Clinkers & ash build up..?

[vinnyqua]

Hey everyone,
I got a quadrafire classic bay 1200 freestanding. My stove has just recently started to act up a little. I get a lot of clinkers and ash build up in and along side inside of the burn pot. Sometimes I get a lot of unburned pellets at the bottom of the burn pot. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Vinny

 

[GrahamInVa]

We need more info to be able to help.

When is the last time you did a COMPLETE cleaning including the vent?

What brand pellets are you burning?

 

[briansol]

sounds like you're low on air. clean the pipes.

 

[vinnyqua]

The stove is only 2 1/2 months old and only went through almost 1.5 tons. The first ton we used American Pellets and now we ordered 2 tons of Powerhouse pellets which I heard are the same pellets as American pellets but I believe they are different because the color is different and the smell of the powerhouse pellets are more pure wood. I always clean the burn pot, ash pan, baffles and the heat exchangers every 2-4 days.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

The stove is only 2 1/2 months old and only went through almost 1.5 tons. The first ton we used American Pellets and now we ordered 2 tons of Powerhouse pellets which I heard are the same pellets as American pellets but I believe they are different because the color is different and the smell of the powerhouse pellets are more pure wood. I always clean the burn pot, ash pan, baffles and the heat exchangers every 2-4 days.

Venting, ash traps, and certain motor cavities. At about the 1 ton mark depending upon how much ash what you are burning produces. It is all ash dependent.

 

[DobieMom]

Vinny, that's a lot of pellets in 2 months

OK, there's a little rectangle held in place by 2 screws and located in the center of your stove just above the ash pan...needs to be cleaned out if you haven't done that little secret compartment Also, lower right hand side of your stove there is a square held on by 4 screws...LOADS of ash can collect in there, as well as on the combustion fan...that needs to be cleaned out too What is your venting like? I have 4 foot verticle outside with a clean out T...that also most likely needs to be cleaned out. They would be my "check first" suggestions Let us know how it goes!

 

[vinnyqua]

Which pipes on the stove should I clean?

 

[DobieMom]

The only 'pipes' I've cleaned are the heat exchangers...I got a small hard bristle brush with a metal wand that is bent like an L shape that I use to also clean over the top of the heat exchangers. As a side note (wouldn't cause and air issue) but creosote can build up on your heat exchangers and should be cleaned off periodically.

 

[vinnyqua]

Hey DobieMom,
Well we use it as a main source of heat on our main floor of our house and keep it on high and runs off of a thermostat set on 70. It works great. I have the stove vented straight out my wall horizontally. We actually went through 1 ton and about 10 bags, not 1.5. I will look for that secret compartment, is it underneath the burn pot through the ash pan?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

On the quads you also have to make certain the burn pot holes get cleaned out regularly.

 

[DobieMom]

Right Smokey! I figure that's a 'given

Vinny, the access to that little compartment is dead center on the FRONT OUTSIDE of your stove...just below the glass door and just above the top edge of your ash pan ...it's where your igniter is located

 

[vinnyqua]

Here is how I have my pellet stove setup. I custom built the hearth.

 

[vinnyqua]

Smokey... I clean out the holes as well.. Thanks... Dobie, I will check that when I get home and let you know how it works when im done. Thanks all.

 

[DobieMom]

Nice looking hearth Vinny Ummm, I don't see a surge protector for your stove?? That's really a must to protect your investment

 

[barnyard840x]

Like smokey said,theres an air restriction somewhere. Have you cleaned the ash from you flu yet? Try the leaf blower trick too.my buddy has a quad and has never had any issues with clinkers,though most times he keeps it really clean i have seen it burning just fine really dirty. Gonna ahve to clean it with a fine toothed comb. Lots of tlc and she should be burning good again.if not theres a leaky gasket somewhere.in that case break out the dollar bill for a test

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

You should think about putting that on a surge protector.

 

[barnyard840x]

Yes,surge protectors areva must when you have micro processors in your stove.any voltage spike can potentaly fry your motherboard(circuit board). Good eye!
;-P

 

[vinnyqua]

Yes I know. I'm gonna grab one next time I goto home depot.