Mount Vernon AE issue

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davedmaine

Member
Hearth Supporter
Dec 9, 2010
7
Maine
Hi. I recently switched from a softwood to hardwood pellet. The first bag burned fine. But now, I keep getting 'minimum firepot temperature' messages (the hopper is full).. I restart it, it burns fine for a while, and then I get that message again and it shuts down. Seems strange that it would be happening the same time I changed pellets. Any ideas? Thanks,
Dave
 
Did you change the fuel selection on the wall thermostat to hardwood?

"Pellets made from hardwoods (i.e. oak) have a higher ash content
than pellets made from softwoods (i.e. pine). The hardwood
pellets may require more air to burn properly so make sure you
have the wall control on the correct setting."
 
Set it back to hardwood and see what happens.

Eric
 
try utility setting. when was the last time you cleaned the stove and venting?
 
Sounds like it might be a thermocouple issue. Try taking the TC cover off and cleaning under it adjust the TC if needed so its over the firepot. Thinking it might just be a case of 1+1=3. Also, what is your flame height adjustment at? Might try adjusting it up so it feeds more pellets.
 
That was my thought. If it's not working well on the hardwood setting, give the flame height a little boost. Also, make sure the burnpot is clean.
 
That was my thought. If it's not working well on the hardwood setting, give the flame height a little boost. Also, make sure the burnpot is clean.

I've tried all the suggestions aboe and I'm still having the same problem: It will burn for a while and then the 'minimum firepot temperatue" message pops up (the stove is full of pellets). Also, it's taking it a very long time for it to start up..
 
Then either you don't have enough air to keep the fire going, or your stove is not supplying enough pellets to keep the fire going. Either way, clean your stove. In addition I would also empty the hopper out as best you can and clean out both the pellet chute from both inside the stove and stick a vaccum down the hopper. I had a similar problem once and it turned out a jammed auger. Once I cleared the jam it was like I won the jackpot on a slot machine and a whole pile of pellets came out the chute. If its air supply problem then cleaning the stove will help. It certainly won't hurt. Get your manual out and clean all of the areas it talks about in the manual even if you think they won't be dirty.
 
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venting might be clogged and not be allowing air to flow.
 
Hi. I recently switched from a softwood to hardwood pellet. The first bag burned fine. But now, I keep getting 'minimum firepot temperature' messages (the hopper is full).. I restart it, it burns fine for a while, and then I get that message again and it shuts down. Seems strange that it would be happening the same time I changed pellets. Any ideas? Thanks,
Dave

Did you resolve this issue? What was the problem?
 
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