PS40 firepot issues?

[mikec2003]

I picked up this stove used about 2 years ago. Seemed fine last season. This season, the firepot seems to fill with ash very easily, which of course results in a lazy flame after a few hours and sooty glass.

It's my understanding that the combustion blower should blow out the firepot every now and again, and it seems like that is not happening. Thinking it may be a vacuum leak, I replaced the door seal and the ash tray seal, with no improvement. I havent tried different pellets since im sitting on 2 tons of pellets (Barefoot brand)

The stove is a 2006 model year. Is it possible firepots just go bad over time? it is a bit old with a bit of rust. The holes in it seem clear, but should they be drilled out or something every once in a while?

I'm getting a little tired of having such a lazy and inefficient fire, I know it's bad for pellet consumption. When the pot is cleaned out, the fire is nice and good for probably 10-12 hours.

I have the draft control about halfway in, and the exhaust pipe is pretty short. About a 2 foot run to exit the house, then a 90 degree upward bend, and another 2 foot run upwards, with a water cap.

 

[Mt Bob]

Everything sounds like a dirty stove.

 

[Jeremy6500]

Everything sounds like a dirty stove.

This would be the first place to look. The incomplete burn it an airflow problem 9 out of 10 times. make sure the stove is clean and that the exhaust path/venting is free of ash buildup.

 

[mikec2003]

I did do a deep cleaning a few days ago, hoping that would be the problem.

I have not cleaned the exhaust piping, as I don't have the brush for it. Do they get that dirty that they need to be cleaned out often?

I could take the water cap off the end of the exhaust and rig up the shop vac? think that would work?

Oh, it occasionally has an error where the red light goes to a fast blink and a slow blink, which indicates a vaccuum problem, but a reset and it usually goes away, not sure if that's related or not.

last year the stove ran quite well. lets hope it's just a dirty exhaust pipe.

 

[Washed-Up]

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[mikec2003]

That is just awesome, lol. I have a spare leaf blower too. Im definitely giving that a shot.

 

[Jeremy6500]

This is my leaf blower setup. Had an extra one in the garage. Used a PVC reducer so it slides inside my 3" exhaust pipe.

Makes cleaning the vent quick and easy.

 

[mikec2003]

I think i have the spare parts to do that. I at least have duct tape, and thats good enough, lol

 

[Jeremy6500]

I think i have the spare parts to do that. I at least have duct tape, and thats good enough, lol

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[mikec2003]

i ended up just taking the exhaust apart and vacuuming it out. It was almost totally plugged with ash. I had no idea it could get that bad.

I cleaned it out really good, lets hope for the best

 

[mikec2003]

The firepot seems to stay clean now, i think its all taken care of now.

Thanks everyone. Im gonna rig up the leaf blower to make this all easier for next time