So I haven't posted on here since November when I had problems with my Mt Vernon Quadrafire stove. Its the older version, not the AE. So I've learned a lot over the last few months about the stove. I started out in November with issues with pellets feeding after a shutdown, auger motor not working etc. Its been working fine since my late November post. Sometimes its harder to start after I shut down to clean it out, but overall it was working great! Once I went through my first ton of Tractor Supply hardwood pellets, I decided to spend a few more bucks and get the Lignetics pellets since everyone says they are the best. Well, I feel they burned about the same, but left a lot more residue, clinkers etc and I ran that ton out in about 3 1/2 weeks, didn't even last a month! So yesterday I went back to tractor supply and bought my 3rd ton of hardwood pellets. I noticed these pellets are longer than the Lignetics, so I adjusted the hopper feed accordingly, threw a bag in and went to bed as normal. Woke up this morning and it was completely off. I cleaned out the fire pot from clinkers etc, and restarted it. Starts up fine, switch thermostat to call for heat, call light comes on, but once again……no pellets feed into the stove! Disconnected the vacuum hose and blew through it, cleaned out the auger nipple, still nothing………Here we go again. Any advice? Oh I threw a handful of pellets into the fire pot and started it. They ignited and burned but still no pellets dropped. Cleaned out hopper and made sure nothing was blocking auger and that looks fine. What do I try next?
Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!
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Lake Girl
Moderator
(broken link removed to http://hearthnhome.com/downloads/installManuals/7005_151.pdf) Page 24 gives you a pretty good list to work from for feed system not working. Unplug when in there checking things out...
What has your cleaning routine been like?
You've checked over vacuum switch.
Made sure all electrical connections to auger are fine
Checked thermocouple to make sure it is not damaged and properly seated in the ceramic cover and positioned properly on firepot?
Checked door switch connections are intact - not sure if there is a hopper switch?
Check out snap disc #2. May have to jump temporarily to rule this out
work you way through the list and let us know...
What has your cleaning routine been like?
You've checked over vacuum switch.
Made sure all electrical connections to auger are fine
Checked thermocouple to make sure it is not damaged and properly seated in the ceramic cover and positioned properly on firepot?
Checked door switch connections are intact - not sure if there is a hopper switch?
Check out snap disc #2. May have to jump temporarily to rule this out
work you way through the list and let us know...
As Lake Girl first inquired, make sure your stoves exhaust pathway and venting are clear of ash obstruction, as that is the most likely occurrence to impair a pellet stoves proper functioning.
Since you're on your 3rd ton of pellets this season, you should have done at least 2 deep cleanings of the stove and vent by now, to include the 'leaf blower trick'.
You said you checked the auger from the hopper end to look for any obstruction, but did you take a small mirror and a flashlight and look up the pellet drop chute from the firebox end to see if you might have a pellet bridge jam at the top of the auger chute ? Since it sounds like your auger feed problem started when you changed pellets, that would be a likely place for a blockage.
If you're sure your stove and venting are clear of ash, and that the top of the auger chute is clear of any bridged pellets, the next thing to try would be to bypass your vacuum switch to rule out a vacuum / negative pressure issue. Your combustion blower fan, assuming the vent and stove are clear, will generate a negative pressure in the burn pot and fire box (and through your door's air wash), and generate a positive pressure beyond the combustion blower to push the smoke out your venting. If this - / + pressure system isn't working, the vacuum switch won't close (you can hear it click when it closes), and it won't allow power to the auger motor.
So to test for that, UNPLUG the stove, then disconnect the wires to the vacuum switch and jumper them together - you can strip a small amt of insulation off of the ends of a short piece of electrical wire and stick the bare wire ends into the female electrical connectors of the vac wires. Wrapping the jumper wire / vac switch wire connections with electrical tape will prevent the jumper wire from coming apart and touching bare metal, which could crisp your control box.
Then plug the stove back in and set the thermostat to call for fire and see if your auger starts feeding. Remember, it will only feed for 60 secs during the initial auger cycle, then you would have to hit the reset button to get it to turn again. If your auger works, your problem is in the vacuum / negative pressure system.
After doing all of the above, report back and then we'll go from there if you're auger still isn't feeding.
Since you're on your 3rd ton of pellets this season, you should have done at least 2 deep cleanings of the stove and vent by now, to include the 'leaf blower trick'.
