Mount Vernon w/black tar in exhaust

[smg64ct]

First my stove has been running great this year, but I was burning turmans which I had two tons and I ran out . My supplier ran out of turmans so I bought two tons of hamers, which I've burned in the past with no problems. Since using the hamers the stove was not lighting like it did before. It fills up with smoke and then it lights, but I can smell the smoke in the house.

This stove is also kept spotless. I took out the baffle today and what a mess black soot, so cleaned it. I had only just cleaned it two weeks ago. I go out and check out the vent (direct vent) I put my hand in there and it's all this black tar never had that before. Yesterday I noticed the flame height was really high and I had it on -3 so I went to -5 and it's still high.

What do you think the problem is (pellets) and is it ok to use? That black pasty tar comcerns me.

Thanks in advance.

 

[john193]

It's creosote. Far less than what you would get with a wood stove. I try to brush as much of it off as I can during my seasonal cleaning.

No real reason for concern. Running the stove on low setting with low feed rating will contribute further to creosote. Try to burn your stove on high or medium high from time to time to burn that stuff off. You are also overthinking the flame height setting. It is a feed setting. When you lower the feed rating you are suffocating the stove of fuel, and it won't output as necessary when it is cold out.

 

[smg64ct]

I run it in manual, the flames are really high above the plate, should I raise the flame height to get it hotter?

 

[smg64ct]

I just turned up the flame height and I noticed that black smoke is coming out of the exhaust and it smells. This never happened before.

 

[fmsm]

Sounds like you're burning off the gunk

 

[smg64ct]

I thought about but got nervous and shut it off

 

[john193]

Yea you are likely burning it off. Wood smoke can carry an odor. So long as your stove was installed properly you should have no worries. If you are smelling smoke in the house you have an exhaust leak.

 

[smg64ct]

I have it running now, I turned up the flame height to plus 2. I'm not getting any smoky smell in the house anymore. I had this stove installed in 2009 and never had the black tar in the exhaust. I hope it's just the stuff burning off.

 

[JoeS]

First my stove has been running great this year, but I was burning turmans which I had two tons and I ran out . My supplier ran out of turmans so I bought two tons of hamers, which I've burned in the past with no problems. Since using the hamers the stove was not lighting like it did before. It fills up with smoke and then it lights, but I can smell the smoke in the house.

This stove is also kept spotless. I took out the baffle today and what a mess black soot, so cleaned it. I had only just cleaned it two weeks ago. I go out and check out the vent (direct vent) I put my hand in there and it's all this black tar never had that before. Yesterday I noticed the flame height was really high and I had it on -3 so I went to -5 and it's still high.

What do you think the problem is (pellets) and is it ok to use? That black pasty tar comcerns me.

Thanks in advance.

I never had problems in the past with Hamers either but nothing but issues this year almost identical to yours!

Can't say for certain it is the pellet until I try another brand which will be soon since I am down to about 20 bags!

Actually thinking about trying the Turmans!

 

[smg64ct]

Turmans are great

 

[smg64ct]

My stove has one shut down and I'm getting a max drop tube temp. I guess it's running to hot? I think I'm done with pellet stoves. I used to burn wood and I thought that pellets would be easier and that's not the case. Storing these pellets, the dust and this super picky stove I had enough.

I think I'll try a propane stove next.

 

[john193]

My stove has one shut down and I'm getting a max drop tube temp. I guess it's running to hot? I think I'm done with pellet stoves. I used to burn wood and I thought that pellets would be easier and that's not the case. Storing these pellets, the dust and this super picky stove I had enough.

I think I'll try a propane stove next.

That code does mean it is running too hot. What were the settings when it happened?

Check to make sure that your convection blower is clean. If it isn't able to supply enough air the stove will overheat.

Check your combustion blower and make sure the exhaust path is clear and the blower fins don't have excessive build up.

 

[JoeS]

You might want to re-think the prpoane stove idea!

 

[Lake Girl]

You're getting creosote so it is not getting enough air to burn clean. When was the last time you cleaned your exhaust pathways and venting; the convection fan? If the Hamers are producing more ash and burning poorly, you will need to clean more frequently. You could also try "utility pellet" setting for more frequent auto clean.
(broken link removed to http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/7034_276.pdf) Page 27 - troubleshooting

Edit: Sorry you mentioned you cleaned ... Combustion blower operating as it should? Do you have an OAK?

 

[smg64ct]

Sorry I was just ranting. I cleaned the combustion blower in the fall. I took it out today and there is a lot of dust inside, but it looks like after the blower it may be clogged. I am going to clean it and see what happens.

Thanks for the help.

 

[smg64ct]

I was running it on normal and had the flame height set at plus 2

 

[john193]

I was running it on normal and had the flame height set at plus 2

I run mine in plus 2. I would def look into the convection blower. Ideally you would pull it off and clean it yearly.

You should be pulling off and cleaning the combustion blower every ton.

 

[JoeS]

Sorry I was just ranting. I cleaned the combustion blower in the fall. I took it out today and there is a lot of dust inside, but it looks like after the blower it may be clogged. I am going to clean it and see what happens.

Thanks for the help.

I was running it on normal and had the flame height set at plus 2

What is you exhaust setup?

 

[smg64ct]

It's a direct vent right out the wall a short run. Is this combustion blower meant to be taken out all the time. I having a hard time attaching the nuts to screws. In the beginning those post were tight now there all loose and when you put the blower back in the post moves.

 

[JoeS]

It's a direct vent right out the wall a short run. Is this combustion blower meant to be taken out all the time. I having a hard time attaching the nuts to screws. In the beginning those post were tight now there all loose and when you put the blower back in the post moves.

Do you use the leaf blower when you do a deep clean?

 

[smg64ct]

I didn't do the leave blower. How would I go about that?

 

[The Ds]

Do a search for 'leaf blower trick' here on the forum and/or on youtube. Basically, you place a leaf blower over/around your exhaust pipe, turn leaf blower on to suck/vacuum, and it sucks the leftover ash out of the stove and blows it into the outside air. You'll want to read about it and watch a video or two before you try it. It's done AFTER the stove and venting have been cleaned (i.e. - it's not to clean the stove, it's to FINISH cleaning the stove).

 

[smg64ct]

Thanks for the info. I guess I need to disconnect the vacuum switch?

 

[The Ds]

Yes, we disconnect our vacuum switch beforehand. I've also read of people leaving the stove door open during the process and not disconnecting the vacuum switch. Do your research

 

[JoeS]

Thanks for the info. I guess I need to disconnect the vacuum switch?

Think you are going to see a huge difference in performance when you are done!