Found a surprise in a bag of pellets.

[Paulinator]

Long story short, I thought I had an auger Jam in my P52i, nope. Replaced the auger motor as it was leaking grease pretty badly. nope. Cleaned the stove top to bottom. nope. Vacuumed out the hopper and found a broken off bolt head. It is an industrial graded bolt. This is the second time I've received a free gift in a pellet bag. The first time was a nail. Up and running again and the cat is a happy camper.

 

[jackman]

Who made the pellets?

 

[Paulinator]

Who made the pellets?

Well, lately I have been using Heat'rs. Forest Energy Oregon makes them. Same place as Blazers. But I've been buying Cascade/Sierra pellets as well. Pacific Coast pellets makes those. It came from one of those two companies.

 

[jackman]

I've been burning Packsaddle pellets (Frank Lumber in Mill City, Oregon) exclusively for 10 years. The only debris I've found in that time was a 6" wood splinter. I caught that as I was dumping the bag in. The price has been pretty steady over the years at $195 to $199/ton purchased during the summer sale.

 

[Paulinator]

I've been burning Packsaddle pellets (Frank Lumber in Mill City, Oregon) exclusively for 10 years. The only debris I've found in that time was a 6" wood splinter. I caught that as I was dumping the bag in. The price has been pretty steady over the years at $195 to $199/ton purchased during the summer sale.

That's a great price. I may have to to Parr and grab a few to try.
I think I might email them and give them a heads up. The other half of that bolt is out there somewhere.

 

[Montecarlossfan]

Ouch..I thought the twig I got caused me enough issues with my 52i...a tiny little twig/wood fiber made it so I had to pull the slide/auger and clean..I cant imagine the noise that bolt made.

 

[Paulinator]

Ouch..I thought the twig I got caused me enough issues with my 52i...a tiny little twig/wood fiber made it so I had to pull the slide/auger and clean..I cant imagine the noise that bolt made.

I was surprised I didn't notice it when I scooped the pellets into the hopper. Or dumping the bag into the chest. But yeah it was caught in the slide plate. Now I'm getting a slight "singing" sound at a point when the auger turns. I'm gong to try the graphite coated pellet trick this week. The auger and cam bearings spin great and there was no noise when I inspected them. I didn't notice any damage to the slide plate, but the bolt head was stuck in the front left corner.

 

[BigJohnfromCT]

Paul, can you expand on your above comment? "I'm gong to try the graphite coated pellet trick this week." Have not heard of this before. Thank you.

 

[Ssyko]

Mix a 5lb batch of pellets with dry graphite and run the stove empty then put in the coated pellets and run the stove. it coats the auger tube and quiets it down (sometimes)

 

[Montecarlossfan]

I was surprised I didn't notice it when I scooped the pellets into the hopper. Or dumping the bag into the chest. But yeah it was caught in the slide plate. Now I'm getting a slight "singing" sound at a point when the auger turns. I'm gong to try the graphite coated pellet trick this week. The auger and cam bearings spin great and there was no noise when I inspected them. I didn't notice any damage to the slide plate, but the bolt head was stuck in the front left corner.

I believe that is usually caused by buildup at the end of the auger tube or auger itself from what I have experienced..usually cleaning the crud at the opening cures it if the graphite doesn't.

 

[Oregun]

I was cleaning out my burn pot this morning and I spotted what "appeared" to be a few chunks of metal that had melted in the
fire. They were rounded and shiny. Don't think it was from the burn pot so was speculating what was in the pellets
that would cause that. I have gotten bullets in firewood before when I had a wood stove but I don't think this was lead.
Looked more like welding spatter but larger 1/4" size. Anyone see something like this before?

First thing i thought of when I saw the bolt head picture above was part of you stove came off.

 

[Paulinator]

I believe that is usually caused by buildup at the end of the auger tube or auger itself from what I have experienced..usually cleaning the crud at the opening cures it if the graphite doesn't.

I cleaned most of it of when I pulled the auger out, but it may get a little dremel action and make sure it's super clean.

 

[Paulinator]

I was cleaning out my burn pot this morning and I spotted what "appeared" to be a few chunks of metal that had melted in the
fire. They were rounded and shiny. Don't think it was from the burn pot so was speculating what was in the pellets
that would cause that. I have gotten bullets in firewood before when I had a wood stove but I don't think this was lead.
Looked more like welding spatter but larger 1/4" size. Anyone see something like this before?

First thing i thought of when I saw the bolt head picture above was part of you stove came off.

It's a 5/8" bolt the head is 7/8-1 inch. Pretty meaty chunk. It was my first thought as well until I Vacuumed it off the slide plate.