Harman fines box

[rcook430]

Did another deep cleaning today as there are some cold nights coming up. I don't understand exactly how the fines box works or maybe I wouldn't be asking this question. How come when I clean out my fines box there are half a handful of complete full size pellets in there? Don't know if this is normal or not.

 

[jackman]

I have never had any full size pellets in mine but I have a different model Harman. So I can't say if that is normal or not.

 

[Tim Linden]

Happens with mine all the time. If the stove is operating fine I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[alternativeheat]

My P61 always has some pellets in the fines box.

 

[English BoB]

Our whitfield does the same, no harm = no foul.

bob

 

[rcook430]

Thanks, yes it runs great. I was just wondering if it was normal or if I had something that needed fixed.

 

[Tonyray]

just Full cleaned my P61A couple days ago..
my fines box most times has lot of broken pellets and sawdust in it...
perfectly normal.. has to go somewhere...

 

[Bioburner]

I must be lucky. I don't get enough fines in a season to fill a teaspoon.

 

[funflyer]

Fines box ,that's what a burnpot is for.

 

[Bioburner]

My Harman does not have a pot either.

 

[SXIPro]

I've only ever had fines not pellets in my fines box of my Harman.

 

[jzm2cc]

My XXV with a ultralite feeder box (smaller design) would have mixed pellets and fines. P61 or PC45 with fullsize feeder boxes would only collect fines.

 

[jackhammer]

My P61 always has some pellets in the fines box.

How often should I be checking the "fines box"? I'm sure it varies based on pellets, with the NEWP's high ash.

 

[Bioburner]

I started out doing with the one ton cleaning and after a season of almost nothing just do it annually. I would recommend checking with the one ton cleaning as I believe is recommend my manufacture.

 

[bags]

I do mine on the 68 every ton. It varies even burning the same pellets. Sometimes just a little dust. Sometimes some dust and a few pellet pieces. Never an issue. You could easily clean it once a year likely BUT..... Why not just do it monthly or every ton while you are cleaning anyway. It only takes a few minutes. Loosen a few screws to slide the panel off and then just a wing nut.

I do that and vac it out and back together in probably 5 minutes total. Apart, clean, and back together. Cheap and easy insurance IMHO. Surely beats the stove acting up at the worst and coldest time possible.

I am interested to see mine after a ton of Greenways. I like them. They burn great and plenty of heat. very similar to Set however there is definitely some more fines and dust in each bag. That being said, I wonder what the fines box difference will be if any?

 

[Tonyray]

Interesting....
I always have a combination of sawdust/broken pellets when I clean the fines box out every couple months.
I don't think it means anything as far as I know... anyone think it's a minor problem or just a thing that happens with some stoves?

 

[Bioburner]

I don't think it means anything as far as I know

Only time have heard of problem is when someone has totally forgot to clean it for years or more problematic is not getting the cover back on tight

 

[bags]

I think the possibility for the chunks of pellets in the fines box happens when you hear the feed gate close and chomp the pellet. Not sure and no scientific analysis but a good guess. Sounds good anyway so I'll justify the pellet pieces that way.

Bio hit the nail on the head. With my per ton burned cleaning schedule I do not get much out of the fines. pellet chunks nor dust. There usually is something in there but I could see cleaning the fines once a year at the end or beginning of burn season would likely be fine with the pellet brands I have burned. Mileage may vary with junky pellets where the fines, fragments, dust, etc might want to build up quicker.

The Greenways I am very happy with but I have heard the slide gate chomping some and each bag does have more dust and fines that the Sets I've used. This is why I am curious what my fines box will look like. I'll report back in another 2./3rds of a ton. I am betting there will be a bit more in there this time because of this.

Have a Great New Year everyone! Stay Warm and kick back in front of the stove to enjoy that 40 pounder humping. Easy as pie.........

Heating without a visible fire is just flat out boring IMO. Granted if I had cheap oil or propane I'd be a cheater too but I'd also miss the fires.

 

[Tonyray]

I think the possibility for the chunks of pellets in the fines box happens when you hear the feed gate close and chomp the pellet. Not sure and no scientific analysis but a good guess. Sounds good anyway so I'll justify the pellet pieces that way.

Bio hit the nail on the head. With my per ton burned cleaning schedule I do not get much out of the fines. pellet chunks nor dust. There usually is something in there but I could see cleaning the fines once a year at the end or beginning of burn season would likely be fine with the pellet brands I have burned. Mileage may vary with junky pellets where the fines, fragments, dust, etc might want to build up quicker.

The Greenways I am very happy with but I have heard the slide gate chomping some and each bag does have more dust and fines that the Sets I've used. This is why I am curious what my fines box will look like. I'll report back in another 2./3rds of a ton. I am beating there will be a bit more in there this time because of this.

Have a Great New Year everyone! Stay Warm and kick back in front of the stove to enjoy that 40 pounder humping. Easy as pie.........

Heating without a visible fire is just flat out boring IMO. Granted if I had cheap oil or propane I'd be a cheater too but I'd also miss the fires.

feed gate close and chomp the pellet.
yes.. that's about as good an explanation as I can come up with.
burned Energex Golden hardwoods and Lignetics [green label]... both excellent pellets but nowhere on the bag does it say "Un-breakable"

 

[THE ROOSTER]

I have the Accentra insert, cleaned the fines box last year for the first time, stove was 6yrs. old at that time, mine had no full size pellets and was surprised that the box was only 1/4 full.
Big thanks to this forum for the info on the box.

