M55 Cleaning- I never knew

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

jrogers999

Member
Oct 9, 2011
125
Billerica Ma
Ok as I said in a previous post on how my stove had black smoke from the exhaust. Also the glass was getting black a little faster.

I just cleaned a couple of things I never knew anything about or how to before. On a weekly basis I would just clean the normal stuff; burn pot, glass, behind firebox wall, tubes. So after hearing from a couple of members on here and doing so googling I opened up the combustion blower, cleaned the combustion fan,and chamber. It was so full of crap, alot of crap. What a difference stove is operating awesome. Its even quieter. The start-up was also a lot quieter. I cleaned the exhaust piping. I didn't have any real cleaning brushes so i brainstormed and took my telescoping snow brush and it worked like a charm. Being a noob and on my second season I had no idea. I had a service guy over during the summer and he did the lead blower thing. I guess you just need to get in there to get everything.

So for any other noobs out there. Hope this helps you out too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eatonpcat
Did it take care of the smoke issue?
 
thanks for the tip. I have the M55 FS and although the stove is new (just over 1 month old) I will have to do that occasionally.
 
You just remove the left back panel and you'll see it.
 
Nice job.

I never do just the leaf blower. I always do a full cleaning of the stove and brushing of the pipes. Leaf blowers is just a finishing touch to be sure you got all the crud out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: heat seeker
Glad you found your problem. Just remember who it was that first said the problem was a dirty stove. ;)

As forum member Krooser always has said, "80% of all stove problems are due to a dirty stove".
 
Nice job.

I never do just the leaf blower. I always do a full cleaning of the stove and brushing of the pipes. Leaf blowers is just a finishing touch to be sure you got all the crud out.

Thanks again.
 
Glad you found your problem. Just remember who it was that first said the problem was a dirty stove. ;)

As forum member Krooser always has said, "80% of all stove problems are due to a dirty stove".


It was you. Thanks again.
 
Don't know if its the pellets, but I clean my blower once a year after about 3 tons have gone thru it and there is not much in that chamber or on the blades. It looks more like a dusting of soot than real buildup. But I have the cast insert and I think the chamber is different from the FS.
 
I burned 7 tons last year. I'm a little over 2 now. Those chitty cool weather pellets (new england)I burned in October were dirty.

Now I'm on my spruce and barefoots.
 
Don't know if its the pellets, but I clean my blower once a year after about 3 tons have gone thru it and there is not much in that chamber or on the blades. It looks more like a dusting of soot than real buildup. But I have the cast insert and I think the chamber is different from the FS.

Same here...Not much dirt in either of the blowers after 5 ton last year! I will probably yank them out and clean them again sometime this month. To the OP...Glad you got her back up and running properly!
 
2nd year with the M55FS. Over the summer I cleaned the combustion blower and tried to take out the convection blower but had trouble maneuvering it out of the unit. Is there a trick to it? I ended up just hitting it with some compresser air and it wasn't too dusty anyway, but I've been re-considering having the discussion of the turbo blower with the dealer so I'm thinking I'm going to need to be able to take this thing out sometime soon.
 
Don't know on the FS as i have an insert...But on the inserrt it is very easy to remove. There is most likely a how to video on youtube!
 
Jrogers and all M55/GCI60 guys- have had many issues with dirty POF switches (proof of fire) on M55 stoves. Ones that were not cleaned during yearly cleanings..... Some stoves more particular than others but everyone should clean the POF switch in exhaust path if your stove has it. The switch is just forward of the exh blower for M55 and GCI60. For Enviro EF2/3 folks there is also a switch in exh path to let ignitor shut off as well as the POF that shuts down the blowers after cooldown. Everyone stay warm. On the M55 and GCI60, a flashing #3 can be the POF dirty or faulty.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood (burning presently)
 
  • Like
Reactions: whlago
You might be right Eatonpcat, quick google search shows some positive results. Unfortunately "The Man" doesn't allow Youtube viewing here at work so it'll have to wait.
 
Jrogers and all M55/GCI60 guys- have had many issues with dirty POF switches (proof of fire) on M55 stoves. Ones that were not cleaned during yearly cleanings..... Some stoves more particular than others but everyone should clean the POF switch in exhaust path if your stove has it. The switch is just forward of the exh blower for M55 and GCI60. For Enviro EF2/3 folks there is also a switch in exh path to let ignitor shut off as well as the POF that shuts down the blowers after cooldown. Everyone stay warm. On the M55 and GCI60, a flashing #3 can be the POF dirty or faulty.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood (burning presently)


I had blinking #3 at the end of last year. The service guy cleaned it for me. I just cleaned it again when I had the side open for cleaning.
 
Unfortunately I thought I was in the clear. I still have some black smoke coming out the exhaust. I even opened up the slider to let some more air in since its colder now. Didn't help much. Ran out of ideas made a service appointment. It's not for a couple of weeks.
 
2nd year with the M55FS. Over the summer I cleaned the combustion blower and tried to take out the convection blower but had trouble maneuvering it out of the unit. Is there a trick to it? I ended up just hitting it with some compresser air and it wasn't too dusty anyway, but I've been re-considering having the discussion of the turbo blower with the dealer so I'm thinking I'm going to need to be able to take this thing out sometime soon.


I put in the turbo last year. You have to remove the 2 cast sides.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.