Is A Pellet Insert Harder To Maintain Than A Freestanding Stove?

[velvetfoot]

Does it have to be pulled out, or something to do a full cleaning (whatever that might be)?

I'm just thinking about the future when I'm even weaker than I am now.

 

[imacman]

In general it is more difficult, just for the reason you mentioned. Access to the blowers and auger motor(s) are always through the sides or rear, so to do a proper full cleaning the unit has to be pulled out.

 

[tjnamtiw]

I have two inserts as you see in my sig. They DON'T have to be pulled out for regular weekly or monthly cleaning unless you burn a couple of tons during that period. Otherwise, you have to pull them out at the end of the season to disconnect the flue pipe and run a brush up or down it. Also, at that time you would pull the combustion blower and convection blower to give them a good cleaning and be ready for next year. This is for Quads. I'm sure others will chime in for their brands that might require something else.
For my Quads, it's a grunt and bear it kinda thing. I'm pushing 70 but still able to do it. Some brands have rigs to let you literally roll them out on attachable rails. I wish I had known about that at the time. Good luck on your search.

 

[SXIPro]

The older I get, the harder it is for me to pull the insert out of the fireplace. This, along with the limited hopper size, are the two big drawbacks of an insert IMHO. I do think they look better than a free standing unit though.

 

[fmsm]

My Harman P35i has a 62lb hopper and is set in a cage so it "rolls" out for service and cleaning. I will never own an insert that does not have this feature! The Accentra is also available as an insert with this. I'm not sure about the hopper size.

 

[Tim_M]

Another consideration when pulling out an insert is disconnecting (and then re-connecting) the exhaust pipe, which can be a real challenge due to restricted access and limited/no visibility.

 

[SXIPro]

Another consideration when pulling out an insert is disconnecting (and then re-connecting) the exhaust pipe, which can be a real challenge due to restricted access and limited/no visibility.

Depends on the unit. There is no need to disconnect my Harman exhaust. The insert just slides out (with effort) then slides back in and re-sets itself against the exhaust 'manifold'.

 

[DemonGT]

if i remove the insert shroud and stove side panels on my stove i can get to all the motors with out pulling it out.

but i would think a FS stove would be much easier to maintain for sure.

 

[jdege]

I pull my Harman insert out once per ton to clean the fine box, a little heavy but manageable. The annual cleaning is done by a tech, I pay for a professional to clean my furnace once a year and the pellet stove deserves nothing less. As for hopper size I believe it holds 60+ pounds so no issue there.

Love my insert but my in laws have freestanding stoves and those are nice to. IMO

 

[Lousyweather]

yes....an insert generally is *somewhat* more labor intensive to clean than a freestander

 

[sandpipe]

The Harman Invincible insert has access to the distribution blower through the bottom of pulled out unit. When my blower was replaced last year I put car jackstands underneath the stove because the repairman was nervous about sliding his head underneath the minimally supported 354lb stove.

It is quite a workout sliding it in and out of the hearth. I muscle it out incrementally from side to side and it gets easier after it's out several inches. Likewise, when pushing it back in those last few inches are the toughest.

 

[Eatonpcat]

Mine is easily pulled out, but that being said, I believe a free standing stove would be much less of a PIA to service. I also wish I had a bigger Hopper!!

 

[jim3854]

I have a freestanding stove in the same room as my fireplace . Its nice to be able to use both.

 

[SXIPro]

The Harman Invincible insert has access to the distribution blower through the bottom of pulled out unit. When my blower was replaced last year I put car jackstands underneath the stove because the repairman was nervous about sliding his head underneath the minimally supported 354lb stove.

It is quite a workout sliding it in and out of the hearth. I muscle it out incrementally from side to side and it gets easier after it's out several inches. Likewise, when pushing it back in those last few inches are the toughest.

I have the same stove. It takes more effort to slide in/out with each cleaning. It's a combination of me getting older and the flat gasketing that sits on top of the frame 'slides' are pretty much gone, so there is much more friction. I either gotta replace those, or hit the frame with a wire brush and then some fluid film, or get back to the gym.

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

I never thought pulling my castile insert was a major pain in the azz.

Oddly, it did get much more difficult when I saw my buddies free standing castile