need slippery hopper trick

[dubbz]

I bought a refurb englander pellet insert from andy at am fm energy about a month ago. Just started using it last week (getting chilly in NE PA) and love it already! Are there any other tricks to getting the pellets to slide to the auger better? Also new to the igniter after using gel starter for 19 years with my old Breckwell. How long can I expect the igniter to last before needing replacement? Thanks for any advice.

 

[briansol]

clean it super good and then wipe it with wax paper.

do NOT use any flamable lubes like oils, etc.

 

[SXIPro]

Yep, wax paper is the way to go.

 

[kofkorn]

I lined mine with aluminum duct tape. It's been there for four years now and I've never had the pellets stack up.

I would definitely suggest using this method.

 

[humphreydog]

My 2010 Englander insert need a new igniter after 1 year. I do use a thermostat so it cycles on and off. My previous insert (Whitfield) igniter worked great for several seasons (never replaced it).

 

[krooser]

You can try powdered graphite...

 

[dubbz]

Thanks everybody for the advice , I'm going to try the waxed paper first.

 

[ericofmaine]

As for the ignitor, I'm on year 4 and its still going strong. Mine is also on a thermostat, but unlike Humphreydog, my stove only does Hi-Lo based on the stat, not on-off.

Eric