just cleaned the Harman P61A

[Tonyray]

Finally got around to doing a full clean today.
started burning mid-October....we burn 24/7 when heat is needed..ash pan was only 1/4 full.. ESP probe was dusty but otherwise clean.
I credit that to burning Good Softwoods....30 minutes tops.

 

[DAKSY]

How many bags of pellets resulted in that 1/4 full ashpan?
Did you 30 minutes include removing the right rear shroud
& clearing out the fines box?

 

[jackman]

It takes me 3 hours to do a deep clean including all the venting. I'll admit I don't work fast but I am thorough and is after about 2 tons worth of pellets.

 

[Tonyray]

How many bags of pellets resulted in that 1/4 full ashpan?
Did you 30 minutes include removing the right rear shroud
& clearing out the fines box?

always clean out the fines box under the burn pot and the tunnel behind the exhaust fan where the esp probe lives..long slender vacuum tube for tunnel.
only take off rear shrouds once each year to vacuum motors. they stay pretty clean..
26 bags burned since mid October...EZblaze super premo softies.very little to scrap from the burnpot.
[ I did come back later and cleaned the glass as I forgot to do it after cleaning.]

yes i work fast but don't have lot of ash plus my ash pan is prob 10" deep..in the spring I attack the outside exhaust which was just done in June. it's just a light powdery residue so once per year is suffice. Over time my steps have gotten quicker than 5 yrs ago when I 1st started and was dealing with Box store Mega ash pellets. It did take longer back then.
note:
probably should have stated full INSIDE cleaning if we're splitting hairs here]

 

[DAKSY]

In order to get to the fines box on a P61A, you need to remove the lower right rear shroud.
There is no easy access - unless you remove the control panel, & even then,
having to remove a wingnut & cover plate is almost impossible without removing the shroud.

 

[Tonyray]

In order to get to the fines box on a P61A, you need to remove the lower right rear shroud.
There is no easy access - unless you remove the control panel, & even then,
having to remove a wingnut & cover plate is almost impossible without removing the shroud.

Not sure what you're talking about. I remove2 wing nuts and one plate and there's my igniter fine

In order to get to the fines box on a P61A, you need to remove the lower right rear shroud.
There is no easy access - unless you remove the control panel, & even then,
having to remove a wingnut & cover plate is almost impossible without removing the shroud.

Sorry. I was referring to the igniter box. Not the fines box

 

[Tonyray]

Not sure what you're talking about. I remove2 wing nuts and one plate and there's my igniter fine

Sorry. I was referring to the igniter box. Not the fines box

 

[Washed-Up]

I believe it’s this, and I’ve just learned about this myself

 

[rickwai]

Yeah that needs cleaned out yearly or so. Depending on the pellets it may be able to go 2-3 yrs. But it is best to check/clean yearly

 

[Washed-Up]

Glad I had a look at this thread...my fines box was packed

Before

After

 

[Tonyray]

Glad I had a look at this thread...my fines box was packed

View attachment 233743 Before

View attachment 233742 After

Wow!!

 

[DAKSY]

Words of caution: When you remove the wingnut & pull the cover, make sure the slide plate remains in position. Then inspect the gasket on that cover. Make sure it's not worn thru in any of the contact areas. It will be compressed where it makes contact, but if it's worn thru, it will need to be addressed. My P43 had a worn fines box cover gasket after about 8 years...Kinda looked like it dry-rotted... Unfortunately, Harman does not sell a stand-alone gasket. You will have to purchase a new cover as well. If it IS worn thru, one of the signs will be pellets burning only in the left side of the burnpot. When you reinstall the cover, make sure you haven't repositioned the slide plate, & that the cover is re-installed securely...Been there, done that.

 

[Washed-Up]

Thanks for the advice Bob...gasket was checked before I reinstalled, plate seated properly. Also thanks for the insight, I was curious as to some of the side effects of the gasket and possible air leaks regarding the plate. I assume the stove runs better with the fines box empty as well.

 

[DAKSY]

***I assume the stove runs better with the fines box empty as well.***

Yep. The box gets packed full & it can start to restrict the movement of the slide plate.
That restriction can start to put a strain on the auger motor gearing, which is made from
inexpensive pot metal or even plastic. Just another PM to keep Harmans running like the
tankst they are!