Overfull Burn Pot - Any Danger?

[RKBAGUY]

I'm wondering if there's any danger to letting a burn pot get too full. I often have to be away from my home for three or four days at a clip, and would prefer to let the stove run for as long as possible. Is there any particular danger to letting the burn pot get too full? Near as I can figure, the worst that can happen is that the fire goes out from lack of airflow/oxygen, the limit switch kicks the auger motor off, and that's it. Or am I asking for trouble?

 

[reallyte]

Most stoves have safety features for an overfire. However if it is overfiring on its own it isn't working correctly.

 

[Bioburner]

Or are you referring to the pot filling with ash because of it not being tended for a few days?

 

[Don2222]

I'm wondering if there's any danger to letting a burn pot get too full. I often have to be away from my home for three or four days at a clip, and would prefer to let the stove run for as long as possible. Is there any particular danger to letting the burn pot get too full? Near as I can figure, the worst that can happen is that the fire goes out from lack of airflow/oxygen, the limit switch kicks the auger motor off, and that's it. Or am I asking for trouble?

What make and model stove are you talking about?

 

[RKBAGUY]

Or are you referring to the pot filling with ash because of it not being tended for a few days?

This.

Austroflam Integra, mfr date 1991.

 

[Mark_ms]

I don't think you have enough hopper capacity to let it run 3-4 days even on a low feed setting and on a low setting your not producing enough heat to keep your house warm enough.
In the middle of winter I have it on a middle (+) setting and I need to put pellets in after 12 hours.

 

[RKBAGUY]

I don't think you have enough hopper capacity to let it run 3-4 days even on a low feed setting and on a low setting your not producing enough heat to keep your house warm enough.
In the middle of winter I have it on a middle (+) setting and I need to put pellets in after 12 hours.

I think you may be right, but in the meantime I got my answer.

Seems the pot became too full while I was away for almost two days, and the burn went out. I came home to a stove full of creosote, presumably because of the smouldering before the burn died out. Any suggestions on how to clean the creosote from a fireplace?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

I think you may be right, but in the meantime I got my question.

Seems the pot became too full while I was away for a day and a half, and the burn went out. I came home to a stove full of creosote, presumably because of the smouldering before the burn died out. Any suggestions on how to clean the creosote from a fireplace?

Warm soapy water works quite well on creosote, just remember water and electricity are a deadly combination so be certain the stove is unplugged until the mess is gone and the stove is dry.

Please note, this method creates one very messy situation be certain to protect things you don't want to ruin.

 

[krooser]

I'm thinking your stove is plugged with ash... #1 cause of a pellet overflow.

 

[RKBAGUY]

I'm thinking your stove is plugged with ash... #1 cause of a pellet overflow.

Nope. As I posted above, it was because I was away for two days worth of burning and the pot was filled with ash when I came home.

 

[krooser]

Nope. As I posted above, it was because I was away for two days worth of burning and the pot was filled with ash when I came home.

OK.... never had that happen. I would think the stove would have enough air flow to blow most of the ash out of the pot for a couple days of running... maybe not.

 

[Mark_ms]

OK.... never had that happen. I would think the stove would have enough air flow to blow most of the ash out of the pot for a couple days of running... maybe not.

I have never had that happen to my Integra. My ash flows out and lands to the side in the pan like it is supposed to. The fact that there was creosote present indicates there is a problem somewhere.

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

The problem is poor airflow either due to ash in the works or a failing air sensor, blower motor, etc...

 

[RKBAGUY]

So you're saying you never have to empty the burn pot on your stove?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

So you're saying you never have to empty the burn pot on your stove?

I didn't say that, I empty the burn pot on my stove when it is needed. However it isn't after two days. I can go at least 26 bags, at that point I can't stand to look at the window of the stove.

Others can go even longer.

Your stove's ash ejection is accomplished by the air flow through the burn pot. Anything that interferes with that air flow leads to burn pot build up.

And to answer your question I'll pose a couple of questions:

1. Can creosote when lit off cause a chimney fire and burn your house down?

2. Can a top feed system backup and burn back when the burn pot gets full and there are still pellets to feed?

The answers to the above are Yes and Yes.

 

[Mark_ms]

I do have to empty my burnpot, it is usually after a week of 24/7 burning (unless I start getting "clinkers").
If you think about it if you left your stove running it should run out of pellets, then shut down, not pile up in burnpot. As Smokey indicated you have a restriction in airflow somewhere either physically or bad sensor, gasket leak, motor etc.

If it were me I would start checking the "physical" portions of the stove first where ash may be gathering air intake combustion exhaust etc, then the electrical portion as I am not as good trouble shooting electrical.
You have a great stove, lets help you get it going.
Mark

 

[RKBAGUY]

As this is my first pellet stove, if you don't know what to expect, you don't know what questions to ask. I thought I had cleaned it thoroughly before installing it, but I did miss that square back panel on the side by the circuit board. I also think that the gap between the glass and frame is restricting the air wash, too. In the meantime I turned the combustion fan adjustment on the user board all the way up, and that seems to be helping, but I'll wait until this present bag is burned through and will pull her out and clean again.

What do you guys use to remove creosote buildup? I was thinking turpentine (since it's a wood derivative) but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[RKBAGUY]

It's funny what you can find out if you experiment a bit.

After burning through the remaining pellets in the hopper, I let the stove cool, determined to get at the spot I missed (the trapezoid shaped panel) by the control board.

It wasn't clogged, but there was some built up, caked ash, so I brushed and vacuumed that out. Also removed the glass to be sure there were no obstructions at the top gap.

And then it hit me to try something I didn't do the first time, based on the suggestion about the airflow sensor. I put the vacuum nozzle at the rear of the stove by the fresh air intake, and sure enough, what sounded like a half handful of pellets came rattling out, and into the vacuum.

I'm presently burning a bag of PellHeat pellets, and will report back if things are still not right.