New to pellet stoves house came with it. My stove is making alot of ash as well as black ash. It is vented with double wall pie to a chimney wit a liner. The run is about 25 to 30 ft to the top. My wife and like this unit . I have saw other harmans burn no black ashes. I am concerned about any saftey issues. Anyone with help would be great thank you in advance.
Harman p38 making black ashes
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fmsm
Minister of Fire
When was the last time it was cleaned? Pipe size? Pellet type?
Any change in pellets?
Have you ever had gray ash?
Is the flame tight or lazy?
Any change in pellets?
Have you ever had gray ash?
Is the flame tight or lazy?
Yes there are some grey ashes but alot building up in the burn pot every few hours. The pipe is 4 inch the the stain less liner. Using lignietics there dark colored. Also i neeed to see what a good flame looks like. I am assuming i have a good one. Thanks
superchips
Member
Harman's aren't know for black ash. Black = unburnt fuel.
I would first suspect a plugged OAK (intake air line)
While pellets are burning in the pot, Open a window a little then remove the intake hose and watch the flame. If the OAK is plugged then the flame would get stronger and go from yellow to white with better oxygen.
Good luck
I would first suspect a plugged OAK (intake air line)
While pellets are burning in the pot, Open a window a little then remove the intake hose and watch the flame. If the OAK is plugged then the flame would get stronger and go from yellow to white with better oxygen.
Good luck
kinsmanstoves
Minister of Fire
superchips
Member
superchips said:
Really? You mean I've been burning my P43 & P61A wrong?
P61A in an A-Frame (not a barn) on a lake & I have NO OAK.
P43 heating a studio apartment from a garage (not a barn)
below & NO OAK....
Oh, BTW, No black ashes either. How did I get so lucky
with NO OAK?
superchips
Member
The ashes are gray with black in them but i think i am getting a lot. I have be burning for a week about 10 bags. Looks like she needs to be cleaned already.
wolfie78 said:
How many times have you scraped the burn pot in that time frame?
Should have been done at least 3 times, maybe 4. I scrape both my
Harmans every other day...
fmsm
Minister of Fire
I was ready to spend for a OAK until speaking with a Harman technician AND my service tech who installed my stove and advised against a OAK for my HOUSE, they both said it is not needed for my install. My service tech did COA by saying that the only sure way was to take pressure readings but he felt that would be a waste of my money.
The only reason I was considering this was that my glass gets dirty quickly.
The only reason I was considering this was that my glass gets dirty quickly.
Everyday i scrape them. The whole inside of the fire box has alot of ashes also lots of red coming out of burn pot.
superchips
Member
After 10 bags it should be fairly bad. I recommend that you do a quick clean every day/ bag and empty it at least every 4 days/bags. That ash buildup is going to end up in your exhaust fan and pipes.
You also should consider reading the stoves orpeating manual.
You also should consider reading the stoves orpeating manual.
superchips
Member
He may be right, maybe you don't HAVE TO install the OAK in order for your stove to function.fmsm said:
Maybe your house leaks enough make up air and doesn't have anything else competing for that air.
On the other hand, you are de rating the efficiency of the stove by as much as 20%.
The volume of air being pushed out of the exhaust will be made up mostly by the air that you just paid for to be heated by the stove. Meanwhile, that make up air will have to be sucked into the living space from the outside air.
Lets just say it's ~10` out. How much higher do you think your setting will have to be to make up for that cold air coming in while ~10 to 15% of the heated air is pulled into the intake and pushed out the chimney????
Just my thoughts! But then again, I'm not the one that would have to install it or the person making a profit selling you pellets.
wolfie78 said:
Have you cleared out the holes in the burnpot? Those
where the air for cumbustion has to flow to the pellets...
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