New Harman P43 Flame Height?

[MichFish86]

Into day 3 of figuring out my new Harman P43. The manual says the flame height should be at 6", but mine is consistently just touching the top of the stove compartment (1st photo below). Second question is the amount of buildup on the lip of the burn pot (2nd photo). Do both these things look normal or should I change something?

Currently:
OAK Installed
Cubex pellets (2.5 bags/day, single digits outdoors)
Feed rate 3
Room temp 75 (Actual room temp 70)

 

[mikkeeh]

Flame looks ok to me. Seems like alot of ash buildup....probably related to the brand /composition of pellets. Mine will build up like that after about 12hrs if I don't scrape it How long does it take to get to that level?.

 

[roadking88]

holly chit open the door and clean that crap out on the burn pot...what you have your feed rate set at??

 

[MichFish86]

That was about 10 hours of burning on feed rate 3. I was under the impression that part of the Harman's stove design is to keep pushing the ash out of the pot on its own. I was also told the Cubex is a high end pellet, but I picked up Maine's Choice and NorthEast Pellets to try as well. Also going to try to come up with a few more brands. Without having compared anything yet, it is tough to tell how much ash is a lot.

 

[P38X2]

After about 10 hours, that's quite a bit of ash. If that's from Cubex, yer probably not gonna like what Maine's Choice leaves.

Flames hitting the top of the firebox is normal. You're obviously running the stove hard with that pellet consumption.

Try setting the feed rate to 4. Also, get used to giving the burn pot lip a quick zing once in a while with the Harman tool, just don't get all OCD about it. Some ash up there is completely fine, but don't let it build up too much or it'll start blocking the holes and eventually cause the flame to get "squished" between the ash dam and the flame guide. The stove will continue to run, but not as efficiently as it should.

 

[MichFish86]

Thanks for advice. I have no problem giving it a quick cleaning a few times per day, just didn't know I had to.

 

[jackman]

I agree, you should open up and clean the burn pot. I do it daily. The flame looks about like mine.

 

[shelby2001]

It might just be the photo but #2 almost looks like your trap to the ignitor is not closed on the left side if so that could be creating all that ash? Could just be the way the photo was taken though.

 

[GeHmTS]

You should read the manual and watch the DVD that came with the stove. It will tell you everything you need to know. The ash build up is normal after awhile and should be cleaned daily. A good time to clean the ash is when you are filling the hopper.

 

[Hoot23]

That is a lot of ash. What are you burning now.

 

[MichFish86]

That is a lot of ash. What are you burning now.

That was 10 hours of Cubex. Putting in Maine's Choice now but I'm expecting that to be quite a bit worse. The only other brand I was able to find around town today is NorthEast Pellets (from TSC). I'm planning to try a few other places tomorrow (pending the 12 inches of forecast snow).

It might just be the photo but #2 almost looks like your trap to the ignitor is not closed on the left side if so that could be creating all that ash? Could just be the way the photo was taken though.

I think Shelby2001 is onto something. Are you referring the blackening that is forming next to the left wingnut? That's really there, its not just the picture.

 

[jackman]

It might just be the photo but #2 almost looks like your trap to the ignitor is not closed on the left side if so that could be creating all that ash? Could just be the way the photo was taken though.

I see that as well now that you mention it. I would suggest you make sure the screws for the igniter hatch are fully tightened and there's no gap causing the combustion air to leak. If you have a good flame proof glove you may be able to check it without shutting down the stove.

 

[New Hampshire Jim]

Flame height looks normal..As far as the ash Its the crappy Cubex giving you that much.I had a half ton of them last year and they would give me dog turd size ash in the burn pot that would eventually block the air holes and make a lazy flame. Do your self a favor and try a good quality pellet Oakanagan or Vermonts you will see a world of difference You paid BIG BUCKS for a quality stove and you should not have to clean the burn pot

 

[Hoot23]

I burned some Northen last year, and the ash wasn't nearly as bad as that. Although the second ton I burned wasn't as clean as the first. Way more as, but not like that. That wing nut does look loose.

 

[GeHmTS]

It might just be the photo but #2 almost looks like your trap to the ignitor is not closed on the left side if so that could be creating all that ash? Could just be the way the photo was taken though.

Good catch, I was just able to see that. Now in fact, his stove looks dirtier than normal outside the burn pot.

 

[silverfox103]

This is my 6th year with my Harman stoves, what you are seeing is normal. The flame height is fine and the ash build up just happens; depending on the type of pellets it may be more or less.

Tom C.

 

[Oilhater]

I get less than that much ash after 48 nonstop hours of burning Curran softies...or about 3 bags. Feed rate 4, stove temp 4-5.

 

[gfreek]

Looks Ok to me. I have a P38+ and the flame looks the same to me and the ash buildup, which will change depending on pellet brand. I usually take the scraper tool and pull off the ashes ...