Agitator hitting burn box?

I occasionally when I hear a "pop" it's a pellet getting crushed by the auger. Sometimes they get in between the auger and tube. You hear the motor work a little harder and then "pop". Pellet crushed.

No problem. Just sharing my experiences.

Hey z,
Welcome to hearth.com
What i found on my 6039 (and the 6041 also) was that after burning long periods on lower settings, the carbon builds up on the burnpot and on the ends of the agitator fingers, as the agitator spins, the high spots of carbon come in contact....POP....

When mine starts clunking and popping alot, usually a sign it needs thorough cleaning, actually it means it is past due.
Cant speak for the 5500, but i dont think it is rated any higher as far as btu's go. It does however hold twice the amount of pellets.
Maybe someone that has or has had the 5500 will chime in.
Oh yea, i would be leary of running any pellet stove wide open for any length of time, but thats just my 2 cents.