How often should I be checking the "fines box"? I'm sure it varies based on pellets, with the NEWP's high ash.
Only time have heard of problem is when someone has totally forgot to clean it for years or more problematic is not getting the cover back on tight
feed gate close and chomp the pellet.I think the possibility for the chunks of pellets in the fines box happens when you hear the feed gate close and chomp the pellet. Not sure and no scientific analysis but a good guess. Sounds good anyway so I'll justify the pellet pieces that way.
Bio hit the nail on the head. With my per ton burned cleaning schedule I do not get much out of the fines. pellet chunks nor dust. There usually is something in there but I could see cleaning the fines once a year at the end or beginning of burn season would likely be fine with the pellet brands I have burned. Mileage may vary with junky pellets where the fines, fragments, dust, etc might want to build up quicker.
The Greenways I am very happy with but I have heard the slide gate chomping some and each bag does have more dust and fines that the Sets I've used. This is why I am curious what my fines box will look like. I'll report back in another 2./3rds of a ton. I am beating there will be a bit more in there this time because of this.
Have a Great New Year everyone! Stay Warm and kick back in front of the stove to enjoy that 40 pounder humping. Easy as pie.........
Heating without a visible fire is just flat out boring IMO. Granted if I had cheap oil or propane I'd be a cheater too but I'd also miss the fires.
That is impressive there cleaning slacker......... LOL!
Greenways from another hardwood flooring co. out of TN. Similar to Sets but much more like Pro Pellets from MI.
I have burned many different brands over the years, Greenways for the last 2, mainly used Somersets, Country Boys, but last year when the -15*F was forecasted I purchased 25 bags from my local TSC that were FREEDOM PELLETS, they were junk.That is impressive there cleaning slacker......... LOL!
You must have been burning some good Sets. Otherwise, it would have possibly been jammed up more. Who knows? Just another guess, but I haven't a clue. My Sets have had the least fines out of several good brands I've burned. At this point I am about price.
Fines box was a quarter full,,, as in packed tight from the bottom 1/4 up? I can see that. Every time I have done mine it has just been dusted with some fine particles and flakes and maybe has a chunk or two in the very bottom of my fines box. Nothing even close to alarming but I am sure mileage may vary depending. Even same brands can vary a little per bag within the same 1 ton pallet.
I am seriously curious as to what I'll find after the next per ton clean. Running some dusty but good pellets.
The Greenways I've messed with, have slightly more dust and fines for sure, than both the other brands. Sets are more consistent in size whereas both the Pro's and Greenways will consistently have some longer pellets. Some in both of those brands can be at least 2 inches long. Not a problem here but the stoves that bridge and have sensitive feeds I can see it being a major PITA.
During the next per ton clean I might discover a bit more in the fines box since I've been running the Greenways (when I do the 1 ton clean after running a ton of them thru) because they definitely have more dust and fines but it will take a minute, because it's supposed to warm up some again. It has been fairly cold the last few days and I'm guessing you are getting fairly similar weather but being somewhat south of here can be a significant game changer.
GO CATS! Don't tell me you are a Louisville fan........,,,, who cleans his fines box every 6 years....LOL!
XXV has the ultra feeder with exposed auger screw so when I vacuum the fines I always suck up all the pellets in the tube.
,that's what a burnpot is for.
