Should I get my stove professionally cleaned?

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99miles

New Member
Sep 19, 2009
9
Portland, OR
I got a Harman XXV last year and it is been through one season, with close to 2 tons of pellets through it. I got a call from the dealer offering to clean it for $189. Is this something I need to do? I did the basic cleaning in spring, but I just vacuumed out the inside, that's about it.
It sounds like this is something I want to do, but I just wanted to check with y'all.
Thanks!
 
It's not enough to just vacuum out the inside. The instruction manual should give further details. Some disagree, but I think that if you are new to the pellet stove world, have the dealer come out to do the first cleaning. Watch him carefully, and keep good notes. Next year I would do it yourself, assuming you feel comfortable.
 
They should be cleaning the exhaust vent all the way through to the outside air, removing the squirrel cage convection fan and removing lint, cleaning the fine trap, removing sand from the air in take removing the igniter and cleaning the fins, cleaning the vacuum switch in take baffle, removing the esp probe and cleaning it, removing the exhaust housing plate and cleaning the impeller, as well as the blowing out the air wash system for the glass, washing the glass, removing the ash from your property (unless you want it for the garden), . A good technician would also light the stove up and make sure the stove cycled through the startup, let it run for 20 minutes and check the magnehelic pressure with a gauge (you're looking for .32 inches of WC) and then monitor the shut down procedure. This is a very good time to interact with you and answer questions you may not have known to ask when you were buying the stove. I get $245.00-$270 for this service on that stove and it takes me 2 1/2-3 1/2 hrs to complete, plus travel time. Anything less than this amount of effort for $189, you could learn to do it all yourself. If the dealer is in and out in 40 minutes....I wouldn't have them back, IMHO.

When I'm finished the stove runs like it was new. If something is wrong at all....I find it BEFORE IT GETS COLD. Often, I'll find that the stove was NEVER set up by the installing technician and after I'm gone the stove ran better than ever. NOt advertising myself as much to say that if dealers want the exclusivity and want the service...damn it, provide the service the way it's supposed to be done,,,or get out of the service business. ;-)
 
99miles said:
I got a Harman XXV last year and it is been through one season, with close to 2 tons of pellets through it. I got a call from the dealer offering to clean it for $189. Is this something I need to do? I did the basic cleaning in spring, but I just vacuumed out the inside, that's about it.
It sounds like this is something I want to do, but I just wanted to check with y'all.
Thanks!

I have a question: Since I know that you read the owners manual, when you got to the section that says to clean the stove completely after 1 ton ( vacuuming, scraping, removing exhaust blower to clean, etc, etc, etc), why have you waited until 2 tons have gone through it to do a "complete" clean or have it cleaned by someone??

If you just aren't the "handy" type, you should have had it cleaned by the dealer after 1 ton. I agree with newf lover....either have it cleaned by the dealer and watch (take notes?) and do it yourself next time, or just pay the dealer after each ton.

If the dealer includes cleaning the exhaust piping as part of the service, then I think the price he quoted is pretty fair.
 
imacman said:
99miles said:
I got a Harman XXV last year and it is been through one season, with close to 2 tons of pellets through it. I got a call from the dealer offering to clean it for $189. Is this something I need to do? I did the basic cleaning in spring, but I just vacuumed out the inside, that's about it.
It sounds like this is something I want to do, but I just wanted to check with y'all.
Thanks!

I have a question: Since I know that you read the owners manual, when you got to the section that says to clean the stove completely after 1 ton ( vacuuming, scraping, removing exhaust blower to clean, etc, etc, etc), why have you waited until 2 tons have gone through it to do a "complete" clean or have it cleaned by someone??

If you just aren't the "handy" type, you should have had it cleaned by the dealer after 1 ton. I agree with newf lover....either have it cleaned by the dealer and watch (take notes?) and do it yourself next time, or just pay the dealer after each ton.

If the dealer includes cleaning the exhaust piping as part of the service, then I think the price he quoted is pretty fair.

The seasonal cleaning after 1 ton on this stove is unnecessary if you are using a good pellet, even though it is recommended. See pg. 22 of your manual to see what is involved.
 
smwilliamson said:
The seasonal cleaning after 1 ton on this stove is unnecessary if you are using a good pellet, even though it is recommended....

So what you're saying is to disregard what the company that designed & manufactured the stove says?

And as for the "newbie" pellet burner, how do they know they are burning a good pellet? Listen to the pellet dealer (like the one last winter who told a forum member that Infernos were a great pellet)?

IMO, follow the manufacturers directions.
 
I had my dealer come out and clean my stove after two tons... too bad my wife was the only one who was home!

Anyway, have him come and and takes notes as was mentioned... you can do it yourself the next time. the biggest problem I see with having a pellet stove is the dealer's 'customer no-service'.
 
I have to agree with the others. A little vacuuming isn't going to cut it. It might be fine for a while, But in the midst of winter when you really need the heat. It will plug up on you and leave you cold and lonely(wife will head to mom's where its nice and warm!).

Do the right thing now, And schedule it so you can watch the production. Tip him well and do most if not all yourself the next time. This stove will need a similar cleaning after every ton to properly maintain the run-ability and dependability of the stove.
 
imacman said:
smwilliamson said:
The seasonal cleaning after 1 ton on this stove is unnecessary if you are using a good pellet, even though it is recommended....

