Enviro Mini - block exhaust

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Brian L

Brian L

Member
Oct 15, 2013
95
North Smithfield, RI
So it's been a few weeks since installing my mini. Seems to be running pretty good. I've been waiting on having a tech come set the draft with a gauge as I just finally installed the OAK that was required by the inspector.

Today my stove shut down and had a flashing light indicating a blockage in the exhaust. I opened the thee panels behind and on the side of the ash box. They were full with ashes. Is this normal for only a few weeks of burning at only about 5 hours a day? I am burning spruce pointe pellets. Could it be that I'm getting a lot of ash because my settings are off ?
 
yes the ports need to be cleaned about every two weeks. it has nothing to do with air setting.
 
Also the vacuum hose barb on the back of the exhaust plenum can easily get clogged with ash. Take off the vacuum hose and stick a pipe cleaner or stiff wire in there to make sure it is clear.
 
Burning 2-3 tons annually (Goldenfire) in a Mini since '07. After half dozen sacks we vacuum out the inspection plates both sides of the ashdrawer they fill quickly and significantly reduce performance. We leave the rear rectangular ashdrawer inspection plate (doesn't clog as fast as the two round ones) until a thorough cleaning after every ton (removing firebox panels and then leafblower which billows a cloud of ash even after a thorough vacuuming.) The flashing light sounds like the vacuum hose and barb fittings as previous reply stated, ours needs removal and clearing about every 5 tons, Goldenfires are pretty low ash.

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/enviro-mini-shuts-off-on-start-up.31787/#post-411698
 
Last edited:
Brian L, I like to clean those 3 panels every 2 weeks. I also use a 8" piece of approx 3/8" tubing jammed into the end of the vacuum crevice tool to reach all the way around all the corners etc...
 
Thanks all. The 3 cleanouts will be added to my bi-weekly cleaning routine.

I have to get this stove set with a mag soon. I feel like I'm getting more ash than I should and I also have the damper almost closed to get a decent flame.
 
something doesnt seem right Brian L, the more clogged my mini gets the further I have to pull the rod out... like right now mines do for a cleaning and I have the rod out 2" instead of the usual 1"
 
We'll I have to install a thermostat today so I'm just going to pull the sides off and make sure everything looks ok. I need to dig around a little anyway to get familiar with the stove.
 
how is the stove vented?
 
I used 3" pellet vent pro. I have a 5' horizontal run out of the house to a cleanout to a 3' vertical Then I have a 90 to the termination cap.

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with out putting a mag. on it i can't tell for sure but i would guess it need to be open more.
 
Brian L said:
So it's been a few weeks since installing my mini. Seems to be running pretty good. I've been waiting on having a tech come set the draft with a gauge as I just finally installed the OAK that was required by the inspector.

Today my stove shut down and had a flashing light indicating a blockage in the exhaust. I opened the thee panels behind and on the side of the ash box. They were full with ashes. Is this normal for only a few weeks of burning at only about 5 hours a day? I am burning spruce pointe pellets. Could it be that I'm getting a lot of ash because my settings are off ?
Click to expand...

Without the draft gauge the Mini stove is sensitive to too much draft and with 3" pipe it does not take long to plug the system up. When properly set any issues that do come up with ash build up indicates that it's time for a cleaning.
 
I got it running really well now. Setting at .13 on my manometer really helped. I feel like I am still getting a lot of ash but this is my first pellet stove and first brand of pellets so I don't have anything to compare it to. I am burning spruce pointes and I am just about done 1.2 tons this season.

I'm gonna try a new brand and see if I get less ash.

Since the stove is running good I am now in my experimental phase. I'm hooking up my stove to a belkin wemo light switch. I started another thread on it. This will connect to the thermostat jack and give me remote access to turning the stove on and off. I can also do scheduling and even use text messages or twitter to turn the stove on. I should be finishing today. Really enjoying this pellet stove stuff.
 
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