Hi,
I had a GCI60 pellet insert installed this year, as some of you may know from a prior post. Based on a ton of reading on the hearth.com forums and other internet resources, I'm really questioning whether i'm getting the most out of my stove. I though i'd post a comprehensive list of questions and observations and hopefully another owner of this model might be able to help me sort things out. I think i've read so much that i'm confused.
Background info: I'm using green supreme pellets and i've heard they are not very good. The house is about 3000 sq feet with great air flow upstairs for half the house. I live in MA. I clean the stove about every 5 days. I've pulled the back plates off only once though, after we burned two tons. I have not pulled the stove out of the firebox. Initially I had the installer measure the pressure in the box, but he ran it on high for about 5-10 mins before they did it. I wonder since they didnt let it run for an hour (per manual) if this adjustment was then slightly off.
1. Air Flow adjustment rod - how do I get the left panel off to reach it? Right now i'm using a long metal rod from the front but it's really hard to control. Also, pulling the rod out lets more air into the stove, correct?
2. Air flow - my flames don't look like this at all.
Also, i'm now on my 102nd bag and we have more arctic air coming our way. Seems like a lot compared to other people. I've messed with the air flow adjustment and the flame just doesn't change much whether all the way in or all the way out. I have it out about 3/4" now which produces a bright flame but not very high.
3. Agitator - I currently have it on standard pellets (green light) so the agitator turns more. I've read that this might be pushing pellets out of the burn pot quicker. I do get some unburnt pellets in the ash pan but read this might be normal from bouncing. If I put it back on premium then the pellets might be blocking the air holes, from what i've read.
4. feed trim seeting - i've tried moving this up and down and don't really see much of a difference, so I now have it on default setting of 3. Is it possible I need more pellets (4 or 5) in order to get a larger flame? I'm assuming higher is more, the manual doesn't specify.
5. Combustion Fan trim - I've tried adjusting this too and don't see much of a change in things. Is higher more air into the burn area? I still have it on default 3 setting.
6. Soot on glass - I get black soot on the top right portion after several days. This has improved a lot since I pulled the air flow rod out a little. From what i've read this is normal. When I clean the stove there tends to be a black coating on the inside as well (and white in some places).
7. Ash - I tend to get a lot of ash. At one point it built up on the sides and into the burn pot so that my pellets backed up into the chute. I've since tried not to use heat setting 5 for long, and to clean it more often. I have to dump my ash pan every 4 or 5 days it seems. The ash appears brown and black. Normal?
Aside from "buy better pellets next time " and "keep tinkering" (both which i will be doing), any other advice to achieve the most efficient burn?
Sorry for the long email, but I greatly appreciate all input, as usual. I hope to be a contributor next year for newbies like me.
I had a GCI60 pellet insert installed this year, as some of you may know from a prior post. Based on a ton of reading on the hearth.com forums and other internet resources, I'm really questioning whether i'm getting the most out of my stove. I though i'd post a comprehensive list of questions and observations and hopefully another owner of this model might be able to help me sort things out. I think i've read so much that i'm confused.
Background info: I'm using green supreme pellets and i've heard they are not very good. The house is about 3000 sq feet with great air flow upstairs for half the house. I live in MA. I clean the stove about every 5 days. I've pulled the back plates off only once though, after we burned two tons. I have not pulled the stove out of the firebox. Initially I had the installer measure the pressure in the box, but he ran it on high for about 5-10 mins before they did it. I wonder since they didnt let it run for an hour (per manual) if this adjustment was then slightly off.
1. Air Flow adjustment rod - how do I get the left panel off to reach it? Right now i'm using a long metal rod from the front but it's really hard to control. Also, pulling the rod out lets more air into the stove, correct?
2. Air flow - my flames don't look like this at all.
Also, i'm now on my 102nd bag and we have more arctic air coming our way. Seems like a lot compared to other people. I've messed with the air flow adjustment and the flame just doesn't change much whether all the way in or all the way out. I have it out about 3/4" now which produces a bright flame but not very high.
3. Agitator - I currently have it on standard pellets (green light) so the agitator turns more. I've read that this might be pushing pellets out of the burn pot quicker. I do get some unburnt pellets in the ash pan but read this might be normal from bouncing. If I put it back on premium then the pellets might be blocking the air holes, from what i've read.
4. feed trim seeting - i've tried moving this up and down and don't really see much of a difference, so I now have it on default setting of 3. Is it possible I need more pellets (4 or 5) in order to get a larger flame? I'm assuming higher is more, the manual doesn't specify.
5. Combustion Fan trim - I've tried adjusting this too and don't see much of a change in things. Is higher more air into the burn area? I still have it on default 3 setting.
6. Soot on glass - I get black soot on the top right portion after several days. This has improved a lot since I pulled the air flow rod out a little. From what i've read this is normal. When I clean the stove there tends to be a black coating on the inside as well (and white in some places).
7. Ash - I tend to get a lot of ash. At one point it built up on the sides and into the burn pot so that my pellets backed up into the chute. I've since tried not to use heat setting 5 for long, and to clean it more often. I have to dump my ash pan every 4 or 5 days it seems. The ash appears brown and black. Normal?
Aside from "buy better pellets next time " and "keep tinkering" (both which i will be doing), any other advice to achieve the most efficient burn?
Sorry for the long email, but I greatly appreciate all input, as usual. I hope to be a contributor next year for newbies like me.