Fire in an Enviro hopper, cause unknown. Answers?????

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

zrtmatos

Feeling the Heat
Nov 26, 2012
352
Connecticut
I am trying to get possible causes of a hopper fire in an Enviro Windsor I recently sold. The new owners had recently renovated a garage into a 2nd kitchen. They had kept it clean by servicing it twice a week. It was just cleaned the day before the hopper caught on fire. Can anyone provide their thoughts on possible causes.
 
There are too many variables that are unknown to give any advice that could be taken seriously.

In general:

Look for exhaust issues..

Gaskets worn out, air leak somewhere that causes the pellets to not burn and back up.

Is the stove new?

What happened exactly?

What did the owners do to deal with it?

Any pictures?
 
Last edited:
There are too many variables that are unknown to give any advice that could be taken seriously.

In general: Stove had been in use for at least 3 months.

Look for exhaust issues..

Gaskets worn out, air leak somewhere that causes the pellets to not born and back up.

Is the stove new? It was a 2004 Enviro Windsor.

What happened exactly? New owners came home to find a hopper fire; described as back of stove on fire.

What did the owners do to deal with it? Called 911 and fire dept responded.

Any pictures? Can't add pictures from cell phone.
 
I have gotten 2 Envro Windsor's which have had hopper fires
Both stoves had plugged exhausts at the air adjust gate .
It is one stove which must be keep very clean or the
pellets wont burn ( lack of air ) and back up into the shoot
and fire the hopper
 
Here are some pictures of how the stove was installed which I though looked great and the event after. The new owner was cleaning it twice a week and was just cleaned when they came home to a hopper fire.
Has anyone ever heard of a clogged exhaust port causing this? I would have thought it would have just went out!

I have gotten 2 Envro Windsor's which have had hopper fires
Both stoves had plugged exhausts at the air adjust gate .
It is one stove which must be keep very clean or the
pellets wont burn ( lack of air ) and back up into the shoot
and fire the hopper
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0092.jpg
    IMG_0092.jpg
    235.2 KB · Views: 159
  • IMG_2103.jpg
    IMG_2103.jpg
    193.4 KB · Views: 145
  • IMG_0166.JPG.jpg
    IMG_0166.JPG.jpg
    103 KB · Views: 159
I thought they did a great job with the install as well and they had been burning for months now. I sold it to them in early November. This occurred this past week. I was very sorry to hear this happened and am concerned for the two stoves I burn now and for their terrible loss. I have no more info on the stove other than that last ugly pic of the fire. :(
 
If they have used it regularly for 3 months, look for the maintenance things that are required around that time frame. Meaning, not knowing what they do for cleaning exactly, look at the exhaust pipe. If there is a tee in the back, has it been cleaned out, it could be full of ash.

Check all the sensors, vacuum switch, and codes also.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.