Pellet Stove Starter Kit

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HillofBeans

Member
Feb 15, 2014
26
Pennsburg, PA
Posted yesterday for the first time. Thanks for the great feedback. My stove will be installed on Friday. I'm one of those guys that likes to have what I need before I need it. With that being said, I'm wondering if some of you have advice on the pellet stove starter kit that every stove owner will eventually need.

I hit up Lowes today and bought the following:

1 pair of heavy duty fireproof gloves
1 metal ash tub
2 paint brushes to dust off ashes when cleaning
1 pack of latex gloves for cleaning
1 fire extinguisher (to complement the one I already own- one up, one down now)
1 carbon monoxide detector (also to complement the one I already own, one up, one down)
1 surge protector for the unit

I looked for wire cleaning brushes, but none to be had. I also looked for a vacuum to use for cleaning. No go. My question is, what may be missing and what should I avoid wasting money on. Any brands that you've had success with. Any websites you like to buy from. PM me if you can't post. I know Lowes isn't the best place to look for this category, but I had to stop there anyway.
 
I still use shop vac with filter and filter bags(drywall bags).You forgot most important thing-barley and wheat medicine!
I have a shop vac, but the thing is so big and clumsy, I don't want to deal with dragging the thing out. The specialty vacs look like I can store them in the closet in my hall and pull out with ease. If I do go with the shop vac, will the standard filter suffice or is a special filter needed? Not sure what filter bags are.
 
1 love of saving money
2 Power Smith ash vac. search online around $80.00 great buy.
3 old screwdriver or chisel to scrape burn pot.

more to follow......

Latex gloves...nahh..get dirty feels good and hands wash.
Fireproof gloves? Not sure you should be cleaning when its blasting heat.
 
If you go with the shop-vac, get a "drywall" bag. That is what I use and I am in my second year of using the same bag. I bought the least expensive vac I could get that still had the drywall bags.
MOST important, make sure there are no live, hot coals when you do vacuum.
 
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Buy the way,no slip gloves are great for lifting pellet bags,even wet ones.I use atlas grip gloves,but cheap gardening gloves work.Now remember,the first three days you have to sit in front of stove,nonstop,and watch!;lol;lol;lol
 
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Leery about the latex gloves. Even after my stove is shut down and there are no hot embers, the metal inside might still be hot enough to melt latex. I have an old pair of leather gloves in the cleaning kit.
 
If u don't want to buy a new Vac but have a small shop vac, just fasten a white sock on the exhaust end with a radiator clamp.
That will keep the dust from getting into your living space.. been using a 25.00 Home Depot wet/dry one since I got the stove..think it's called the Stinger.. 2gallon.. perfect little size for the low volume of Pellet ash..
shouldn't have to mention this but, Cold dead stove ash before using it..
 
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Several metal brushes to be had in the Grilling section. I went to a resteraunt supply and got a long reach brush to clean the ESP and all the way to venting.
 
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Don't forget the Linteater... it's made for dryer vents, but it works great on pellet stove exhaust vent pipe
 
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Buy the way,no slip gloves are great for lifting pellet bags,even wet ones

Wet pellet bags? Just askin.

As to the original question, I would add a gasket scraper which I like for scraping the burn pot. They come in several sizes for about $12 each for the Craftsman brand, depending on size, or a set of five sizes for about $25. You can check them, and lots of other brands out at: http://www.sears.com/search=gasket scraper?levels=Tools&autoRedirect=true

Almost forgot! Get yourself some ceramic stove-top cleaner for the glass; works like a charm and I have found that, over time, it fills micro pores in the glass which in turn helps the glass stay cleaner longer and makes the next cleaning a bit easier (not that its hard to begin with).
 
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I would add an N95 mask so you don't breath in any ash dust.

I always make sure the stove is very cold when cleaning. Therefore, I don't use fire gloves or any ash tub. Latex gloves are a must. I also use a normal shop vac. I do put the shop vac outside in the cold after cleaning for 24 hours just to be sure :).
 
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Add a couple of coal hods to your list. it makes it easier to pour pellets into the hopper.
 
When I clean my stove I turn on the exhaust blower, it helps keep the dust down, but I wear a mask always, pellet dust is very fine, it gets everywhere!
 
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I pack away a fair amount of beer . . . but a new stove warrants a little Scotch! Just one man's opinion.
 
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Farm and Fleet has the Power Smith ash vac right now for 80 bucks. It's an awesome vac for a great price. I also got a small attachment kit with a small clear tube that also works good under the ash pot.
I have an old brake spring removal tool that works great for the carbon on the bottom of the ash pot, and the air holes.
 
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