You said you checked the auger from the hopper end to look for any obstruction, but did you take a small mirror and a flashlight and look up the pellet drop chute from the firebox end to see if you might have a pellet bridge jam at the top of the auger chute ? Since it sounds like your auger feed problem started when you changed pellets, that would be a likely place for a blockage.
If you're sure your stove and venting are clear of ash, and that the top of the auger chute is clear of any bridged pellets, the next thing to try would be to bypass your vacuum switch to rule out a vacuum / negative pressure issue. Your combustion blower fan, assuming the vent and stove are clear, will generate a negative pressure in the burn pot and fire box (and through your door's air wash), and generate a positive pressure beyond the combustion blower to push the smoke out your venting. If this - / + pressure system isn't working, the vacuum switch won't close (you can hear it click when it closes), and it won't allow power to the auger motor.
So to test for that, UNPLUG the stove, then disconnect the wires to the vacuum switch and jumper them together - you can strip a small amt of insulation off of the ends of a short piece of electrical wire and stick the bare wire ends into the female electrical connectors of the vac wires. Wrapping the jumper wire / vac switch wire connections with electrical tape will prevent the jumper wire from coming apart and touching bare metal, which could crisp your control box.
Then plug the stove back in and set the thermostat to call for fire and see if your auger starts feeding. Remember, it will only feed for 60 secs during the initial auger cycle, then you would have to hit the reset button to get it to turn again. If your auger works, your problem is in the vacuum / negative pressure system.
After doing all of the above, report back and then we'll go from there if you're auger still isn't feeding.
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I don't remember from your last go around with the stove not working correctly if you checked or changed your door gaskets. Bad gaskets will allow air into the stove and not allow the vacuumi switch to operate correctly. How long has it been since they were changed as the stove is at least 10 yes old at this point.
I agree with DMKNLD about making double sure you don't have a obstruction before you do anything else as it seems that you problems started with a change in pellets. Different pellets can play havoc with a pellet stove.
Good luck on getting things resolved quickly.
I agree with DMKNLD about making double sure you don't have a obstruction before you do anything else as it seems that you problems started with a change in pellets. Different pellets can play havoc with a pellet stove.
Good luck on getting things resolved quickly.
Thank you all for the advice. I went out of town yesterday and just got back home. So let me answer some of the questions. Lake Girl, As far as my cleaning routine, I had it initially cleaned this summer thoroughly by a professional. Once it got cold, late fall, I was only running it for a few hours per night after work, since I didn't trust it to run when I wasn't home or when I was sleeping. Once winter hit, I would let it run 24 hrs a day. I shut it down every 3-4 days to clean it which included emptying the fire pot, clearing out the holes and clinkers. Then I would remove all the ask into the ash pan and slide the rods in and out at the top. Electical connections to auger are good and so is the thermocouple. There is no hopper switch. I will start by jumping the snap disc 2 and see if that works and jump the vacuum wires to see if I can eliminate those things. DMKNLD, I never thought to use a mirror to check up into the auger chute for obstructions, so I will also do that today. As far as "deep cleanings" what would that include? And I'm not sure I'm familiar with the leaf blower trick unless you mean putting an electric leaf blower into the pipe and blow it out of the chimney? As far as the excessive clinker formation, I've noticed it a lot with the second ton of pellets, the Lignetics. After day of 2 of running 24 hrs, it was getting a pretty good amount of buildup. After day 3 nearly half the fire pot was full and then I'd shut it down and clean it. So if thats directly related to needing a deep cleaning, then I'd have to get that done ASAP. Bkins, the door gaskets were changed in the summer when the tech came out to do a deep cleaning. I'm gonna get working on it now and I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks again!
Ok, so first thing I did was jump the vacuum switch and voila, the auger started working! So the problem is in the vacuum then. What do I do besides taking the vacuum hose off and making sure there are no obstructions? Is there a method to clear out the vacuum itself? Sucking on the hose end (for lack of better words) ?
Lake Girl
Moderator
Sounds like you need to get the deep clean done as build-up of ash in the stove or exhaust can cause vacuum problems that will keep that auger off. Make sure you pull the baffle off by the heat exchangers (page 31), remove right side panel so you can access ash clean-out (page 27 of your manual). Not sure what material the fire bricks are made of and if there is a void behind them... My stove has an exhaust pathway from the heat exchangers down the sides and across to the combustion blower. I usually get in there with a dryer lint brush and follow up with a hose attached to my vacuum as fly ash clings to the interior surfaces.
Sounds like you have to remove the convection blower to get to the combustion blower. Need a replacement gasket for the combustion blower but it is a good idea to pull that and clean there. If you do this, make sure you are unplugging stove and making notes of wire attachment so you can put it back together ... notes or pics help out.
