OK guys, I have read many post here on cleaning. I still don't have it down pat!! I did buy a leaf blower but havn't used it yet. But for inside I have been using our house vaccum and I would like to get away from using that. Today I used my new shop vac, ( already had it never used it yet ) but it is only a craftsman 2 gal. 1.5 h.p. I ran the exhaust pipe out the window so the exhaust would not be in the house. It was not near enough suction. So what size does everyone use to clean the pellet stove from inside the house? I bought pipe and fittings to reduce the pipe down small to get in those hard to reach areas. That is when I had hardly any suction!! What do you guys use to reduce the pipe down to get hard to reach areas? I always had trouble this year with black burning ( this my 4th year ) but one day I cleaned it and a bunch ( more than usual ) smoke filled the burn area before igniting and POOF, it ignited but blew dust out the back. Either the draft pipe or the intake at the bottom. I have a St. Croix. Since then it has been burning like it did when it was NEW!! Yes I have taken out the motor and cleaned the blades and down in that hole. ( on the left side of the stove ) What do you think exploded and cleaned itself? Whatever it was I need to clean this area. I always clean out the 2 fly trap doors. Yes at times I take the bricks out and beat on the steel plates to knock the soot down to the trap doors. When you pull the bottom rod out to drop the ash in to the pan is there an area here that needs sucked out? How does that air get to the burn pot? Is there a little tunnel here coming from the blower in the back? Sorry if I don't reply but I have to leave at 6:15. But I will read all replys Thanks