ash buildup - is this normal?

[sandman460]

Here's a pic of the ash buildup around the burn pot of my Big E after roughly 12 hours of burning. These pellets are Homewood brand "premium wood pellets'. I'm experimenting with pellets, this is my first stove so I'm not sure what to expect. I'm trying bags here and there before I go out and buy a ton or 3. I've run a few bags of Pennington's through the stove, and the ash buildup didn't seem quite this excessive, and it was a finer, less coarse ash. I've got a good, upright flame, without black tips, so I think it's burning pretty clean.

I have not checked the vent for ash buildup yet, nor the doors in the back of the burn chamber. I've got roughly 60 hours of burn time on it, and the ash pan is no where near full, so I assume that's a good sign .

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Saltair]

I had great luck with Homewoods. I would love to get my hands on some more. They burned clean, the ash left the burn pot, and the heat was good. I cant find anymore though.

 

[sandman460]

OH yeah, I have no problem with ash build up IN the burn pot. I'm just wondering if this buildup shown is "normal". The burnpot is staying relatively clean.

 

[krooser]

Looks about right... a soft wood may give you a little less ash.

Most guys would clean this stove each day but I usually only give mine a light cleaning once per week. The versa-grate in my St. Croix keeps the burn pot pretty clean so you don't have to clean it as often unless you get a lot of clinkers.

 

[rove44]

I also have a Big-E i use New England Wood Pellet brand i have about the same amount of ash after a day or two. Just recently i've noticed the burn pot has a little more build up in it.

 

[sandman460]

So far I've gotten no clinkers (knock on wood -haha). I turn it off during the day, and run it over night. I know, paranoia on my part. I scrape around the burn pot and the inside of the burn pot out every evening before lighting, and it seems to be working quite well.

Thanks for the replies. Any tips let me know.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Here's a pic of the ash buildup around the burn pot of my Big E after roughly 12 hours of burning. These pellets are Homewood brand "premium wood pellets'. I'm experimenting with pellets, this is my first stove so I'm not sure what to expect. I'm trying bags here and there before I go out and buy a ton or 3. I've run a few bags of Pennington's through the stove, and the ash buildup didn't seem quite this excessive, and it was a finer, less coarse ash. I've got a good, upright flame, without black tips, so I think it's burning pretty clean.

I have not checked the vent for ash buildup yet, nor the doors in the back of the burn chamber. I've got roughly 60 hours of burn time on it, and the ash pan is no where near full, so I assume that's a good sign .

Your thoughts?

Thanks,
Pat

Right on target. Fire for effect.

Eric

 

[stoveguy2esw]

looks real good to me , especially since the pot itself is quite clean , ash pattern on the back wall looks real good too. i'd say the stove is burning very well.