Just dump the ash pan once a month - LOL

lecomte38 said:

I wonder how many stoves will be for sale after those who are mechanically challenged give up on them.

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When these stoves go up for sale used next spring is when I intend on purchasing one to put in my basement!

As far as cleanng I go overboard with a full cleaning daily (not needed daily but I do it)

Can someone recommend a good brand of pellets to try in my Big E?

I've been giving mine a clean evry 5 days. Dont think it needs it but like to keep it clean. Scrape out the Pot, vacuum evrything and brush down the Exchangers. Very little ash in the pan,(maybe an inch.) Get some build up on the edge of the Pot but I think thats becuase I tend to turn it down a lot as its gets HOT in the house. Burning Cleanfire. Takes about half an hour. Take my time as the Lady of the House pays me in Kind.(The Wife)

why i am not one of the cool kids pellet stove owners yet, (I hope to buy one this spring) I hope to buy one that I could clean once a week. there is so much info here my head is spinning

lecomte38 said:

I am surprised at the amount of maintenance my Harman insert requires; daily pot attention, weekly shut down and scrape auger tube/burn pot. 2 weeks clean ashes and brush down heart exchanger. I wonder how many stoves will be for sale after those who are mechanically challenged give up on them.

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Whaaaaaaaa! Oh my gosh I have to change the oil in my car, rotate the tires, and put gas in it. I am so lazy.


Yes I said it!
Eric

I would have to agree with the pellets being the biggest issue. Also all ash pans are not created equal. My Napoleon insert has a very small area for ash to collect while I have seen other stoves with three or more times the space for ash to collect. With regard to pellets if I can get good stuff my Napoleon with that little ash pan needs to be cleaned every four days or so runnning 24/7. If I am using bad pellets I can only go two or three days max. Sadly good pellets are hard to find these days...

If quality pellets are an issue in the NE, what does the corn market look like for you guys? I know it's corosive but it works well here and the price is very good right now in comparison with pellets.

I wait until the glass is so dirty I can't see the flame, then I shut 'er down for a complete clean. This is about every 12 days/15 bags. I'm burning Dejnos.

First year with a pellet stove.
Love the heat!
We are burning the high ash Athens.

Knock clunkers from front of burn pot 3-5 times a day. Let it go at night.
Scrape burn pot about once/week.
Empty ash pan; vacuum and clean glass every 1.5 weeks.

This cleaning schedule can be cut back with low ash pellets.
70 gal of oil burned since mid October.