New Pellet.... New type of ash on the window.

  • 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.

Thaddius Wenderoth

Feeling the Heat
Jan 21, 2013
249
So I ran the last of my Lignetics which burned wonderful for me. I had an opportunity to get some Rocky Canyon Ultra Premiums which are highly recommended in my area for a good price so I picked up a ton.

Well I cleaned the stove real well and started the Rocky Canyon's. VERY VERY little ash. I thought the Lignetics were impressive but these are less than 1/4 of what the Lignetics were.

My only concern is the color of the build up on the glass was different. It did stay cleaner longer but when I did my daily clean out today I noticed it was more of black soot rather than the white I am used too. What do you think. Indicitive of a problem or nothing to worry about? Pictures below. P.S. the clean lines are from the vacuum. It normally vacuums off a little better than that.
DSC_1059.jpg
DSC_1058.jpg
 
I notice that with different brands. Somerset, Pro Pellet/Magic Spark and Presto Logs leave a whitish film on the glass. Michigan pellets (which I'm burning now in an attempt to rid myself of that pile) leave a darker brown film.

I assume it is due to the different composition of the fiber used to make the pellets.
 
Yup -- different pellets leave a different trace. The Barefoots I'm burning now leave my glass looking similar to yours, but the McFeeter's turn the glass black. The difference is notable on the heat exchangers, too.
 
I am burning American Wood Fiber Softwoods this year and these pellets leave the most black soot on the glass of any pellet I have ever burned.
 
how long did it take for your glass to get like that ?
 
how long did it take for your glass to get like that ?
Cleaned the stove about 7am on Friday and that was about 3pm yesterday so it was 32 hours.
 
Cleaned the stove about 7am on Friday and that was about 3pm yesterday so it was 32 hours.
Does the glass always get like that after 2 days? and its just darker with the new pellets. Both of your pellets are not sold by me but even with crappy north american pellets after a week my glass is not even close to that. I know we have different stoves. and I have never seen your stove burning just asking. I am looking to get another stove for my basement and heard some good things about your stove. so I am curious
 
Both pellets that I have used have fogged up the glass somewhat quickly. It is just how the soot on the glass looks. I will clean the stove tonight around 5pm. I will take another picture and post. I have been burning on 1-9 in mode "C" FWIW. It could just be the softies. Not sure. I love the stove and strongly recommend it.
 
WOW! That is DIRTY and I can't believe how quick that "fogged up". I would have to burn pellets for about 3 weeks with no cleaning to get glass like that. I am not at all familiar with you stove, but wonder if you have a combustion issue? Have you been cleaning your stove after each ton, including your stove venting pipes? Hope someone who has a similar stove will weigh in for you!
 
WOW! That is DIRTY and I can't believe how quick that "fogged up". I would have to burn pellets for about 3 weeks with no cleaning to get glass like that. I am not at all familiar with you stove, but wonder if you have a combustion issue? Have you been cleaning your stove after each ton, including your stove venting pipes? Hope someone who has a similar stove will weigh in for you!
Just finished a ton and just finished a blower and stack clean. I vacuum the stove everyday (never missed a day since I bought it back in Jan.) and clean the glass. I have a 3" T out of the stove then 3" straight up 8 feet to 3" -> 6" adapter then 6" thimbal and another 5' of 6" out the roof. Oak installed about 38" straight in from the wall. It has dirtied the glass like that from day 1. Now I am curious. Anyone else get an ashy window like this? PDVC owners chime in?
 
If you dont clean your glass, youll never notice the difference. ;)
 
If you dont clean your glass, youll never notice the difference. ;)
Never thought about that! If I never cleaned the ashes either I could burn whatever pellet I wanted and not see the difference! Hmm sounds like a plan!
 
I notice that with different brands. Somerset, Pro Pellet/Magic Spark and Presto Logs leave a whitish film on the glass. Michigan pellets (which I'm burning now in an attempt to rid myself of that pile) leave a darker brown film.

I assume it is due to the different composition of the fiber used to make the pellets.

Same here. Somersets, Ligs, Presto's all leave a nice white/light grey ash and film.

I did a 5 bag test of North Americans, and they made the glass almost black on the 2 sides. Within 2 bags, you could barely see through the sides, only the center was clean (Center stays very clean, wish they made the "Wash" all the way across the door. Because it works awesome, where the slit it is)
 
Ok here are some updated pics. This is since yesterday. About 24 hours...
DSC_1066.jpg
DSC_1064.jpg
DSC_1070.jpg
DSC_1061.jpg
 
And after clean. Keep in mind this is my daily clean and not my weekly so no haters!
DSC_1079.jpg
DSC_1082.jpg
DSC_1080.jpg
DSC_1084.jpg
DSC_1085.jpg
 
nice cleaning job now lets see your glass tomorrow after burning
 
Well that is the same clean I do everyday. The pics at the top had the exact same clean after I took them and then I took today's pic's. I do the same clean everyday except on Thursdays when I do my weekly clean which is when I chisel off the burnt on stuff and open the baffle etc...
 
A video of it burning. BTW I went back to "D" mode today as it is warming up outside and even low was too warm in the house. This was right after start up from the clean 3-5 min after.
 
Just finished a ton and just finished a blower and stack clean. I vacuum the stove everyday (never missed a day since I bought it back in Jan.) and clean the glass. I have a 3" T out of the stove then 3" straight up 8 feet to 3" -> 6" adapter then 6" thimbal and another 5' of 6" out the roof. Oak installed about 38" straight in from the wall. It has dirtied the glass like that from day 1. Now I am curious. Anyone else get an ashy window like this? PDVC owners chime in?

Yep, dirty glass every day, how dirty depends on what I'm burning.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Thaddius Wenderoth
Yep, dirty glass every day, how dirty depends on what I'm burning.
Thank you! Figured maybe part of this stove. It does not bother me I just want to be sure everything is running as efficient as possible. I appreciate the feedback.
 
I guess that stove has a tendency for the glass to get dirty as long as you are getting good heat and no problems its all good
 
Thank you! Figured maybe part of this stove. It does not bother me I just want to be sure everything is running as efficient as possible. I appreciate the feedback.

From all your pics they are very similar to what mine looks like, been burning like that right out of the box, are you getting weird spaceship sounds from time to time also? Lol
 
From all your pics they are very similar to what mine looks like, been burning like that right out of the box, are you getting weird spaceship sounds from time to time also? Lol
LOL elaborate....
 
LOL elaborate....


Sometimes I get a rotational weird high pitch ringing from the exhaust blower. The worst is when the convection fan gets a sorta squealing sound every now and then on lower settings
 
Sometimes I get a rotational weird high pitch ringing from the exhaust blower. The worst is when the convection fan gets a sorta squealing sound every now and then on lower settings
I only got a weird howling kinda squeal one time and it is because the varmint trap on my OAK iced up. I melted the ice off and all has been normal since.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.