Lazy flame

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WOODNUT358

Member
Aug 1, 2008
119
RI
I have a Harman xxv pellet stove and the flame seems very lazy when the stove is cranking. Has anyone made an air adjustment on this stove? Thanks!
 
if you have a cleaning check that the fine box cover is closed and the one below the fire pot
 
Check the air flapper in the intake to see if it's moving freely.
Also check the fines box to see if it's plugged or the slide plate
is incorrectly installed.
 
Do you have an OAK (outside air kit)? When was the last time you cleaned internal exhaust passages and venting?

Edit: I always forget about the fines box on the Harmans!
 
Do you have an OAK (outside air kit)? When was the last time you cleaned internal exhaust passages and venting?

Edit: I always forget about the fines box on the Harmans!
I just cleaned it a couple of days before xmas fine box also No I do not have an oak.
 
What happens when you crack open a window? Yes, I know counter-intuitive, you're trying to heat your space. Does flame change to sluggish when you have dryer , bathroom fan or kitchen exhaust running? Sounds like it doesn't have enough air to burn well which is where the OAK comes in. Dedicated air supply just for the stove. Is your stove center of the room or near an outside wall?
 
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What happens when you crack open a window? Yes, I know counter-intuitive, you're trying to heat your space. Does flame change to sluggish when you have dryer , bathroom fan or kitchen exhaust running? Sounds like it doesn't have enough air to burn well which is where the OAK comes in. Dedicated air supply just for the stove. Is your stove center of the room or near an outside wall?
Against a wall I may just try the oak. Thanks for help!!!
 
How old is your stove? Are the rope door gaskets in good shape or have you done the dollar bill test? Just another possibility. Did it run fine before without an OAK?
 
How old is your stove? Are the rope door gaskets in good shape or have you done the dollar bill test? Just another possibility. Did it run fine before without an OAK?
Stove will be 7 tomorrow installed new gasket last year. It's always had somewhat of a lazy flame at times. Wondering if oak is the way to go. Thanks for the reply.
 
What happens when you crack open a window? Yes, I know counter-intuitive, you're trying to heat your space. Does flame change to sluggish when you have dryer , bathroom fan or kitchen exhaust running? Sounds like it doesn't have enough air to burn well which is where the OAK comes in. Dedicated air supply just for the stove. Is your stove center of the room or near an outside wall?
Do you have any recommendations on the best OAK for the harman xxv. The stove is 7 yrs old. Thanks again.
 
Harman sells a vent and OAK wall thimble combo but they spank you on price. $250 bucks just for the wall thimble unit. It is nice but.... I would just look online a various ones. I did that for my second stove. If I recall the whole shebang was about $70. The set ups can be had relatively cheap. I am a firm believer in the OAKs. Maybe one would help your burn. Well, I know it would along with other things.
 
Depends on the budget and how you want to set it up. What brand venting are you currently using?

Replace all venting with selkirk direct temp with integrated outside air kit... expensive.

http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.com/Harman-Outside-Air-Vent-Assembly-p/1-10-09542.htm but you will still need semi-rigid metal flex line.

Depending on your existing venting, you can get some with the oak integrated into the horizontal venting that passes through the thimble. Bio-Vent and Selkirk (I think) have these options... edit: not Selkirk!

Stand alone Outside Air Kit ... most hardware stores carry these for pellet and wood stoves.
 
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Be careful when getting the semi-rigid flex pipe and make sure to measure your stove's inlet first to see what size it needs. Most stoves have a 2" - both of my Harmans have the 2-3/4" intakes (earlier years might be a different size). I use a dryer vent exhaust hood for the wall transition and use 3" semi-rigid flex pipe and a 2-3" band clamp for attaching to stove inlet.
 
Stand alone Outside Air Kit ... most hardware stores carry these for pellet and wood stoves.

Not in my neck of the woods.. online was my only option for a prefabbed kit.
 
dryer vent exhaust hood
Just have to make sure it is the screen only style hood ... not the kind with the louvres;) Ensure that the fresh air intake is also below the level of the exhaust vent.

There are some interesting thimble kits that integrate the thimble opening inside a housing... page 3. Not sure of the costing though...
http://www.duravent.com/docs/product/L820_PVP_W.pdf
 
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Be careful when getting the semi-rigid flex pipe and make sure to measure your stove's inlet first to see what size it needs. Most stoves have a 2" - both of my Harmans have the 2-3/4" intakes (earlier years might be a different size). I use a dryer vent exhaust hood for the wall transition and use 3" semi-rigid flex pipe and a 2-3" band clamp for attaching to stove inlet.
Thanks will do.
 
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