PelPro PP70 - Chimney Clogged after 3 weeks of use

[Bob678]

Hey I am new to pellet stoves, had my Chimney completely redone in June 2021 including new liner and cap. Bought a new pelpro pp70 pellet stove had it installed in my basement and purchased 1 ton of Matra Softwood (pine) Pellets. Been running the stove for about 3 weeks, no more than 12 hours per day. Been cleaning the unit every day prior to use. Well, all of a sudden one night smelled something burning. Went to the stove and shut it off. Went outside to fine hit embers coming out of the chimney. I eventually called the fire department to make sure there was no active chimney fire or anything smoldering. Fire department said that the chimney liner extremely clogged. How could this be as we just started burning pellets? Everything brand new. Is it the pellets I am burning or is it the pellet stove, such as an airflow issue? I am having a chimney company coming out but wanted to get other feedback as well. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mt Bob]

Not buying it.If stove was burning that bad,it would not run,or/and you would have many complaints.
Burning a wood stove in the new liner before the pellet stove,I would believe. Packing left inside the liner I would believe. New liner installed in a dirty chimney I would believe.

 

[johneh]

Not buying it.If stove was burning that bad,it would not run,or/and you would have many complaints.
Burning a wood stove in the new liner before the pellet stove,I would believe. Packing left inside the liner I would believe. New liner installed in a dirty chimney I would believe.

X2
Been using my stove for 20 years clean the chimney once a year
about 4 cups of ash. Don't think it was ash had to be something else

 

[Bob678]

Thanks very much for the replies gentlemen. What I also should have added is that the Matra softwood pellets seem to be dirty when they burn. I clean the stove out (shop vac, brush, spray for glass) within 2 hours of burning, the glass is black with ash. Seems like that shouldn't be happening.

 

[Mt Bob]

Thanks very much for the replies gentlemen. What I also should have added is that the Matra softwood pellets seem to be dirty when they burn. I clean the stove out (shop vac, brush, spray for glass) within 2 hours of burning, the glass is black with ash. Seems like that shouldn't be happening.

That usually happens when a flue or chimney is already restricted.

 

[Jeremy6500]

Thanks very much for the replies gentlemen. What I also should have added is that the Matra softwood pellets seem to be dirty when they burn. I clean the stove out (shop vac, brush, spray for glass) within 2 hours of burning, the glass is black with ash. Seems like that shouldn't be happening.

Like others have said, that is usually an airflow issue. Most the time on the exhaust side.

I have a PP130 (same as yours just bigger). When I first moved in to the property before I had the cleaning/maintenance figured out I would have issues similar to what you have said.

Since I got better with the cleaning, my glass will stay clean for days of constant use after a cleaning.

For reference, if my stove is burning 24/7 I shut it down every few days to dump the burn pot. Even then the burn pot is not even close to being full of ash etc. I vacuum it out and clean the glass about once a week. Once or twice a month I hook my leaf blower to the outside vent and suck all the ash out of it.

Prior to figuring out the cleaning routine/process I had to dump the burn pot every 1-2 days or else it would overflow.

 

[Bob678]

Do you think Trim Adjustment would work. Just had the chimney company come they cleaned and che ked everything. There was no blockage in the chimney/liner, just a lot of soot. No creosote build up in anything. They don't know what could have caused burning embers coming out of the chimney. Air intake on the stove is on the back it pulls Air from the basement, it is un-obstructed and clear all around. At this point it's either the pellets (which I am having a hard time believing since there are significant reviews from others who only have positive experiences), or maybe I need to adjust the trim.

Thank you again for all who are responding to this, what a great community of people!

 

[Mt Bob]

So the chimney was not clogged, did they check the new stove pipe?

 

[Bob678]

Yup they checked that no issues, no build up or anything.

 

[Mt Bob]

OK,well,they are known for quality issues, being new you could take it back and get another one.
If you want to try stuff, take off the air intake hose, look way up in there and make sure. Try stove with it off. If doesn't help,turn trim all the way counter clockwise. Remove center panel in fire box, look up into the air chambers for any obstructions that might have got left behind during assembly. The next step would involve taking the combustion motor out, and looking forward for obstructions/ damage, BUT by this point,if nothing has helped, you should call them(manufacturer), You could have a motor not running at proper speed, or a defective controller(not the dial). They actually are pretty good about knowing the failures of their products, and fast shipping parts to customers.

 

[tlc1976]

On mine if I run too much air, more ash will make its way to the chimney instead of staying in the firebox. I normally clean my chimney once a ton, or about 2 months. Maybe every month if I’m running hard like some very cold January or February. And my pellets burn very clean.

An extremely dirty pellet, running full bore, I can see it maybe. Then it starved for air, and created creosote. Mine errors out and shuts down if it can’t get enough air.

 

[Jeremy6500]

From my personal experience with a PP stove and you saying that your glass is getting dirty within a day.......I would bet $$ it is an air flow issue.

1. I used some nasty pellets from a local store for a bit last year. They cakes up my fire box and I had to scrape the inside of my exhaust fan area because there was so much crap from them my POF sensor wouldn't read a flame. All this to say that bad pellets is a possibility, but I don't think it is probable.
2. If your stove and vent pipe were not new I would double down on a dirty stove or exhaust pipe. With it being new it makes me ting that it might have something to do with your installation. Either vent pipe geometry or possibly size.
3. I agree that you need to contact the manufacturer NOW. It may not end up being a warranty issue, but don't miss the boat if it is. An exhaust fan not pulling enough draft could cause the issue you are seeing.

 

[Montecarlossfan]

Thanks very much for the replies gentlemen. What I also should have added is that the Matra softwood pellets seem to be dirty when they burn. I clean the stove out (shop vac, brush, spray for glass) within 2 hours of burning, the glass is black with ash. Seems like that shouldn't be happening.

As others have said something is right with the stove or setup. I've had an entire ton of Matra through my insert before I had to clean it.This year I have Wood and Sons which is Eastern white pine such as Matra , barely any ash as well.

Even burning home depot pellets 24/7 I go a few weeks between cleanings.

Get the manufacturer involved or a reputable stove shop to take a look at the install.

 

[alexH]

i know this is a older post, but really curious what Bob678 has done since?