I'm new to these forums and I'd like to pick the brain of a few pellet veterans. Had a Country (says Winslow on the manual) PS40 Stove installed a couple years back and it's definitely served it's purpose. Anyway, I came here looking for some recommendations and suggestions on a few things.
1. Is the PS40 a quality stove, how does it compare with other brands?
2. It was serviced (poorly) by the company it was bought from and after the guy shoved a wire brush up the pipe and poked around for a bit, I noticed that there's smoke smell every time the stove is turned on. This didn't happen before the guy "serviced" the stove. I would go back on him but the company is rather poor and overcharges for what I would call, lacking service. While they do their job properly, I feel (even though I'm inexperienced) that I can clean and maintain the stove for cheaper and more effectively. He did come back out at a later time to replace the igniter (another question) and I asked him and he said that a joint is probably a little loose and that some high-temp silicone would fix it. Long story short, what would be some good high-temp silicone or possibly other material to seal the pipe up?
3. Since the stove was installed, the igniter has failed once. I was told that it is due to the thermostat calling for heat and turning the igniter on and off and wearing it out. I find this hard to believe and even if it's true, it would seem an easy fix to replace the control unit that calls for it since it shouldn't have to ignite a fire that's already going. Anyway, I found this igniter that looks identical to the one that was replaced here: (broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/country-pellet-stove-ignitor-whose-clamp-pips40-p-9319.html) I'm thinking that price is pretty steep. Is that a normal price? Is there a better place to get it from? How fast do they usually "wear" out?
4. Is there a special type of chimney sweep that should be bought for pellet stove use? I've looked in the manual for lessons on how to clean it and I've cleaned the blower motor and all the usual stuff but I'm curious if theres oiling points for any of the parts. I didn't see anything in the manual and I'm just kinda curious.
5. Does anyone else live in northern Idaho and maybe know some of the prices around? What would be considered a "good" price per ton? I got 3 tons delivered a year or two back for $636 but it looks like they've gone up (along with everything else).
I think that covers my curiosity. Thanks in advance for any help that's provided.
1. Is the PS40 a quality stove, how does it compare with other brands?
2. It was serviced (poorly) by the company it was bought from and after the guy shoved a wire brush up the pipe and poked around for a bit, I noticed that there's smoke smell every time the stove is turned on. This didn't happen before the guy "serviced" the stove. I would go back on him but the company is rather poor and overcharges for what I would call, lacking service. While they do their job properly, I feel (even though I'm inexperienced) that I can clean and maintain the stove for cheaper and more effectively. He did come back out at a later time to replace the igniter (another question) and I asked him and he said that a joint is probably a little loose and that some high-temp silicone would fix it. Long story short, what would be some good high-temp silicone or possibly other material to seal the pipe up?
3. Since the stove was installed, the igniter has failed once. I was told that it is due to the thermostat calling for heat and turning the igniter on and off and wearing it out. I find this hard to believe and even if it's true, it would seem an easy fix to replace the control unit that calls for it since it shouldn't have to ignite a fire that's already going. Anyway, I found this igniter that looks identical to the one that was replaced here: (broken link removed to http://woodheatstoves.com/country-pellet-stove-ignitor-whose-clamp-pips40-p-9319.html) I'm thinking that price is pretty steep. Is that a normal price? Is there a better place to get it from? How fast do they usually "wear" out?
4. Is there a special type of chimney sweep that should be bought for pellet stove use? I've looked in the manual for lessons on how to clean it and I've cleaned the blower motor and all the usual stuff but I'm curious if theres oiling points for any of the parts. I didn't see anything in the manual and I'm just kinda curious.
5. Does anyone else live in northern Idaho and maybe know some of the prices around? What would be considered a "good" price per ton? I got 3 tons delivered a year or two back for $636 but it looks like they've gone up (along with everything else).
I think that covers my curiosity. Thanks in advance for any help that's provided.