 

[bags]

cleaned the fines box last year for the first time, stove was 6yrs. old at that time, mine had no full size pellets and was surprised that the box was only 1/4 full.

That is impressive there cleaning slacker......... LOL!
You must have been burning some good Sets. Otherwise, it would have possibly been jammed up more. Who knows? Just another guess, but I haven't a clue. My Sets have had the least fines out of several good brands I've burned. At this point I am about price.

Fines box was a quarter full,,, as in packed tight from the bottom 1/4 up? I can see that. Every time I have done mine it has just been dusted with some fine particles and flakes and maybe has a chunk or two in the very bottom of my fines box. Nothing even close to alarming but I am sure mileage may vary depending. Even same brands can vary a little per bag within the same 1 ton pallet.

I am seriously curious as to what I'll find after the next per ton clean. Running some dusty but good pellets. Greenways from another hardwood flooring co. out of TN. Similar to Sets but much more like Pro Pellets from MI.

The Greenways I've messed with, have slightly more dust and fines for sure, than both the other brands. Sets are more consistent in size whereas both the Pro's and Greenways will consistently have some longer pellets. Some in both of those brands can be at least 2 inches long. Not a problem here but the stoves that bridge and have sensitive feeds I can see it being a major PITA.

During the next per ton clean I might discover a bit more in the fines box since I've been running the Greenways (when I do the 1 ton clean after running a ton of them thru) because they definitely have more dust and fines but it will take a minute, because it's supposed to warm up some again. It has been fairly cold the last few days and I'm guessing you are getting fairly similar weather but being somewhat south of here can be a significant game changer.

GO CATS! Don't tell me you are a Louisville fan........,,,, who cleans his fines box every 6 years....LOL!

 

[bogieb]

My fines box is always full - mostly with fines, but with some broken pellets. Of course I burn middling stuff that usually has a fair amount of dust in it, so I'm not surprised. I usually clean the fines box every time I shut down to empty the ash pan. Doesn't matter if I do it early (like at 2 weeks) or after 3-4 weeks. I figure it takes 2-3 minutes, why not.

 

[rickwai]

Harmans w/ the original style feeder (before the Ultra feeder) has just a spot that would catch fines that came off the top of the slide plate. Gap was only about 1/32" or less , no pellets could get in. New style feeder has basically the back cut out so you can see the auger. You will always have pelllets in there by design. I guess the idea is that w/ the auger exposed and pulling fuel in the fines cant build up very much.

 

[THE ROOSTER]

That is impressive there cleaning slacker......... LOL!
You must have been burning some good Sets. Otherwise, it would have possibly been jammed up more. Who knows? Just another guess, but I haven't a clue. My Sets have had the least fines out of several good brands I've burned. At this point I am about price.

Fines box was a quarter full,,, as in packed tight from the bottom 1/4 up? I can see that. Every time I have done mine it has just been dusted with some fine particles and flakes and maybe has a chunk or two in the very bottom of my fines box. Nothing even close to alarming but I am sure mileage may vary depending. Even same brands can vary a little per bag within the same 1 ton pallet.

I am seriously curious as to what I'll find after the next per ton clean. Running some dusty but good pellets. Greenways from another hardwood flooring co. out of TN. Similar to Sets but much more like Pro Pellets from MI.

The Greenways I've messed with, have slightly more dust and fines for sure, than both the other brands. Sets are more consistent in size whereas both the Pro's and Greenways will consistently have some longer pellets. Some in both of those brands can be at least 2 inches long. Not a problem here but the stoves that bridge and have sensitive feeds I can see it being a major PITA.

During the next per ton clean I might discover a bit more in the fines box since I've been running the Greenways (when I do the 1 ton clean after running a ton of them thru) because they definitely have more dust and fines but it will take a minute, because it's supposed to warm up some again. It has been fairly cold the last few days and I'm guessing you are getting fairly similar weather but being somewhat south of here can be a significant game changer.

GO CATS! Don't tell me you are a Louisville fan........,,,, who cleans his fines box every 6 years....LOL!

I have burned many different brands over the years, Greenways for the last 2, mainly used Somersets, Country Boys, but last year when the -15*F was forecasted I purchased 25 bags from my local TSC that were FREEDOM PELLETS, they were junk.
Fines box when I opened it last year was so empty I wish I hadn't bothered pulling it out just for that, but glad I did just for knowing about it.
And he!! no I'm not a Loserville fan, was at the game and saw the so called #1 sign...

 

[twodogs02]

Harmans w/ the original style feeder (before the Ultra feeder) has just a spot that would catch fines that came off the top of the slide plate. Gap was only about 1/32" or less , no pellets could get in. New style feeder has basically the back cut out so you can see the auger. You will always have pelllets in there by design. I guess the idea is that w/ the auger exposed and pulling fuel in the fines cant build up very much.

XXV has the ultra feeder with exposed auger screw so when I vacuum the fines I always suck up all the pellets in the tube.

I always forget to place a screen over the vacuum hose to save those pellets.