Pellets not fully burning in the Englandar 25pdv stove

[jwoot]

Hello

I am running into a strange problem with my pellet stove(englander 25pdv). In the past few weeks the pellet stove has started to not completely burn the pellets.

Specifically it has gotten colder out (0 degrees) so I kicked the stove into c mode and we usually run at 3/3. While it is completely expected that we use more pellets during this time they are always almost completely Burned.

Now... It seems like they are barely burning. The fire always starts and never burns out. The stove is running at 6-6-1 burn rate. Nothing that I can place has changed but it just isn't burning right. I tried switching back to do mode and got the same thing.

Initially I suspected the pellets but I have used the same batch all year and also use these in my shop pellet stove.(old glowking) the pellets burn like a champ there.

Next thought was the stove needed a good cleaning.. Good internal/leaf blower technique to be sure and a thorough cleaning of the exhaust stack.

At this point I am kind of at a loss to the cause... No errors or reasons that I am aware of. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jwoot]

I should say the attached picture took place after 5- 6 hours of burning. Very unusual for this stove

 

[slvrblkk]

I know you just LBM'd the stove but did you pull and check the combustion blower to make sure it isn't "caked up"? Unless something is hosed with the board or blower it's probably an air flow issue??????? Also, did you check the oak inlet?

 

[jwoot]

The air flow seems OK outside during operation but I should pull that to be sure. Last time was the start of season cleaning.. The outside air kit is a good thought.. I have not checked this recently. Only thing is wouldn't the fire die all the time or the lazy fire I am seeing explain this?

I guess it is time for a full teardown :/

 

[slvrblkk]

How many pellets have you gone through so far this season?

 

[MSmith66]

Hello

I am running into a strange problem with my pellet stove(englander 25pdv). In the past few weeks the pellet stove has started to not completely burn the pellets.

Specifically it has gotten colder out (0 degrees) so I kicked the stove into c mode and we usually run at 3/3. While it is completely expected that we use more pellets during this time they are always almost completely Burned.

Now... It seems like they are barely burning. The fire always starts and never burns out. The stove is running at 6-6-1 burn rate. Nothing that I can place has changed but it just isn't burning right. I tried switching back to do mode and got the same thing.

Initially I suspected the pellets but I have used the same batch all year and also use these in my shop pellet stove.(old glowking) the pellets burn like a champ there.

Next thought was the stove needed a good cleaning.. Good internal/leaf blower technique to be sure and a thorough cleaning of the exhaust stack.

At this point I am kind of at a loss to the cause... No errors or reasons that I am aware of. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. View attachment 125060

That stove needs a power cleaning!

 

[stoveguy2esw]

poor baby has COPD! you are badly plugged up somewhere or you have a massive air leak.

you aren't burning the pellets your cooking them so you are getting probably less than half the output of stored energy from the fuel.

please explain the method you used for the LB cleaning, you may need to look at a more aggressive method (I know such things)

 

[SmokeEater]

Cool the stove down and clean the combustion fan and vent. Check to see that you have the correct draft. Check your gaskets for leaks, whatever it is you can boil it down to NOT ENOUGH DRAFT. Most likely the stove needs to be cleaned through and through. Been there and done that

 

[RossBoyle]

Sounds like it's time to take the combustion blower out and give it a good cleaning. Also be sure and vacuum out the exhaust tube real well. There are some hard to reach spots near the back of the fire box where I use a modified piece of coat hanger to loosen any build up soot so that the shop vac can suck it out. (always disconnect the electrical supply before working at the rear of the stove) Make sure you have a replacement seal for the combustion blower housing before you take it out. Also be sure there is no slag build up on the side of the fire pot. This can restrict air flow as well.

 

[pelletizer]

I usually clean the combustion blower vanes and rear area were the vanes reside and run a vac in reverse to blow out the exhaust pipe through the wall at least once or twice in the burn season.
just have an extra gasket on hand or be very careful not to damage the existing one.

 

[BUBIBEAR]

Had same problem, The pellets I was burning were longer than others I burned before. What was happening,is the pellet were bridging at the restrictor gate the lack of pellet to the auger let the fire damp down and when the pellets did break loose they choked the fire enough to cause less air to flow. I opened the gate at the bottom of the hopper some and it solved my problem. Just thought it would be worth a try.

 

[Dr.Faustus]

in doing your complete cleaning, including inspecting the exhaust and all the air passages, check the oak screen outside, hit it with compressed air, and better take take off the oak and make sure something isnt in there impeding air flow. I've had dust plug up my oak screen once, and once it had sucked snow in and made an icy sheet on the screen that was hard to see.

 

[Kngfshr73]

poor baby has COPD! you are badly plugged up somewhere or you have a massive air leak.

you aren't burning the pellets your cooking them so you are getting probably less than half the output of stored energy from the fuel.

please explain the method you used for the LB cleaning, you may need to look at a more aggressive method (I know such things)

Hi Mike, what is the more aggressive method? Jwoots picture is what my stove can look like. I have also done the leaf blower cleaning which entails pulling it all apart and blasting every hole and crevice possible with a back pack leaf blower. Putting all back together

 

[Kngfshr73]

Sorry, newbie posting and hit the wrong button.
To continue from last short post.... I put it all back together with new gaskets and new exhaust blower. I did the flame test on the door and window and no leaks. I even tried several different pellets thinking some may have had to much moisture. I can not run the stove over 4 with out it looking like jwoots. OAK is also good. Would love to hear more about the more aggressive cleaning method as I thought the leaf blower was pretty good. Thanks in advance for your time. Jwoot, thanks for posting.

 

[CladMaster]

That is a sure good sign of lack of air flow. Pull the stove apart and clean it out, every part of the exhaust path from the burn pot to the exhaust end cap.
Once you done that, check to make sure the OAK is not stuffed with snow / ice.

 

[Kngfshr73]

That is a sure good sign of lack of air flow. Pull the stove apart and clean it out, every part of the exhaust path from the burn pot to the exhaust end cap.
Once you done that, check to make sure the OAK is not stuffed with snow / ice.

Thanks CladMaster.
Just wanted to give all an update and what solved my problem. I pulled the stove completely apart and gave it another thorough cleaning. This time I rigged up a 3 foot piece of hose (1/2 inch I.D.) to the shop vac to clean the exhaust path behind the baffle plate. First I used a length of wire to loosen as much as possible then vacuumed out as much as possible from the front. Next I removed the combustion blower and did the same from the back. I am guessing it is next to impossible to thread a piece of wire or hose through the entire exhaust path to loosen the debris so I improvised. After vacuuming as much as possible from the front and back, I reversed the shop vac to blow instead of suck and threaded my rigged hose as far down as possible from the front and blew out the rest. I must say I was a bit surprised on how much was still trapped In there even after vacuuming from front and back. Blowing it out from the front seemed to get the rest. She's running like a champ again and no more COPD.
Thanks to all on this site for the information. It has been a huge help on many different fronts.
Jwoot, I hope this helps your situation, your picture was just about spot on to what my stove was doing.