We got the stove early winter after our other insert decided to die. Well it says to do the cleaning after every ton, but with how cold it was this year I didn't want to take a day to shut down in case I screwed something. Probably burned close to two tons before the cleaning(I know I am pushing it).
Given this was the first time, I wasn't sure how dirty it would be. I was pretty surprised it was actually pretty clean. Followed the instructions. The exhaust blower wasn't all that dirty. A quick shop vac and the blades were clean. Absolutely no dust at in the convection blower. Cleaned the vacuum nozzle with a paper clip per the instructions, the clip had nothing on it. Did it several times.
I was concerned about the exhaust flue because it comes out vertical and there is no clean out like on most stoves. Disconnected it went on the roof not much at all in the flue. SOrt of surprised. Cleaned the flue then I was done.
Of course I couldn't figure out how to get the convection blower back on(it was simple I just didn't pay attention to when I took it off) but once I figured it out it took about 30 seconds.
However this stove has a latch that latches a lid to which the flue is connected. That was hard to latch back on.
So even though I cleaned it I had to check to make sure it worked and I smelled a bit of smoke at first light up so I have to make sure I have the exhaust lid properly connected. I didn't smell anything after the first lighting so I don't think I have a big leak.
I was just surprised that the stove was this clean. I guess it just burns cleaner(burned the same pellets in my other insert as I burned in this one). My other insert was way dirtier then this one. I know some people have had problems with this model, but so far for me it works excellent and is pretty clean. I do think I can probably get away cleaning it after 2 tons instead of one. I'll see if I decide to push my luck.
Given this was the first time, I wasn't sure how dirty it would be. I was pretty surprised it was actually pretty clean. Followed the instructions. The exhaust blower wasn't all that dirty. A quick shop vac and the blades were clean. Absolutely no dust at in the convection blower. Cleaned the vacuum nozzle with a paper clip per the instructions, the clip had nothing on it. Did it several times.
I was concerned about the exhaust flue because it comes out vertical and there is no clean out like on most stoves. Disconnected it went on the roof not much at all in the flue. SOrt of surprised. Cleaned the flue then I was done.
Of course I couldn't figure out how to get the convection blower back on(it was simple I just didn't pay attention to when I took it off) but once I figured it out it took about 30 seconds.
However this stove has a latch that latches a lid to which the flue is connected. That was hard to latch back on.
So even though I cleaned it I had to check to make sure it worked and I smelled a bit of smoke at first light up so I have to make sure I have the exhaust lid properly connected. I didn't smell anything after the first lighting so I don't think I have a big leak.
I was just surprised that the stove was this clean. I guess it just burns cleaner(burned the same pellets in my other insert as I burned in this one). My other insert was way dirtier then this one. I know some people have had problems with this model, but so far for me it works excellent and is pretty clean. I do think I can probably get away cleaning it after 2 tons instead of one. I'll see if I decide to push my luck.
! LOl