Exhaust venting needs a brushing and vacuum too. What is your exhaust set-up?
Leaf blower trick is from the outside end of exhaust venting using the vacuum port - remember to disconnect vacuum switch hose. Use the search box above as there are videos posted on the board...
Keep us posted!
Sounds like you have to remove the convection blower to get to the combustion blower. Need a replacement gasket for the combustion blower but it is a good idea to pull that and clean there. If you do this, make sure you are unplugging stove and making notes of wire attachment so you can put it back together ... notes or pics help out.
Exhaust venting needs a brushing and vacuum too. What is your exhaust set-up?
Leaf blower trick is from the outside end of exhaust venting using the vacuum port - remember to disconnect vacuum switch hose. Use the search box above as there are videos posted on the board...
Keep us posted!
^ X 2 what she said !
Several Quad threads of recent where folks have had a sawdust plugged vacuum hose, or the auger nipple it attaches to. You can use Dust Off compressed air if you have it to make sure the silicone tubing is clear, or just blow through it. Take a toothpick or straightened out paper clip and poke it in the nipple on the back side of the auger to clear it of any sawdust obstruction.
If the silicone vacuum tubing has any micro cracks, or looks 'mushroomed' at either end, (more often the auger end, where it gets exposed to more heat), you can take a scissors and trim it back just enough to get to a fresh section of the hose.
It's pretty rare that vac switches fail, though if can get sawdust into it also, especially if you blow into the auger end of the tube to clear it with the vac switch end connected, and the switch clogs up with sawdust.
More commonly, check your spade terminals for loose connections or corrosion.
If you have an ohmmeter and a little electrical knowledge you can check for continuity of the switch by touching one probe to each switch terminal (doesn't matter which + or - probe you use to which terminal) and applying a little mouth suction on the auger end of the tubing with the vac switch end connected, and see if the switch closes (you should hear an audible click when the switch closes under gentle suction), and your ohmmeter needle bumps to the opposite side of the scale.
RE your burn pot filling up. Quads are designed to pull allot of air through the fire pot to help keep the pellets burning optimally. Unless you're burning 'dirt in a bag' pellets, most of the ash should get blown out of the burn pot into the firebox, and out the venting. Ash build-up half way up your burn pot within a couple days would point to an exhaust path restriction, as Lake Girl and others have mentioned. I assume your EVL (equivalent vent length) is within Quad specs ?
No disrespect intended to stove techs, but assuming they did a "thorough cleaning job" of the entire exhaust pathway over the summer may not always be the case, when time constraints of pushing to meet a service schedule can lead to short cuts. And the fact that you are on your third ton of pellets, allot of which sounds like was burned on the low stove setting, which generates more ash and pushes less out the vent, says that your vacuum issue is more than likely caused by ash obstruction / vent restriction.
Do the 'ash dragon' (leaf blower trick), bro !
Keep back in touch on here on your progress.
Several Quad threads of recent where folks have had a sawdust plugged vacuum hose, or the auger nipple it attaches to. You can use Dust Off compressed air if you have it to make sure the silicone tubing is clear, or just blow through it. Take a toothpick or straightened out paper clip and poke it in the nipple on the back side of the auger to clear it of any sawdust obstruction.
If the silicone vacuum tubing has any micro cracks, or looks 'mushroomed' at either end, (more often the auger end, where it gets exposed to more heat), you can take a scissors and trim it back just enough to get to a fresh section of the hose.
It's pretty rare that vac switches fail, though if can get sawdust into it also, especially if you blow into the auger end of the tube to clear it with the vac switch end connected, and the switch clogs up with sawdust.
More commonly, check your spade terminals for loose connections or corrosion.If you have an ohmmeter and a little electrical knowledge you can check for continuity of the switch by touching one probe to each switch terminal (doesn't matter which + or - probe you use to which terminal) and applying a little mouth suction on the auger end of the tubing with the vac switch end connected, and see if the switch closes (you should hear an audible click when the switch closes under gentle suction), and your ohmmeter needle bumps to the opposite side of the scale.
RE your burn pot filling up. Quads are designed to pull allot of air through the fire pot to help keep the pellets burning optimally. Unless you're burning 'dirt in a bag' pellets, most of the ash should get blown out of the burn pot into the firebox, and out the venting. Ash build-up half way up your burn pot within a couple days would point to an exhaust path restriction, as Lake Girl and others have mentioned. I assume your EVL (equivalent vent length) is within Quad specs ?
