Burning Dirty and clinkers

[Clay H]

Ok, I am starting to wonder if there is something wrong with my stove. I finally got some quality pellets and I assumed the glass wouldnt turn black so fast and the clinkers would go away.
I'm using Greenway pellets and I was told these are top shelf. Should I check on something in particular on the stove that maybe malfunctioning to cause the issues?

 

[fmsm]

I had tried a few bags of McFeeters last year and liked them, bought a ton this year and have just started burning them about a week ago. My glass has never been cleaner but it is clinker city. My entire burnpot after 4 days was full of nothing but clinkers. I'm not sure what to do....I should add that my LaCretes have been making my glass dirtier than the Barefoots I burned last year but the burnpot had been spotless!

 

[JoeS]

Funny I am having the same issue with American Wood Fibers White Pine Pellets.

The heat is great and the ash is super low but the glass is turning black on the left side of the stove (right if facing it).

Never had this before to this extent.

Trying all sorts of settings but can't seem to find a sweet spot.

Problem with the Mt. Vernon and everything being preprogrammed.

Wondering if I have a stove issue as well!

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Do you have a feed trim or air trim on that stove. You need a bit more air or a bit less pellet feed.

 

[fmsm]

Do you have a feed trim or air trim on that stove. You need a bit more air or a bit less pellet feed.

My Harman is all computer controlled. I feel helpless.........

 

[jtakeman]

The P35i should have a feed dial. Where is it at right now?

 

[rparker]

Am burning the McFeeters now and have the same issue. Great heat, not much ash but have never had a hockey puck clinker before. Granted there were holes through it where the burn pot holes are and didn't have any issue getting it out. But I am also partly to blame because I went for almost a week without pulling the burn pot trap door. And it wasn't a hard clinker, more like a soft pumice. Easy to break up.
Am going to try reducing the feed and see what developes.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

My Harman is all computer controlled. I feel helpless.........

I was responding to the Mt Vernon owner.

Your stove shouldn't be having any real issues wit hclinkers it should push them out of the way if your feed is not causing the controller to hold back.

 

[hooter04]

JOE what fuel type setting do you have it at Hardwood,softwood?

 

[fmsm]

I was responding to the Mt Vernon owner.

Your stove shouldn't be having any real issues wit hclinkers it should push them out of the way if your feed is not causing the controller to hold back.

I have my setting on 4.5 and it is not pushing them out of the way. I am thinking that perhaps it is because I am running the stove on manual and even when it is hardly burning the McFeeters are hot enough to keep some heat going and it is never really "cranking" up. I'm going to leave it on automatic to see if that helps.

 

[jtakeman]

I have my setting on 4.5 and it is not pushing them out of the way. I am thinking that perhaps it is because I am running the stove on manual and even when it is hardly burning the McFeeters are hot enough to keep some heat going and it is never really "cranking" up. I'm going to leave it on automatic to see if that helps.

Turn it down to 3.5 to 4

 

[fmsm]

Turn it down to 3.5 to 4

Will do, thanks

 

[JoeS]

JOE what fuel type setting do you have it at Hardwood,softwood?

Hardwood at the moment. Softwood seem to make it worse. Sunflower seed is the best but that is even giving me a dirty burn. Never had a problem before finding a sweet spot. Right now hardwood setting, -2 feed and high elevation and it is burning fairly clean.

 

[Clay H]

My St. Croix has 1-6 on the feed rate and I use it on either 2 or 3 depending on how cold it gets. I have a air trim also and I open it all the way and then close it just a touch untill the flame shows a little less violence but not untill it becomes completely lazy. Maybe I should open it more? The wasnt an issue in years past so I'm wondering if it has to do with the pellets?

 

[Clay H]

Another thing about my stove, its on a thermostat and I have it on the smartstat setting so once the temperature is satisfied, it turns down to 1 on the pellet feed and continues run for 1 hour to avoid having to ignite all over again if the temp falls below set temp within that hour. I wonder if this is causing the dirty glass? It helps to give a longer igniter life so thats why I use it that way.