Did the Leaf Blower Trick already

My stove's flame was starting to look a little lazy, so I did the normal cleaning inside the stove. All was good, nothing unusual, it cleaned up easily. I then went outside and ran my 4" brush through the direct vent (with the combustion fan running, stove cold). I was amazed at the amount of ash that came out. I have never gotten this much before. I then fired up the leaf blower, and was again amazed at the amount of ash that came out. My stove was very clean, but I can't get at the passage behind the ash pan without removing the combustion blower; I'm assuming that's where all the ash came from.
The stove is now burning like it should.
My point: While the MWP are much better than last year, as far as heat and odor go (they still have an odd smell, though) the ash is much worse. I usually do the LBT after each ton - I've burned only ½ ton this year, with more ash accumulation, so I'll be out there twice as often.
Well, at least it's pretty easy to do on my setup. And, the house is nice and warm!

I've read somewhere that a clean stove is a happy stove….

Always love hearing of good results after some basic (and not-so-basic) care. As a first-season pellet stove user, I'm looking forward to doing the LBT!

I am afraid to see how much ash will come out when we vent clean next weekend. our new pellets are horrible. only a few more bags to go.

normally with a weeks burn the ash bin is only about 1/4 full.

with the new pellets it is overflowing in a week.

wood fibers suck!

Same thing here - I'm a first year pellet burner but just had to do the LBT after only about half a ton of pellets - flame low/lazy and burn pot too full...back to running like a champ now..kind of happy to know it's happening to others too. My corinth pellets must really suck - I've been switching over to MWP and thinking wow there's hardly any ash...interesting to know that last year was less. The corinths produce all kinds of ash. What is that smell that MWP have...I haven't noticed it with any other pellet.

Which breed are you burning now ? I'm sure it's not Jeds.

X3 on the Wood Fibers.. Clinkers after 1 bag/day....

Longer pellet than i like too..

I'm told it's from the softwoods in them. Last year's MWP really stunk up the entire garage, and had a chemical smell that really reached out and grabbed you. This year's "fragrance", while still pretty strong, is easier to take and smells more like wood to me. Short pellets and very few fines are a plus this year, too.