No disrespect intended to stove techs, but assuming they did a "thorough cleaning job" of the entire exhaust pathway over the summer may not always be the case, when time constraints of pushing to meet a service schedule can lead to short cuts. And the fact that you are on your third ton of pellets, allot of which sounds like was burned on the low stove setting, which generates more ash and pushes less out the vent, says that your vacuum issue is more than likely caused by ash obstruction / vent restriction.
Do the 'ash dragon' (leaf blower trick), bro !
Keep back in touch on here on your progress.
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I am officially up and running! You guys and gals are a huge help! LakeGirl, I removed the baffle and the other panels and I was completely shocked to see how much ash buildup was behind those walls! I cleaned all the ash out as best as possible without vacuuming…I had been using an old vacuum and it was blowing more fly ash around the house than I would have liked, so I just now ordered a new ash vac from amazon which will be here Tuesday. Then I will do a thorough vacuuming behind the panels and baffles.
So after cleaning the ash out from behind the baffle walls I took out the 4 screws on the right side and cleaned that area out. I could see the blower fins and they look dusty too, but again, I'll wait until I get the vacuum tuesday to do a good vacuuming.
Then I plugged it in and set the thermostat to call for heat. Pellets began to drop in and after hitting reset a few times, I got a flame! Its been running for about 20 minutes now and seems to be back to normal.
I took pics of what the inside of the stove looked like with the panels removed as I couldn't believe how much crap was built up. I will post those pics tomorrow.
Also Lake Girl, I'm going to wait to pull the combustion blower and convection blower for now, but I will clean those also.
As far as my exhaust set up, so the people who we bought our house from this past July had this set up already. There is the standard exhaust pipe from the back of the stove going up about 4 feet maybe, then through the wall and into an existing chimney. I'm guessing there used to be a fireplace or wood stove here prior. So the pipe just goes through the wall and into the old chimney. That was completely clogged up with crap when we first moved in here. I cleaned that by shoveling most of it out then vacuuming it. It was also cleaned again by the service tech that came out to do the cleaning a while back. So the was its set up, I can't do the leaf blower trick unless I stick it into the hole in the wall and blow the ash out through the chimney!
So DMKNLD I can't bring the dragon to life! lol, but I definitely know what your saying about the service techs having time constraints etc. I had to make an appointment 2 months in advance because they said they are that busy so I'm sure they are running all day and may have to cut a corner or two here and there.
Here is another question I have in general about pellet stoves, especially mine, the MT Vernon QUadrafire. How safe are they? I'm told they are very safe but since I've had so many little issues here and there with this thing, it took me a while to get to trust it enough to leave it run overnight or when I went out to the store etc. What are some worse case scenarios that may cause an issue like a hopper fire or anything that could be damaging? Again, thank you guys so much for ur help in getting me up and running again. I'm still very new to the pellet stove world and I'm learning a lot from the boards here!
So after cleaning the ash out from behind the baffle walls I took out the 4 screws on the right side and cleaned that area out. I could see the blower fins and they look dusty too, but again, I'll wait until I get the vacuum tuesday to do a good vacuuming.
Then I plugged it in and set the thermostat to call for heat. Pellets began to drop in and after hitting reset a few times, I got a flame! Its been running for about 20 minutes now and seems to be back to normal.
I took pics of what the inside of the stove looked like with the panels removed as I couldn't believe how much crap was built up. I will post those pics tomorrow.
Also Lake Girl, I'm going to wait to pull the combustion blower and convection blower for now, but I will clean those also.
As far as my exhaust set up, so the people who we bought our house from this past July had this set up already. There is the standard exhaust pipe from the back of the stove going up about 4 feet maybe, then through the wall and into an existing chimney. I'm guessing there used to be a fireplace or wood stove here prior. So the pipe just goes through the wall and into the old chimney. That was completely clogged up with crap when we first moved in here. I cleaned that by shoveling most of it out then vacuuming it. It was also cleaned again by the service tech that came out to do the cleaning a while back. So the was its set up, I can't do the leaf blower trick unless I stick it into the hole in the wall and blow the ash out through the chimney!
So DMKNLD I can't bring the dragon to life! lol, but I definitely know what your saying about the service techs having time constraints etc. I had to make an appointment 2 months in advance because they said they are that busy so I'm sure they are running all day and may have to cut a corner or two here and there.
