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Aquion

Burning Hunk
Oct 7, 2012
133
Portland, CT
I turned the pellet stove off Wednesday morning and left to spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws. We got back Saturday night, and I figured that I'd be able to turn the pellet stove on and enjoy some heat. The stove was installed on the previous Saturday, so it hadn't even burned for a week yet. Well. I got a huge flame, tons of pellets in the burn pot, half burned pellets falling into the ash pan, and all the fire alarms in the house going off. My first thought was "I must have gotten a lemon." My second thought was "Those installers must have screwed up." Third thought, "Those guys on the forum say that 99% of all problems are caused by a dirty stove. I shut the stove down and turned on the electic heat for the night.

This morning I went to Lowes and picked up a Shop Vac with a filter and some drywall bags. Upon arriving home, I pulled the stove apart and vacuumed all the crud out of it. I started up the stove, and its been running like a dream ever since. This forum is full of useful information, and I thank you for sharing it.
 
It shouldn't be that dirty to create all that only burning less than a week. Something doesn't sound right.
 
The M-55 should be able to burn a ton before intervention.

I think the start up may have run amuck?

Most owners with that stove go at least a week or two.

I have a Quad and haven't touched it yet (burnin since Oct and about 20 bags).
 
And no ones bothered by the shop vac with drywall filters. I agree something is wrong with your install.
 
Nope. I use Shop vacs with HEPA and Drywall Filters :)

Even Ash Vacs aren't rated for Coals. They are rated for "Warm" ash. So in other words, wait for your stove to cool.
 
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I would almost guarantee the smoke was the new paint burning in. You have to run the stove on heat level 5 for several hours to get it fully done burning in. It took me about a week in total before the paint curing smell totally went away. I did the same thing as you and felt pretty stupid later when I realized it was just the paint, except I tore into the exhaust piping re-sealing the joints. Also, it's normal to get a huge flame and some spilled pellets during the startup cycle.
 
I like the 5gal bucket vac from HD and some filters 30 bucks and your cleaning a COLD stove for over 3 years before ya need to get more filters or a cleaner bucket to keep the peace.
 
Unless the agitator isn't turning or the damper isn't properly adjusted or a dozen other things some of which lead to a hell of a build up of ash.

But if cleaning it took care of the problems then something in the cleaning fixed the cause of the shut down.

Funny what a good cleaning does isn't it?

It is sort of having a really good fire when you start out becoming a mess by the next day. After only a bag or two through the stove. Cleaning will get the fire back.

Your mission is to monitor the fire and report back what happens.

I can remember cleaning my stove's burn pot three times a day. It sure got cruddy fast.
 
You guys who insist on using shop vacs are nuts, IMHO. OK off my soapbox.
 
The stove is still working great. The inspector stopped by today and gave his approval. Do I have to roll the unit out to adjust the damper? I've been thinking about getting a magnahelic gauge and adjusting the damper.
 
Take the left side panel off and the slide damper will be accessible! Although the stove is pulled out in the second picture, it does not have to be to adjust the damper (slide damper is circled, I use an awl to adjust as the slide is hot as F'...fool me once!). First picture the stove is not pulled out!


IMG_0586[1].jpg


Untitled-2[1].jpg
 
Thanks for the pictures! Is there anything else I need besides a magnehelic gauge? There is a used tool shop on the Berlin Turnpike. I'm thinking about heading over there to pick one up.
 
Thanks for the pictures! Is there anything else I need besides a magnehelic gauge? There is a used tool shop on the Berlin Turnpike. I'm thinking about heading over there to pick one up.

That should do it...Just remember to run your stove at level 5 for about an hour before you set the slide!
 
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