mystery is further compounded by Rayburn referring to a 'bottom grate' in int's info, which surely infers that there must be a 'top grate'?
If anyone can assist with this nightmare, I would greatly value their assistance.
Failing that, I'm calling the Samaritans!!
Laurence

[camillitech]

Hi Laurence and welcome,

probably not a grate  deal of use to you. I have a quite a bit of Rayburn experience but it's been mainly confined to very old ones and they only had one single grate. The only one I've come across with bars I'm sure had only one set in it  that was a 1989 ish solid fuel one belonging to my parents.

Good luck, Paul

[laurence4fun]

Thanks for that Paul, and also your kind welcome.
The rayburn Supreme was manufactured between 1982 - 1992, so it could well have been the model you remember. I have read on other forums, that if you burn wood only, it is not necessary to have an upper grate, and only the bottom grate is used, but there is no mention of this on the Rayburn site.
I would like to know where to stick those top grate bars though!!

[camillitech]

Hi Laurence,

that would sound right as my parents only ever burned wood until they converted it to oil some years ago  

Good luck, Paul

edit, just phoned up me mammy who never throws anything away and she's still got the original handbook  When I visit next week I'll have a look.

[laurence4fun]

Hi Paul,
That would be fantastic!
Many thanks for your efforts
Laurence

[Justme]

This LINK shows the top (6 per set) & bottom (5 per set) bars for the Rayburn supreme/Nouvelle/355M.

Or the Rayburm MF that has 4 top & 3 bottom bars.

[laurence4fun]

Thanks for that 'Justme'.
Unfortunately, the link you posted is exactly the reason for my confused state of mind!!
The site clearly lists 5 bottom grate bars and 6 top grate bars, as do many other sites supplying Rayburn spares
However, as I have explained, none of the Rayburn literature make any reference at all to the existance of a top grate, and the inside of the firebox contains absolutely no fixings that may support one!
I have spoken to a couple of suppliers of grate bars, and neither were able to explain this apparent ambiguity.
The confusion continues!!

[camillitech]

I'm only guessing L4fun but I'd say that they both went into the same gate frame assembly with one sitting inside the other depending on the fuel used. Probably one lot with the hook to the front and one with the hook to the back 

Just a thought.

[laurence4fun]

I think you are onto something there camillitech.
Just counted the spaces on the two supporting bars, and they would support all 11 bars, with all 'hooks' to the front.  I think you've cracked it.
Many thanks.

[Justme]

Just remember that when burning wood you want an almost sealed base for the ash to sit on so will need both upper & lower bars.

[laurence4fun]

So easy on the riddling then!!
Thanks for the advice,
Laurence

[Baz]

Got me intrigued though I don't have a Rayburn. Is the top grate fitted at the same time as the bottom for two layers if fire? Is it a summer / winter setting? Phot please when you have assembled it.

[Justme]

So easy on the riddling then!!

Very easy on the riddling. We give our Rayburn 212sfw that is fitted with the wood burning plate a gentle shake in the morning before lighting. Running on pure wood it gets the ash collector emptied about once every month or two.

The top & bottom bars are fitted into one level assembly. You need both sets & it is nothing to do with any seasonal settings. Its all about the riddling. If I remember right one set moves & the other is stationary.

[laurence4fun]

I'm only planning to burn wood, so I note your comments. One piece of advice that I have picked up though, is to not let the ash in the ashpan build up too high, as this can cause burning out of the grate bars. At £140.00 a set, I don't want to go there!
I have had experience of this with our existing open fire.

[Justme]

At our last house we used to run a Rayburn on solid fuel. That used to go through a riddle wheel every 6 months or so. When we changed it to wood we stopped having to change them. Our Aga little wenlock is 3 years old & has never had a a griddle change (again with the wood adapter fitted).