Here is another question I have in general about pellet stoves, especially mine, the MT Vernon QUadrafire. How safe are they? I'm told they are very safe but since I've had so many little issues here and there with this thing, it took me a while to get to trust it enough to leave it run overnight or when I went out to the store etc. What are some worse case scenarios that may cause an issue like a hopper fire or anything that could be damaging? Again, thank you guys so much for ur help in getting me up and running again. I'm still very new to the pellet stove world and I'm learning a lot from the boards here!
Lake Girl
Moderator
Glad to hear you are up and running Waiting to see those pics...
May want to check further into the exhaust set-up ... liner up chimney seems to be the more common install.
Waiting to see those pics...May want to check further into the exhaust set-up ... liner up chimney seems to be the more common install.
Thank you! I will definatley post pics tomorrow. With all the help, I was able to get up and running just in time for a blizzard! Expecting up to 2 feet of snow tomorrow here in NJ! Thanks again and good night!
Best thing to do, is keep that stove clean. A dirty stove will cause more issues then anything. There are lots of safety features on these stoves to prevent issues, but maintenance is the best prevention. kap
First pic is the backside of the upper baffle cast. A few inches of ash! The other 3 pics are pretty self explanatory. Again, I was shocked at the amount of buildup hidden behind the panels
![[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/151/151725-ccd0f0963a74aa14896cd2724200d2ac.jpg?hash=TII0EJS6J7 "[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!")
![[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/151/151726-bc5ce105648c1d2826013c8ea7ccb5a9.jpg?hash=NEElcg2wWk "[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!")
![[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/151/151727-753c5d4d9468d305510455f25ab0b791.jpg?hash=Ex3hZKzKxT "[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!")
![[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/151/151728-54ee691981212f8e8ea8d32da6424bf5.jpg?hash=RabrWzoh69 "[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!")
I used a wire brush to clean the cast panels outside and brushed them off clean. I should have taken an after pic before I re-started the fire, but it looks totally different now. **UPDATE** it ran all night without any issues. The flame stayed constant and there is nearly no ash buildup anywhere. So far so good
I used a wire brush to clean the cast panels outside and brushed them off clean. I should have taken an after pic before I re-started the fire, but it looks totally different now. **UPDATE** it ran all night without any issues. The flame stayed constant and there is nearly no ash buildup anywhere. So far so good![[Hearth.com] Mt.Vernon Quadrafire issues…..AGAIN!](/talk/data/attachments/151/151732-003e0887989e5cd5904668bc7e446615.jpg?hash=E5upojZ5CW)
Yep, your stove was plugged up from lack of proper cleaning. Put some anti seeze on the threads of the screws that hold the rear and right side panel on. My experience says the screws only need to be tight not cranked down on or they can be very hard to get out next time.
I have taken my vac switch out of the stove and sucked lightly on the port to get dust out which I did. I did this after having intermittent problems with it and have had no more problems with it. Wasn't pleasant though so if you do this be carefull.
On my stove there is a gasket on the top of the back cast panel that can be tricky getting back in with the top panel correctly. I found a parts cleaning brush works well to clean the combustion blower fan without having to take it out of the stove. I have taken it out once and can see very little difference by taking it out to clean opposed to just brushing the fins from the clean out door on the right. Whatever you do be carefull of the fins. At least a couple times a season I empty the hooper and clean out the fines at the bottom of the feed augar just to help the stove stay cleaner. It's the fine dust that causes issues in my opinion.
I feel it would be very hard to have a hooper fire in this stove based on the way the pellets feed and there are overheat protections in place to prevent any type of problems. I ran my stove 24/7 all last year without a thought about safety. We do clean the pot and glass once a day as we don't like the cloudiness on the glass.
You have a workhorse stove and it will provide many years of good service if kept clean. My stove doesn't seem to produce much ash in the pipe venting system and I usually go for 3 or more tons before I touch it. Usually get about a half cup out of the vent at that time. Almost not worth doing. I've got about 10' of venting into a chimney and just don't see much ash.
Sounds like you have your stove back to running so good luck..
I have taken my vac switch out of the stove and sucked lightly on the port to get dust out which I did. I did this after having intermittent problems with it and have had no more problems with it. Wasn't pleasant though so if you do this be carefull.
On my stove there is a gasket on the top of the back cast panel that can be tricky getting back in with the top panel correctly. I found a parts cleaning brush works well to clean the combustion blower fan without having to take it out of the stove. I have taken it out once and can see very little difference by taking it out to clean opposed to just brushing the fins from the clean out door on the right. Whatever you do be carefull of the fins. At least a couple times a season I empty the hooper and clean out the fines at the bottom of the feed augar just to help the stove stay cleaner. It's the fine dust that causes issues in my opinion.
