Ok , if I recall correctly I read something quite a while back on the sticky (creosote) problem with some older Harmans. Mine is from 2004.
I pulled the auger today just to check on the new auger I installed in january. The old one`s tip was burned off about a 1/2" (total disintegrated) and I wanted to see if this one was still as new.
It seemed just fine. I did see some evidence of a slight carbon film up to the second flight but I think that is normal since it`s a push feed system.
Anyway I decided to do a close inspection of the tube back to the hopper slide plate.
What i discovered was a build up of sticky semi hard gooey light brown stuff and some black harder stuff ( creosote)a couple inches back in the tube ,not a whole lot ,only a small section maybe only 10-15% of the tube and only at the 4-5 oclock position looking into the tube from the front. It went from the tip of ther auger back to the pellet shute opening and up to the leading bottom edge (approx 1/4" wide) of the slide plate which I had to remove to see it.
It all scraped off easily except in the tube where I had to scrape the harder creosote deposits.
Evidently I caught it all in time and maybe prevented the possibility of a hopper fire in the future.
I guess this will add to my yearly cleaning regimen .
If anyone wants to add anything ,or has experience , or advice on this issue I`d sure be glad to listen to what you have to say.
I pulled the auger today just to check on the new auger I installed in january. The old one`s tip was burned off about a 1/2" (total disintegrated) and I wanted to see if this one was still as new.
It seemed just fine. I did see some evidence of a slight carbon film up to the second flight but I think that is normal since it`s a push feed system.
Anyway I decided to do a close inspection of the tube back to the hopper slide plate.
What i discovered was a build up of sticky semi hard gooey light brown stuff and some black harder stuff ( creosote)a couple inches back in the tube ,not a whole lot ,only a small section maybe only 10-15% of the tube and only at the 4-5 oclock position looking into the tube from the front. It went from the tip of ther auger back to the pellet shute opening and up to the leading bottom edge (approx 1/4" wide) of the slide plate which I had to remove to see it.
It all scraped off easily except in the tube where I had to scrape the harder creosote deposits.
Evidently I caught it all in time and maybe prevented the possibility of a hopper fire in the future.
I guess this will add to my yearly cleaning regimen .
If anyone wants to add anything ,or has experience , or advice on this issue I`d sure be glad to listen to what you have to say.
