Englander 55-SHP22 ash pile up

[BackDoc]

I have an older Englander that I bought last season for next to nothing. I bought it untested. The guy said the top auger became noisy and there was no way to lube it. Got it for $250. Did some research on this forum and had some help from Ssycho on getting it going. Took my time and pulled it apart and cleaned everything. The top auger was new but whoever installed it had put it in wrong and the grease fitting was at 12 o'clock and you couldn't lube it. I loosened the collar and turned it to the left and lubed her up and it runs great. I plugged the two large holes in the burn pot and have been running it at 2/9 with great results. The bottom numbers are factory set. I now wake up in the morning to what you see in the photo. Lots of ash build up. The flame isn't lazy it is just that I took the photo with the door open so you can see the pile up. Any suggestions?

 

[ericofmaine]

My 25-PDV will do the same thing if I leave it unattended. I just scoop it out once or twice a day with a metal 2" putty knife and throw the clinkers off to the side.

Eric

 

[Ssyko]

Yep what Eric said. From what ive run across so far this year pellets are all a little dirtyer than in the past. So keep an i on it and scrape as needed and may have to adjust your cleaning schedule also.

 

[jerrieric]

I had a 55 SHP for five or more years it worked great. Then the pellets started building in the firr pot and I could never get it fixed. I replaced both blowers did everything I could. I worked with Englander but they couldn't figure it out either. They kept saying it wasn't the board well if it wasn't the board it was either the auger was going bad and it was not syncing up with the board or the board was bad. I got tired of playing with it. I never replaced the board and just gave it away. Never heard from the person I gave it to. If the stoves are worth their grain and saw no matter what pellets you put in it they should burn fine they may just be a little more ass. My current stove I put eight tons through and the pot is always clear after 5 days when I clean it. So is the glass so I'm pretty content right now. This is my fourth and last pellet stove I hope.

 

[BackDoc]

Thanks, that is what I have been doing. I have a piece of metal with a 90 on the end and I just scoop forward and keep on burning. I burn Lignetics Gold. For what I have invested in it I am more than happy. Thanks for the advice.

 

[MountainDweller]

Good evening,

I usually attribute ash production to the pellets themselves in terms of quantity, but that chunky looking ash pile looks like it isn’t getting hot enough either due to over feeding or low air.

Is the glass getting prematurely dirty with soot? This might not be as pronounced with the good pellets but a bag of cheapies might give you a better indication.

I’d be inclined to check for obstructions in the intake/exhaust path as a first step.


Best,

Nathan

 

[BackDoc]

Nathan,
Thank. The intake/exhaust is clean and free. The glass gets dirty after about 3 days. I am burning Lignetics Gold as I have found any pellets that are abnormally long (most every other pellet I tried) will block the feed chute. I don't think it is over feeding because I am running on setting 2 for pellet feed. Then only thing I noticed is that the Lig Gold pellets seem to have a little more loose saw dust in them.

 

[doghouse]

Welcome to the wonderful world of two-auger Englanders. For the most part, that's the way it is. There are burn pot modifications you can try, but, well. The stoves do throw heat, regardless of the build-up.

Below is the "proper" Englander burn pot cleaner/scraper.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Corona-Egrip-7-25-in-Stainless-Steel-Hand-Trowel/50224755

 

[lsucet]

Did you check the numbers on the board. 6-5-1 or whatever is according to the model? They have other settings too that are in letters, A B C D or it can be numbers also 1-2-3-4. check those and be sure you have the right settings for your model year.

 

[BackDoc]

Yes, Ssyko walked me through those numbers on another forum.

 

[lsucet]

Yes, Ssyko walked me through those numbers on another forum.

Did you adjust the plate inside the hopper? The one on top of auger.

 

[BackDoc]

Yes, I got a little motivated yesterday and cleaned it really well and plugged another air hole and blocked the air holes on the front end of the ash plate. It is really cranking well on 2/8 and the ash pile is reduced significantly. I have read about everyone using plugs for the air holes, I just use aluminum foil and it works great.

 

[doghouse]

Hillman chrome plated steel hole plugs. Lowes or HD.

 

[Hot Foot]

I like to use round magnets underneath the wearplate. They are easier to remove and replace than the Hillman plugs. No stove cement or RTV silicone required. I bought mine at the Home Depot.

MASTER MAGNETICS 1/2 in. Dia Black Disc Magnet (10 per Pack)
(broken link removed)

 

[doghouse]

How long do they last?

 

[Hot Foot]

I've had mine on for two years so far. They cover the holes under the wear plate where the air intake comes into the burnpot. They are out of the fire, so they won't crack.

MASTER MAGNETICS 1/2 in. Dia Black Disc Magnet (10 per Pack)
(broken link removed)