Harman Accentra Insert

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mastercraft

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Oct 7, 2014
3
Palmer
Hi,
I have a Harman Accentra insert (Dec 2003 Model year). I bought it used prior to last winter and used it to heat my home all winter. I performed a full cleaning at least once a month and am very familiar with this model stove as both my parents and grandparents have the same thing.

Last spring I noticed a creosote building on the inside of the door and also on the left side of the burn pot. You could notice flame shooting out the side of the burn pot, appearing to escape under the flame guide.

I had a service tech recently take a look at the stove. He performed a full cleaning and recommended that I replace the flame guide which I guide.

I ran the stove for 3 hrs this morning on high and the black sticky creosote is back. It is evident on the side of the burn pot and also on the auger.

Any help or recommendations is much appreciated. I want to have the stove ready to go before the real cold sets in and I am out of idea's.

I've checked the door seals using the dollar bill trick and they seem to be in good shape. Not sure about the glass seal. Also not sure if the burn pot has some sort of defect or has cracked.

BTW - I am running New England Hardwood pellets.

Thanks
Dan 1.jpg 2.jpg 3.jpg
 
mastercraft said:
Hi,
I have a Harman Accentra insert (Dec 2003 Model year). I bought it used prior to last winter and used it to heat my home all winter. I performed a full cleaning at least once a month and am very familiar with this model stove as both my parents and grandparents have the same thing.

Last spring I noticed a creosote building on the inside of the door and also on the left side of the burn pot. You could notice flame shooting out the side of the burn pot, appearing to escape under the flame guide.

I had a service tech recently take a look at the stove. He performed a full cleaning and recommended that I replace the flame guide which I guide.

I ran the stove for 3 hrs this morning on high and the black sticky creosote is back. It is evident on the side of the burn pot and also on the auger.

Any help or recommendations is much appreciated. I want to have the stove ready to go before the real cold sets in and I am out of idea's.

I've checked the door seals using the dollar bill trick and they seem to be in good shape. Not sure about the glass seal. Also not sure if the burn pot has some sort of defect or has cracked.

BTW - I am running New England Hardwood pellets.

Thanks
DanView attachment 140580 View attachment 140581 View attachment 140582
Click to expand...
That last photo shows a pot in need of scraping. How often do you scrape the pot to clear the ash ? In the photo the pot is all backed up.

Also, have you tried burning different pellets ? I mean a few bags as a test for comparison.

Not sure how this build up is getting where it is otherwise. My P 61a has an all welded solid pot though. To get where it is in your stove with with a solid pot, it either spilled over or there would be a crack.
 
alternativeheat said:
That last photo shows a pot in need of scraping. How often do you scrape the pot to clear the ash ? In the photo the pot is all backed up.

Also, have you tried burning different pellets ? I mean a few bags as a test for comparison.

Not sure how this build up is getting where it is otherwise. My P 61a has an all welded solid pot though. To get where it is in your stove with with a solid pot, it either spilled over or there would be a crack.
Click to expand...


The pot was clean prior to this burn. Ran on high for maybe 3 hrs this morning. I have not tried another pellet but will this week.
 
[ and meanwhile maybe some="mastercraft, post: 1777166, member: 37583"]The pot was clean prior to this burn. Ran on high for maybe 3 hrs this morning. I have not tried another pellet but will this week.[/quote]
I'm not familiar with the control features of the original Accentra but that looks like a bunch ash for three hours burning by my P61 standards at least. This is odd to me, I'd try another brand pellet. Meanwhile someone else may chime in.
 
I agree with alteranative. That's a lot of ash for three hours burning. Seems to be just sitting there. I have not experienced any creosote, and cant help with how it got where it is.
 
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I had a similar issue with creosote on the left side of the burn pot and on the glass. Try taking the Hx plates out and cleaning your exhaust ports on the bottom right and left. My problem was the one on left was clogged up. This exhaust port travels straight back then turns right to meet the port from the right side of the stove, then travels up to the exhaust blower. It's tough to get all the way back. I used a toilet roto rooter to clear it. Got a bunch of moist creosote. No promises, but worth a shot.
 
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I agree with these guys. Something isn't right with that burn. The Accentras are known for the clogged left side ports and it really affects the burn.
 
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A clogged port makes perfect sense to me. If it was my stove I'd be on that case and if it turns out to be so, let that service guy know he missed something !
 
Service guy did clean the left side port as I spent hours in the spring trying to get the wire brush all the way thru that port into the exhaust chamber. Eventually I gave up and called the service guy who just cleaned it a few weeks ago. I picked up a roto rooter for the next time it clogs.

I'm not sure how far he cleaned the left side tube. I thought he made it all the way thru but maybe not and its still clogged at the end. I'm going to clean everything again and give it another go on the next cold morning and see what happens.

Thanks for all the ideas.
 
Justin M said:
You need to be able to push the brush through the left port until you can see it in the right one with a flash light. I had to get a stiffer boiler brush to make it around the corner because the flimsy Harman brush pretzeled when I tried to push it through.
Click to expand...

Can you provide a little info on the boiler brush? Thanks, that might be the right tool to pick up.
 
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