ESP Cleaning

[Melissa220]

Continuing to read and learn here and I have a question:

There is nothing in my manual about 'cleaning' the ESP and I know this is a very sensitive and delicate part of the stove and damaging it must be avoided.

I have cleaned my stove in each of the last two weekends and have noticed that the ESP is covered in fly ash. Should this be delicately brushed with a soft bristle paint brush during cleaning?

 

[subsailor]

If you can reach it, yes.

 

[New Hampshire Jim]

There Is a bolt that holds the ESP probe on the exhaust pipe of the stove. If you remove It you can take the probe out and wipe It with a paper towel with a little windex on It . I do this with my Harman Advance about once or twice a heating season.I have never heard or seen a ESP being covered with fly ash In a weeks time. Are we talking about the same thing?

 

[Melissa220]

yes. my ESP is located in the flue and is accessible when I take the the blower cover off. I've been burning for about three weeks and have not cleaned the ESP as the installers essentially put the fear of...whatever....in me by emphasizing how delicate it was and don't damage it! It's not thickly coated, but I would like it to be as clean as the rest of the stove once I'm done cleaning. Might as well include that while I'm in there!

 

[P38X2]

Yes, but you're gonna have to tape a paint stick on it, or some other extension to reach it.

I use a nylon bottle brush. You can get em at most hardware stores. Be careful your first time cleaning the ESP. Once you run a brush over it, you'll get the feel for how delicate it ISN'T. I mean, don't stab at it like there's a tarantula in there but there's no reason to fear breaking it off. Use a flashlight and common sense.

A few various brushes are indispensable in your cleaning bucket, box, etc.

 

[Melissa220]

I mean, don't stab at it like there's a tarantula in there .

 

[New Hampshire Jim]

I have had mine out several times.It is like a 10 penny nail. and is anchored to the stove with a small screw.It sticks out into the air stream of the exhaust pipe about 21/2 inches.the above mentioned bottle brush OR a good used tooth brush taped to a tongue depressor are both great Ideas

 

[TheMightyMoe]

Wow, sounds like some intense weekend cleanings. I brush my firebox/scrape exchangers on the weekend. Figure once I fill my ash can, I'll do a real cleaning.

 

[Trefix]

Hello.

Fly ash can make an " invisible " 1 millimeter crust, I had seen on the fan cover (after 000 steel wool cleaning) . ESP doesn't seems to be " crusted " after cleaning (tooth brush and others nylon ones, for me) but I'd never remove it. I'll do, soon, and make pics...

Can the ash be a thermical insulating ???

Au revoir.

 

[Northwoodneil]

Fly ash can make an " invisible " 1 millimeter crust, I had seen on the fan cover (after 000 steel wool cleaning) . ESP doesn't seems to be " crusted " after cleaning (tooth brush and others nylon ones, for me) but I'd never remove it. I'll do, soon, and make pics...

Can the ash be a thermical insulating ???

Yes ash has an insulating effect. I take mine out so I can brush the exhaust flue and clean it with a paper towel and stove glass cleaner.

 

[gfreek]

I use a drain brush that has a long handle. Or you can use a dryer lint cleaning brush. Just make sure its soft bristle.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Melissa,
You really don't need to clean it that often. You can if you want, but it isn't necessary. I use the aforementioned paint brush with soft bristles when I do mine. I use the paint brush on the entire interior of the firebox as well. It does a great job.
As stated in one of the other threads we've participated in, you are stressing too much. Sit back and relax......

 

[mepellet]

I didn't clean mine at all last year. Just cleaned it a few weeks ago when I cleaned and sprayed the exhaust fan.

 

[Melissa220]

Wow, sounds like some intense weekend cleanings. I brush my firebox/scrape exchangers on the weekend. Figure once I fill my ash can, I'll do a real cleaning.

that's what my manual says, to do a thorough cleaning after every ton. BUT, as someone on another past noted, I am having first year OCD, so I am cleaning every week.

 

[Melissa220]

Melissa,
You really don't need to clean it that often. You can if you want, but it isn't necessary. I use the aforementioned paint brush with soft bristles when I do mine. I use the paint brush on the entire interior of the firebox as well. It does a great job.
As stated in one of the other threads we've participated in, you are stressing too much. Sit back and relax......

Believe it or not, I am slowly getting there. I do now subscribe to the dump it and forget it, although I do scrape the burn pot daily and vacuum/brush on weekend (depending on how much the stove was used all week).

I am having NO regrets!

 

[Trefix]

Room temp + auto igniter, 24/7, feed rate 3 ( 'cause stove's too strong for 'our' home), I scrape pot once a bag (33 lb) but clean heat exchanger only each 30 bags (450 kg ~ 990 lb). More pellet before cleaning exchanger means bad fire !

When I used room temp + manual (very cold weather outside, 5°F at 3 pm, feed rate 4 1/4 ) cleaning the stove was easier.