So what you're saying is to disregard what the company that designed & manufactured the stove says?

And as for the "newbie" pellet burner, how do they know they are burning a good pellet? Listen to the pellet dealer (like the one last winter who told a forum member that Infernos were a great pellet)?

IMO, follow the manufacturers directions.

Harman wants them to use a premium hardwood pellet, but we all from time to time suggest using softwoods. Each stove comes with a fresh air intake, yet we rarely hook it up. The stove is supposed to be set up using a megnehelic gauge, while burning on high for at least 35 minutes, and adjusting the trim control voltage pot to increase or degrease the voltage to the combustion motor for proper air flow. These stoves can go more than a month between cleanings during the winter.

Knowing what to look for and how to solve it; an education often over looked when making the sale. Especially when the install is a third party sub who knows NOTHING about the product.

Read pages 21-24 of the manual. If the stove isn't burning right, chances are you will find it in there. The one part the manual does't show you it the clean out T, which in a Harman is usually more at fault than any aspect of the stove itself. Except for possibly a faulty ESP sensor. I own two Harmans. If I'm burning okies I can go 60 days without even vacuuming.
 
Majority of new stove owners never know about a deep cleaning, most think it all goes in the ash bin.
I found out after the first yr burning 2-3 tons, next fall the auger wouldn't run, blocked exhaust pipe with ash.
 
I went to a pellet stove cleaning class.. and decided to do my own thorough cleaning. It was a disaster I ended up having to replace gaskets and my stove was out of commission for several days. I think I will leave it to the professionals.
 
imacman said:
99miles said:
I got a Harman XXV last year and it is been through one season, with close to 2 tons of pellets through it. I got a call from the dealer offering to clean it for $189. Is this something I need to do? I did the basic cleaning in spring, but I just vacuumed out the inside, that's about it.
It sounds like this is something I want to do, but I just wanted to check with y'all.
Thanks!

I have a question: Since I know that you read the owners manual, when you got to the section that says to clean the stove completely after 1 ton ( vacuuming, scraping, removing exhaust blower to clean, etc, etc, etc), why have you waited until 2 tons have gone through it to do a "complete" clean or have it cleaned by someone??

If you just aren't the "handy" type, you should have had it cleaned by the dealer after 1 ton. I agree with newf lover....either have it cleaned by the dealer and watch (take notes?) and do it yourself next time, or just pay the dealer after each ton.

If the dealer includes cleaning the exhaust piping as part of the service, then I think the price he quoted is pretty fair.

Bit rude tonight, aren't we, mac? 99miles, you gotta make allowances for some city folk, don't give up. My suggestion is, call the dealer back, dicker him down to $160 for the cleaning. Reread your manual, have it in hand when he does the cleaning, and take notes while he's doing it. ASK questions, and if he's good about explaining stuff, tip him $20 when he's done. Next time do it yourself.
BUT, that's just MY opinion, and we know how popular that is around here.
 
hossthehermit said:
imacman said:
99miles said:
I got a Harman XXV last year and it is been through one season, with close to 2 tons of pellets through it. I got a call from the dealer offering to clean it for $189. Is this something I need to do? I did the basic cleaning in spring, but I just vacuumed out the inside, that's about it.
It sounds like this is something I want to do, but I just wanted to check with y'all.
Thanks!

I have a question: Since I know that you read the owners manual, when you got to the section that says to clean the stove completely after 1 ton ( vacuuming, scraping, removing exhaust blower to clean, etc, etc, etc), why have you waited until 2 tons have gone through it to do a "complete" clean or have it cleaned by someone??

If you just aren't the "handy" type, you should have had it cleaned by the dealer after 1 ton. I agree with newf lover....either have it cleaned by the dealer and watch (take notes?) and do it yourself next time, or just pay the dealer after each ton.

If the dealer includes cleaning the exhaust piping as part of the service, then I think the price he quoted is pretty fair.

Bit rude tonight, aren't we, mac? 99miles, you gotta make allowances for some city folk, don't give up. My suggestion is, call the dealer back, dicker him down to $160 for the cleaning. Reread your manual, have it in hand when he does the cleaning, and take notes while he's doing it. ASK questions, and if he's good about explaining stuff, tip him $20 when he's done. Next time do it yourself.
BUT, that's just MY opinion, and we know how popular that is around here.
I agree paying someone to clean your stove after each ton is the crazy way to go . might as well not even use the thing if you got to do all that .
 
hossthehermit said:
My suggestion is, call the dealer back, dicker him down to $160 for the cleaning. Reread your manual, have it in hand when he does the cleaning, and take notes while he's doing it. ASK questions, and if he's good about explaining stuff, tip him $20 when he's done. Next time do it yourself.
BUT, that's just MY opinion, and we know how popular that is around here.

In most cases, the guy you "dicker down" isn't the same guy who will do the actual cleaning. Chances are, he'll tell the service guy to finish quickly, and you won't get the same thoroughness or teaching time. I don't accept tips, but tell the homeowners they are welcome to call the office and thank them for the excellent service, and say you would recommend them to other folks. I feel this better assures being alotted the proper time for the job, as well as answering all the customers questions. We do offer off-season cleaning discounts, which are not rushed, that make the most sense to take advantage of.
 
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