I am so glad I found this and will be even happier if you are able to answer my question. I bought a US Stove 5500M and had it installed like the instructions said, out the wall and less than 180 degrees worth of bends, its clean and running fine except the fire pot fills up with ash like a brick within the day, do I need to run an outside air source, I live in Eaton, Ohio if that helps. The flame looks okay but when it starts to get full it will have a haze right below the flame. The pellets should be fine they have been indoors in a warm house long before I even got the stove installed, thanks for any help
Newly bought US Stove 5500M Questions
- Thread starter reddog107
- Start date
-
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
webbie
Seasoned Moderator
That does not sound right......
If your house is fairly tight, you may need an outside air source. But if there is lots of air (older house), this may not be the cause of the problem.
Lots of possibilities........
1. Stove design....I don't think many members have this model, so we have no way of knowing if it has any design problems, etc.
2. The venting
Even though many manuals show the pipe just going out, this can cause problems and lack of airflow. Many installers are starting to suggest "rise" in the pipe. See this:
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/13419/#148730
Note, that is one of the top experts on Pellet stoves saying he will NEVER direct vent a pellet stove ever gain. Pretty strong words for someone that experienced!
3. Firepot positioning and gasket on doors, hopper, etc
Check all these things
4. Your technique
You might need to scrape the firepot once or twice a day before this buildup gets too big. This is fairly typical in many pellet stoves.
5. The Pellets - if possible, grab a couple bags of another brand or two and try them.
Can't perfectly troubleshoot from afar, but those are some guesses to get you started.
If your house is fairly tight, you may need an outside air source. But if there is lots of air (older house), this may not be the cause of the problem.
Lots of possibilities........
1. Stove design....I don't think many members have this model, so we have no way of knowing if it has any design problems, etc.
2. The venting
Even though many manuals show the pipe just going out, this can cause problems and lack of airflow. Many installers are starting to suggest "rise" in the pipe. See this:
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/13419/#148730
Note, that is one of the top experts on Pellet stoves saying he will NEVER direct vent a pellet stove ever gain. Pretty strong words for someone that experienced!
3. Firepot positioning and gasket on doors, hopper, etc
Check all these things
4. Your technique
You might need to scrape the firepot once or twice a day before this buildup gets too big. This is fairly typical in many pellet stoves.
5. The Pellets - if possible, grab a couple bags of another brand or two and try them.
Can't perfectly troubleshoot from afar, but those are some guesses to get you started.
Okay heres something I have noticed I can see a little bit of light around the top part of the seal on the door, and that area gets scrortched a little, is this a possible problem? They say it won't start if there is a lack of pressure and it starts every time. My house is older but I have plastic on the windows and such to prevent cold air from getting in. I will try some other brands of pellets and see if there is a difference. Is there any new input based on this new information you can give me? Thank you very much for your time, it is greatly appreciated.
webbie
Seasoned Moderator
Well, gaskets fall under #3 of my possible problems....
Also, it may affect the venting. In theory, most pellet stoves should not spill out of a small opening....when you mentioned "scorched" , that sounds like smoke may be coming out of there.
That points to weak venting.....#2 above.
Also, every pellet stove is different - many have an adjustment on the blower (a gate of sorts), which can be moved to allow more or less air to be pulled by the combustion blower. Check the manual and any tech docs for this. It might be that a draft gauge of sorts is needed for proper setup.
Pellet stoves are fairly technical, and unfortunately often do not come from the factory ready to go.
My initial feeling is that your problems may be related to more than one thing.....but relate to air flow through the pot and also your scraping (or lack of it). As mentioned before, it is not unusual for folks to have to give the pot a 5 second scrape once or twice each day.
Also, it may affect the venting. In theory, most pellet stoves should not spill out of a small opening....when you mentioned "scorched" , that sounds like smoke may be coming out of there.
That points to weak venting.....#2 above.
Also, every pellet stove is different - many have an adjustment on the blower (a gate of sorts), which can be moved to allow more or less air to be pulled by the combustion blower. Check the manual and any tech docs for this. It might be that a draft gauge of sorts is needed for proper setup.
Pellet stoves are fairly technical, and unfortunately often do not come from the factory ready to go.
My initial feeling is that your problems may be related to more than one thing.....but relate to air flow through the pot and also your scraping (or lack of it). As mentioned before, it is not unusual for folks to have to give the pot a 5 second scrape once or twice each day.
rayttt
Feeling the Heat
I have a different stove..however..I've only had it a month or so and have been burning energex pellets..
and there wasnt alot of buildup of ash in the burn pot with them...Im running out of them so I tried pennington pellets from walmart (3 bags) and those fill up my burn pot with ash so that the flame is leaning forward and not as hot..I scrap some of the ash out each day with those pellets to correct it . So I would try a different brand of pellets real quick..probably the easiest thing to do and see.
and there wasnt alot of buildup of ash in the burn pot with them...Im running out of them so I tried pennington pellets from walmart (3 bags) and those fill up my burn pot with ash so that the flame is leaning forward and not as hot..I scrap some of the ash out each day with those pellets to correct it . So I would try a different brand of pellets real quick..probably the easiest thing to do and see.
- Status
Similar threads
