Magnum Countryside 3500 On Hi

[misterpat]

Hello all,

My wife and I purchased this stove used and abused. Put a lot of work into it and now its working great. Well, mostly great.

We have an approximately 1600 sq. ft. home with the stove located in the basement pointed toward the steps going upstairs. This setup has been working great in the plus 20 degree F days to keep the entire home a few degrees above the now backup oil heat thermostat. This is on heat setting #4 with the fuel stirrer on #2 and a thermostat about 15 feet away in the same room.

During the really cold temps here, at least for us, I started cranking it all the way up to #5. While this helped a lot with bringing the temp back up, after about 10 minutes, the stove would kick back to what seems like heat setting #2 or #3. I don't think I'm hitting the high limit sensor as I think that would just shut the feed off and let the stove cool. If I switch it from #5 back to #4 and back to #5 it will start burning hot for awhile then back to slowing down.

BTW, this stove was just a low cost way for us to see if pellets would work for us. We enjoy not hearing the oil burner kick on, So I'm eyeing up a new M55 FS.

 

[Bioburner]

I know #5 is not for burning corn as it will trip the over temp snap switch. If you have some good pellets could well be shutting the auger down. A daily high fire with the draft slide pulled out by manufacture is recommended to help clear out ash from the rear hidden passage for about 15 minutes. Download the manual and stop back if you need any more hints, tricks or tips. The technology and ease of operation of some of the newer stoves make the Countryside look like a Ford model T compared to a Lexus.

 

[misterpat]

Hey Bioburner!

I'm burning wood pellets of different brands. I have the manual and almost every other pdf they offer on this stove from there website.

The auger isn't shutting down. The stove is kicking back a few heat levels. Pellets are still feeding, but at a much lower rate. Not at a pilot fire low rate. Seems to be around the #2 or #3 heat level.

While I look forward to a new stove, this thing is so easy to work on.

 

[Bioburner]

If you think that's easy should check out a p series Harman. No tubes to collect ash on top or hidden wall to trap ash. No weekly cleanings. Brush the exchanger down once in a while. Set the feed, set the temp and fan speed and fill up. Monthly cleaning includes the emptying of ash bin that can hold a tons worth of pellet ash. Neighbor got a used Countryside and we figured with the propain price so high they would have total payback of investment in a month plus have warm floor as they put in basement. Will probably replace with something else and move it out to garage. Pretty easy to make payback with gas over $3