Enviro ef3 newbie. Pellets burning out too quickly. Draft issue?

Hi all, new to this forum, and pellet stoves. After I purchased my stove (used) did a complete cleaning, installed the new venting kit (not comfortable installing a used one that came with the stove) all functions are working great! One problem is that the pellets are burning much too quickly, no flame building up and damper has little or no effect. Door and ashpan gaskets seem fine, any suggestions?

Love this forum BTW!

Hi Nailer. Pellets are premium hardwood pellets, Canawick, that were recommended to me by long time pellet users. I have adjusted the feed thouroughout and the draft to see if i can find a happy medium. The only thing that makes a difference is when i open the ash drawer, the flame climbs but gets "lazy". Pellet delivery is inconsistant, but no problems with the auger itself or jamming. Lots of little sparks while burning - fly ash? I guess maybe i need to spend more time playing with adjustments! Thanks!

Havent done the dollar bill test yet, I have already replaced the door gasket and tightened up the handle. I am trying to find out what the proper diameter of gasket is for the ashpan door. My manual only specifies 10' but not size. trying another brand of pellets as we speak to see if flame quality is any different. I believe it may be due to my lack of experience. I will replace ashpan gasket and go from there. I gave the old girl the best scraping i could and its pretty darned clean! Thanks again for the info!
Oh and I am trying to locate an OAK for this unit. For now, she's sucking air out of the open window right behind her!

Just a quick addition to this - I decided to take the exhaust fan off today during the cool down and clean out time. As I purchased the stove used, I had no reference as to how far the damper knob should be sticking out of the cover. When I got looking inside the fan housing I noticed a lot of ash inside, so I cleaned it out and noticed that the damper rod was pushed in all the way but was still about 1.5 inches of gap still open inside! Passage was plugged with hard ash and damper couldnt even come close to closing all the way! after total cleanout I now have complete control of the flame, but now I have some barely visible exhaust smoke at the outlet. Any suggestions on wether or not I have the flame adjustment right, or is a light amount of smoke acceptable? (at the outlet NOT inside the house)

Thanks, it is currently -21 C right now.