I feel it would be very hard to have a hooper fire in this stove based on the way the pellets feed and there are overheat protections in place to prevent any type of problems. I ran my stove 24/7 all last year without a thought about safety. We do clean the pot and glass once a day as we don't like the cloudiness on the glass.
You have a workhorse stove and it will provide many years of good service if kept clean. My stove doesn't seem to produce much ash in the pipe venting system and I usually go for 3 or more tons before I touch it. Usually get about a half cup out of the vent at that time. Almost not worth doing. I've got about 10' of venting into a chimney and just don't see much ash.
Sounds like you have your stove back to running so good luck..
Lake Girl
Moderator
Thanks for the pics That would explain your shut-downs! Keep it clean and it will be able to do it's job with minimum problems!
Does the left brick come out? If not, do you have tubing that can be attached to vacuum to snake up into the void? I bought the micro kit for my shop-vac and use the drywall filter for when I do a big clean - sized tubing to that.
What kind of vacuum have you got coming?
That would explain your shut-downs! Keep it clean and it will be able to do it's job with minimum problems!Does the left brick come out? If not, do you have tubing that can be attached to vacuum to snake up into the void? I bought the micro kit for my shop-vac and use the drywall filter for when I do a big clean - sized tubing to that.
What kind of vacuum have you got coming?
What????
You have to really clean these things???
No way, they are a set and forget thing just like the air filters on a forced hot air system!
I have this on good authority, why, oh why doesn't Mother Nature just agree?
A clean stove is a happy, warm, and safe stove and so too are its owners.
You have to really clean these things???
No way, they are a set and forget thing just like the air filters on a forced hot air system!
I have this on good authority, why, oh why doesn't Mother Nature just agree?
A clean stove is a happy, warm, and safe stove and so too are its owners.
alternativeheat
Minister of Fire
Now that you have your ash vacuum ( I assume since today was to be the day) set yourself up on a cleaning schedule for that stove ! No way your stove should go that far again, it was pretty grunged up there . For instance , if I have really ash free pellets burning in the stove maybe deep cleaning monthly. As you move along in all this you will better gauge just when those cleaning should be as based on quality of pellets in terms of ash and quantity used. More ashy pellets may need a good cleaning weekly. You want to get ahead of that kind of build up of ash though. You want to be cleaning that baby when there is a 1/4 of that kind of accumulation I would think.. The thing was choking to death. Lesson learned, no harm done, and that's wonderful !!
Yep, they are great heaters when, and only when, they can breath.
I think a lot of new folks just don't think about what is happening when they are burning pellets. I don't think most are aware the stoves operate under a vacuum and need to be kept clean. It would help if the stores that sold the stoves were a bit more forthcoming on what's in store for a new owner. I understand why their not but non the less the newby needs to know there is maintenance involved and more than once a year depending on the amount and type pellets burned.
I think a lot of new folks just don't think about what is happening when they are burning pellets. I don't think most are aware the stoves operate under a vacuum and need to be kept clean. It would help if the stores that sold the stoves were a bit more forthcoming on what's in store for a new owner. I understand why their not but non the less the newby needs to know there is maintenance involved and more than once a year depending on the amount and type pellets burned.
Holy moly that was a lot of buildup.
So is why love this form everyone chips and help everyone out thanks guys And gals even of this wasn't my problem.
So is why love this form everyone chips and help everyone out thanks guys And gals even of this wasn't my problem.
Just to be clear everyone, I bought a new house end of July. This pellet stove was already in here and it was not in working order. I had a pellet stove tech come and do a cleaning and I had to replace many parts, ignitor, control box, fire pot was damaged and needed to be repaired and the obvious gaskets, (fire pot, door, clean out port etc). So for the people trying to be wise with the "these things need to be cleaned" comments, they are definitely not necessary. I clean the stove 2 times a week. Didn't realize how often the cast needed to come out to be cleaned behind everything. Now I know. Lake Girl, thank you for continuing to provide helpful answers and suggestions for me. I bought the Shop Vac 4041200 ash vac. Its supposed to be here tomorrow via amazon prime shipping. Then I will take everything back apart and vac it all clean. Again, just to be clear, I've turned this stove on for the first time in November so relax with the sarcasm Smokey. Again, thanks for those who are helpful
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