Running rich or lean, black or brown glass - advice please

StrangeRanger · Nov 3, 2009

Sorry to rehash this topic, but I just went back through some old posts about damper adjustments and gunk on the glass and realized the info in the thread was countering itself. But I'm still learning damper adjustments and could use some pointers.

In a thread from last year one poster suggested that if the glass is getting brown and it's hard to get off, that I should open the damper more.

But then a couple posts under that someone else suggests that if the glass is getting brown and hard to clean it means the stove is running lean, too much air for the amount of fuel. So that would indicate to close the damper some.

And if the glass is black and gunky it's too rich - indicating open the damper some.

So, can anyone chime in on this? I know I'm shooting for easy to remove grey ash, and I have some of that, but I'm generally getting the brown, PITA to remove type of build up. So is the vote for I'm running lean and close the damper or...???

Thanks,
j

hossthehermit · Nov 3, 2009

StrangeRanger said:
Sorry to rehash this topic, but I just went back through some old posts about damper adjustments and gunk on the glass and realized the info in the thread was countering itself. But I'm still learning damper adjustments and could use some pointers.

In a thread from last year one poster suggested that if the glass is getting brown and it's hard to get off, that I should open the damper more.

But then a couple posts under that someone else suggests that if the glass is getting brown and hard to clean it means the stove is running lean, too much air for the amount of fuel. So that would indicate to close the damper some.

And if the glass is black and gunky it's too rich - indicating open the damper some.

So, can anyone chime in on this? I know I'm shooting for easy to remove grey ash, and I have some of that, but I'm generally getting the brown, PITA to remove type of build up. So is the vote for I'm running lean and close the damper or...???

Thanks,
j

You're gonna get dark crap on the glass. Open the door while it's hot, running on low, with gloves on, give it a wipe with a DRY paper towel. Close the door. Every day. Takes 11 seconds, when you're putting in pellets anyway. When you shut it down for a full cleaning, let it cool down, use a damp paper towel, dip it in some ash, give it a wipe, dry it with a dry paper towel. BUT, that's just MY opinion

hearthtools · Nov 3, 2009

The more are you can get the better. a higher air to fuel will have a cleaner burn.
as long as pellet do not pop out of the pot or that the pellets dont burn up to fast on lower feeds.

Black soot is bad
Gray or brown is OK.
if you are getting a sticky build up then that could be you are running the stove on low for long times and the stove never gets hot enough to burn off the crap.
or you have some draft issues.

jtakeman · Nov 3, 2009

StrangeRanger said:
Sorry to rehash this topic, but I just went back through some old posts about damper adjustments and gunk on the glass and realized the info in the thread was countering itself. But I'm still learning damper adjustments and could use some pointers.

In a thread from last year one poster suggested that if the glass is getting brown and it's hard to get off, that I should open the damper more.

But then a couple posts under that someone else suggests that if the glass is getting brown and hard to clean it means the stove is running lean, too much air for the amount of fuel. So that would indicate to close the damper some.

And if the glass is black and gunky it's too rich - indicating open the damper some.

So, can anyone chime in on this? I know I'm shooting for easy to remove grey ash, and I have some of that, but I'm generally getting the brown, PITA to remove type of build up. So is the vote for I'm running lean and close the damper or...???

Thanks,
j

The proper way to adjust the damper can be done in 2 ways. One is to watch the pellets in the burn pot. Adjust the damper till they start to dance around. To much damper and they will jump out of the burn pot.

Second way is with the flame. Lazy orange flame is to little damper. You will also notice black tips on the flame(this will give black glass). Adjust the damper until the flame turns more yellow and no black tips. Flame will be more like a torch.

Some pellet seem to just burn dirty and you can open the damper till they jump out of the burnpot. You still may get black or brown tar on the glass.

Personally I use both methods. The flame watch for the lower settings where there doesn't seem to be enough air to make them dance. And the pellet dance for the medium to high settings where there is more than enough air flow to dance them. But I still watch the flame.

jay

krooser · Nov 3, 2009

You want a white or light gray ash on the glass... that indicates a perfect air/fuel ratio.

If you're running on #1 you will probably get a black, sooty glass. If you have a lot of soot running at a higher setting you'll need more air.

If you have a brown, sticky film the stove is getting too much air.

I haven't touched my damper setting in two years... I generally use the same pellets and leave it alone. My dealer advised I do this and it has worked well for me.

imacman · Nov 3, 2009

I agree with all the posters above....the method i prefer is the one mentioned by Jay, if you have a stove that has adjustable air intake. Just get those pellets "dancin" a little in the burn pot, and you should be pretty close. Fine adjustments after that, hopefully will give you a nice active flame, with a little blue at the base and nice yellow/white tips.

Glass should be very light brown/gray.

StrangeRanger · Nov 4, 2009

I figured for now my issue was that we're pretty much just burning on low (1) as it's not been cold enough to turn it up. Just getting ready for the season ya know. Thanks for the tips all.
j

Fsappo · Nov 4, 2009

hearthtools said:
The more are you can get the better. a higher air to fuel will have a cleaner burn.
as long as pellet do not pop out of the pot or that the pellets dont burn up to fast on lower feeds.

Black soot is bad
Gray or brown is OK.
if you are getting a sticky build up then that could be you are running the stove on low for long times and the stove never gets hot enough to burn off the crap.
or you have some draft issues.

In regards to the "more air the better" remark. Here is an honest question. If most pellet stoves run at a 35-1 air to fuel ratio, and the Paromax Europa runs at a 10-1 ratio, how is it that the Europa burns so much more efficient than a typical biomass stove? Claude at Paromax tells me the key to burning efficiently is to obtain clean combustions with the least amount of air possible..or at least thats how I understood it. Not looking to hijack the thread, maybe I can start a new one to ask that question to Hearthtools

in-control · Nov 4, 2009

The glass is going to get ash and stuff on it as it is part of the burn chamber and the stuff is flying all over the place. I clean my stove every 3-4 bags(Mfg. rec.) and clean the glass, most of it comes off with the vacume brush attachment. I use a wet clean cloth towel w/windex or warm water, make sure the glass has cooled down, I make that the last thing that I do when i'm cleaning.

Fsappo · Nov 4, 2009

I will, Sugar, but I will start a new thread so this one will stay on track.

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Running rich or lean, black or brown glass - advice please

StrangeRanger

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hossthehermit

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hearthtools

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