Black glass

[claybe]

I am new to the pellet stove burning side of things. I got an earth stove used and have begun burning with it. I know I am missing one of the ceramic logs. Depending on the configuration of the one big log and two little logs I get different areas of my glass that turn very black. How do I keep the glass clean? Do I need to buy another large log???

 

[Hoot23]

Did ya strip it and clean everything before firing it up? What type of pellets are you burning?

 

[claybe]

Yes, cleaned everything from inside to out. Burning Lowes brand green something or another.

 

[subsailor]

Yes, cleaned everything from inside to out. Burning Lowes brand green something or another.

Green Supreme or Greene Team?

 

[imacman]

Yes, cleaned everything from inside to out.....

So, this means you pulled both blowers and cleaned them, cleaned out any ash traps that are behind the firebox and blew it out with compressed air, checked that the door gasket is sealed tightly, made sure both blowers run correctly, and made sure that if the motors had oiling ports that you gave each one 3-4 drops of electric motor oil (or 3 in1)?

 

[DexterDay]

So, this means you pulled both blowers and cleaned them, cleaned out any ash traps that are behind the firebox and blew it out with compressed air, checked that the door gasket is sealed tightly, made sure both blowers run correctly, and made sure that if the motors had oiling ports that you gave each one 3-4 drops of electric motor oil (or 3 in1)?

Yep.. If you didn't clean it like imacman suggested. Then you should get started.

That's likely an older unit that needs a good service and complete exhaust path clean (small passages inside that lead to combustion blower)

The logs are not needed and really only get in the way. I would remove them and save them for Summer use only (gives you something to look at) the Black glass is an indicator of a bad burn. Which means there is to much fuel or to little air. I am guessing to little air.

 

[claybe]

So, this means you pulled both blowers and cleaned them, cleaned out any ash traps that are behind the firebox and blew it out with compressed air, checked that the door gasket is sealed tightly, made sure both blowers run correctly, and made sure that if the motors had oiling ports that you gave each one 3-4 drops of electric motor oil (or 3 in1)?

Did all of this except the oil and gasket. My guess is the gasket which I will check next.

 

[claybe]

So, this means you pulled both blowers and cleaned them, cleaned out any ash traps that are behind the firebox and blew it out with compressed air, checked that the door gasket is sealed tightly, made sure both blowers run correctly, and made sure that if the motors had oiling ports that you gave each one 3-4 drops of electric motor oil (or 3 in1)?

Did all of this except the oil and gasket. My guess is the gasket which I will check next. Where can you get a new gasket?

 

[claybe]

Green Supreme or Greene Team?

Green Team

 

[Mike D]

The GTs could also be part of the problem. They are really good pellets except for the really cold days, but they get my glass dirty too. It's just a trade off I live with and I wipe the glass clean each week I clean it out. I have also found that I get more ash buildup when burning the stove on low. If I turn up the heat they seem to burn cleaner with less buildup.

Do you have an outside air kit (OAK) hooked up? How is the ash content?

 

[Lake Girl]

I agree with Dexter on removing the logs - you'd get a better idea of what your flame is doing. Interesting that your dark spot changes with configuration of logs - are they interferring with the burn, pushing unburned particles out toward the glass, and not allowing for further combustion and/or overpowering the airwash?

PS include your stove type in your signature

 

[claybe]

Sorry, just looked again and the pellets are green TREE. It is really cold here now. I do not have an OAK. I think the logs were preventing the flame from going to the air leak and now that they are reconfigured the flame can get to the leaky gasket easier. It looks like the black area is going to the air being let it by a faulty read old gasket.

 

[Defiant]

Sorry, just looked again and the pellets are green TREE. It is really cold here now. I do not have an OAK. I think the logs were preventing the flame from going to the air leak and now that they are reconfigured the flame can get to the leaky gasket easier. It looks like the black area is going to the air being let it by a faulty read old gasket.

 

[Lake Girl]

Sorry, just looked again and the pellets are green TREE. It is really cold here now. I do not have an OAK. I think the logs were preventing the flame from going to the air leak and now that they are reconfigured the flame can get to the leaky gasket easier. It looks like the black area is going to the air being let it by a faulty read old gasket.

Install an OAK if at all possible as the stove may not be getting enough air for combustion ie other appliances drawing room air especially if house is fairly air tight. Replace your gasket... don't want smoke to be able to escape into your room. Do you have smoke and CO detectors? (we have the linked ones kidde puts out, less than 10 years old for smoke det, if older get a new one and toss the old one). I'm sure you know this since you were a wood burner but just reminding Surge protection ... search the old threads for recommendations. The folks on the forum like picks of installs or they claim it never happened

Green Tree - hard or soft wood?