Increasing combustion air flow on P68

[newf lover]

I've been experimenting with different pellets and had a not too successful experience with a super premium pellet that no one else seems to have had a problem with. (Turned the stove black). Just bought some Hamer Hot Ones to try, and noticed on the bag it recommended increasing your combustion air flow because of the high density and low moisture of the pellet. How do you do that on a P68? Do I just lower the feed rate? BTW, the stove is absolutely clean, so nothing is blocked....

 

[lessoil]

The adjustment on our P61 is on the control board and you need a small screw driver to adjust it.
I have found that there doesn't seem to be that much difference between low and high. (My 2 cents!!)
Of course I made these adjustments burning the "Old Athens" pellets.

 

[newf lover]

I think my stove doesn't think it's good enough for the super premium pellets, it doesn't know how much I paid for the frickin' thing last year...I put Turman pellets in to try for tomorrow when it gets a little colder, then I'll give the Hamer's a try. I'm not unhappy with my NEWPs, just experimenting. I'll give your suggestion a shot, thanks.

 

[bungalobob]

Just like Lessoil says its the white screw on the control board, and also like he says, it didn't make a bit of difference with my stove either. But make sure you make a mark on the control board where the screw starts out, just in case you get some results that you don't like, you will at least be able to put it back where it started.
As for those Hamer Hot Ones, I loved them last year, burnt great in my Harman and really put out the heat. The NEWP's did not burn as well, especially a couple of bags off one of the pallets, but they worked out all right, did dirty the glass up more though.

 

[djarseneault]

the white "screw" they are referring to is a potentiometer, and it only adjusts the low draft setting (stove idling or on a low burn). It has no effect on the high draft.

 

[newf lover]

Parrot Head, is there any reason my P68 wouldn't like to burn super premium pellets? I'm being serious, even though I was kidding about my stove thinking it wasn't good enough to burn super premium pellets. Last time I tried a super premium pellet, the stove acted like it wasn't getting enough air; it turned black on the brick, sides and heat exhanger tubes. Yet it didn't happen with the NEWPs I was burning. Just looking for a little less ash in my pellets. It makes no sense to me, and there appears to be nothing in the stove that I can adjust to make it work.

 

[MarkH]

I have been burning Spruce Pointe premium softwood pellets in my P68, it really likes them, very little ash.

 

[MCPO]

I`ve fooled with that potentiometer quite a bit and eventually came to the conclusion that it is very helpful but only for easier starting on my manual ignition P-38 stove. It reduces the combustion air enough to allow whatever starting fluid/gel I use to quickly get the fire burning. After that it doesn`t seem to have an effect on any setting at all. The fire never ever comes close to going out at the lowest setting of #1 and my glasss stays very clean for long periods of time and the ash is never anything but light grey.

 

[HEMI]

I have been burning Spruce Pointe premium softwood pellets in my P68, it really likes them, very little ash.

I am currently burning spruce points in my p43 with good results also

 

[newf lover]

Maybe I'll threaten my stove with Appling pellets; that should work.

 

[djarseneault]

Parrot Head, is there any reason my P68 wouldn't like to burn super premium pellets? I'm being serious, even though I was kidding about my stove thinking it wasn't good enough to burn super premium pellets. Last time I tried a super premium pellet, the stove acted like it wasn't getting enough air; it turned black on the brick, sides and heat exhanger tubes. Yet it didn't happen with the NEWPs I was burning. Just looking for a little less ash in my pellets. It makes no sense to me, and there appears to be nothing in the stove that I can adjust to make it work.

The only thing that comes to mind is if the "super premium" pellets are maybe a little denser pressed than other pellets. Most of the feedback I get from customers is the Harmans tend to like softwood pellets better.

 

[tgloersen]

Just thought i chime in here....I have been burning Barfoot's in my P-68. Always had pretty good performance with them. Then i bought Hamers (Super Premiums Elkridge) this year and i tried a bag of them and boy what a difference. They burned nice and hot, crisp clean flame. I had to actually turn the feed rate down to about 2.5 i usually have this set to 3.5 They are definatly worth the $$$

 

[newf lover]

Thanks everyone. Actually, it was a super premium softwood that I tried that didn't work out too well. It hasn't been that cold so maybe fooling with the potentiometer, since it has to do with low burn, needs adjusting. Gio, I am assuming if I want to increase the air, i turn it clockwise?
I'm going to try the Hamers after another bag of Turman's and see how they are. I hope they work out as well for me as they did for you Seymour Burning.
By the way, I really liked the Turmans; burned really nice. I still had more scraping than I would like to do in the burnpot, but it wasn't that cold last night. I'll try a little adjustment, or maybe I need to forget it and just get on with my life! I should be happy I'm warm....

 

[tkrock]

I'm burning Hamers this year (4 tons)). They are definitily a little bit different then last year. They kind of had a bit of sand to the ash last year, at least that's what it seemed like. This year that doesn't exist. But i'll say for the black on my P61, it doesn't like to burn them low on stove mode either. More black then I like and i've played around with the white screw. It doesn't really do much that i can tell with the Hamer's. However when you run it in room temp mode and its calling for heat, wow on the heat and excelent looking flame. It turns everything white or grey in a hurry. I too turned my feed rate down to 2. The heat difference is huge. So I can't say i have a fix, but can say im having simliar results even with playing with several different settings as far as the black goes.

 

[newf lover]

Thanks tkrock. I decided not to fool around at this time with the potentiometer. I'm happy with the heat, my stove is working well, and I should leave well enough alone. When I try the Hamers I'll turn the feed rate down to 2 and see what happens. I always run the stove in room temp, but since it hasn't been that cold it often is running on low burn. I assume that's why I'm scraping more carbon buildup than I think I should. Looking forward to consistently colder weather so I can see if that makes a difference. Can't wait to try the Hamer's, hope they burn well. I'd be tempted to order a couple tons for next year if they work out well. Still have room in the basement.

 

[tkrock]

Thanks tkrock. I decided not to fool around at this time with the potentiometer. I'm happy with the heat, my stove is working well, and I should leave well enough alone. When I try the Hamers I'll turn the feed rate down to 2 and see what happens. I always run the stove in room temp, but since it hasn't been that cold it often is running on low burn. I assume that's why I'm scraping more carbon buildup than I think I should. Looking forward to consistently colder weather so I can see if that makes a difference. Can't wait to try the Hamer's, hope they burn well. I'd be tempted to order a couple tons for next year if they work out well. Still have room in the basement.

I'm getting the same thing; but if you get some weather where you can turn it up a bit I bet your results will be much better. Hamers are a very quality pellet, i just don't think they like to burn on low. The other thing i noticed is they don't like to light very quickly either.