See the ash build-up in my Big E

[hotstovecoolmusic]

Here's my ash build-up after 2 days (about 14 hours) of running.

Does it look bad? Is it the lousy Greenway pellets causing the build-up?

 

[Ductape]

I certainly see more ash than that burning my Penningtons..........................

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Here's my ash build-up after 2 days (about 14 hours) of running.

Does it look bad? Is it the lousy Greenway pellets causing the build-up?

How often are you scraping the burn pot? That is what the rake is for.
Where is your damper set?

Eric

 

[hotstovecoolmusic]

How often are you scraping the burn pot? That is what the rake is for.
Where is your damper set?

Eric

I vacuum and scrape the pot every other day.
I fiddle a lot with the damper. It's usually out 1/4" to 3/4". Trying to avoid the tall, lazy flame.

I usually run the stove on "3". If I run on 4, the pellets don't burn fast enough. They start piling up and the chamber gets smokey.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

How often are you scraping the burn pot? That is what the rake is for.
Where is your damper set?

Eric

I vacuum and scrape the pot every other day.
I fiddle a lot with the damper. It's usually out 1/4" to 3/4". Trying to avoid the tall, lazy flame.

I usually run the stove on "3". If I run on 4, the pellets don't burn fast enough. They start piling up and the chamber gets smokey.

You can vacuum once a week but need to scrape 2-3 times a day. You do not have to have the stove off to do this.

GIVE THE FIRE AIR. Pull the damper out more. If you want the stove to run right you have to do what it takes. open the damper more.

Eric

 

[hotstovecoolmusic]

I certainly see more ash than that burning my Penningtons..........................

Did you see the other Big E "ash" picture posted recently?

They have lots of ash to left and right, but the pot was empty. My ash is all in the pot and it's thick and heavy. Comes out in clumps when I vacuum.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I certainly see more ash than that burning my Penningtons..........................

Did you see the other Big E "ash" picture posted recently?

They have lots of ash to left and right, but the pot was empty. My ash is all in the pot and it's thick and heavy. Comes out in clumps when I vacuum.

The ash in the burn pot is from not enough air. Open the damper and scrape 2-3 times a day.

Eric

 

[hotstovecoolmusic]

Thanks Big "E" : )

I'll give it a whirl.

 

[treehackers]

I certainly see more ash than that burning my Penningtons..........................

Did you see the other Big E "ash" picture posted recently?

They have lots of ash to left and right, but the pot was empty. My ash is all in the pot and it's thick and heavy. Comes out in clumps when I vacuum.

The ash in the burn pot is from not enough air. Open the damper and scrape 2-3 times a day.

Eric

Yep - open the damper more

 

[foldsct]

I had clinkers with my Big E and tons of ash

Did exactly what Eric said.............don't have that problem anymore!!

He's so smart............except for that cat/chicken thing!!

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I had clinkers with my Big E and tons of ash

Did exactly what Eric said.............don't have that problem anymore!!

He's so smart............except for that cat/chicken thing!!

This is from another post.....just so you know.

TboneMan - 03 December 2008 12:36 PM
macman - 03 December 2008 11:20 AM
Offingmoot built this:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/27556/

Wow, that’s as about as “useful” as the contraption in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (the movie with Dick Van Dyke) that cooks breakfast. Come on folks. Its not like people in the US couldn’t use a bit more exercise.

That does it...... I am calling some whiner Government agency to file something or another against you for that true comment. I am 5’1” and 300 lbs. Hold on a minute I need to set this turkey leg down and type. Now where is that Diet Coke? Hey Honey, charge the chest zapper machine.

The round
Eric

 

[foldsct]

Somehow I KNEW you wouldn't leave that alone.

You're just that kind of guy. LOL

Elle

 

[travlnusa]

That is WAY more ash buildup that I have ever had in my Big E. I scrap the pot twice a day, do a quck clean out once per week, and a full nook and cranney cleanout once per month.

Wife wipes off, no scrubbing or washing, the glass each day with a tissue.

 

[StoveMiser]

I gave up on cleaning my glass more often than the weekly cleanout. Sometimes I think people are mildly anal with all the glass cleaning ideas and thoughts. The clean glass syndrome wore off after 2 tons or so...

As for the original question: definitely sounds like crap pellets or more air needed. It would take my stove a month with no maintenance to look that bad. Crank up the air.

 

[travlnusa]

I gave up on cleaning my glass more often than the weekly cleanout. Sometimes I think people are mildly anal with all the glass cleaning ideas and thoughts. The clean glass syndrome wore off after 2 tons or so...

As for the original question: definitely sounds like crap pellets or more air needed. It would take my stove a month with no maintenance to look that bad. Crank up the air.

If my wife is happy cleaning the glass, we are all happy.

 

[Lobstah]

"You can vacuum once a week but need to scrape 2-3 times a day."

I scrape my burn pot on my Lopi once every 2-3 days when I push the ash down into the big ash bin.
You open a hot stove 2-3 times a day for this?...can't imagine you shut the stove down that often?

Jim

 

[kinsmanstoves]

"You can vacuum once a week but need to scrape 2-3 times a day."

I scrape my burn pot on my Lopi once every 2-3 days when I push the ash down into the big ash bin.
You open a hot stove 2-3 times a day for this?...can't imagine you shut the stove down that often?

Jim

You do not need to shut the stove down to wipe the glass or scrape the burn pot. I run two Breckwells at the house and one at each store. It takes a few seconds and if you take to long (20 seconds) the safety cuts on and the board has to be reset. All that takes is to unplug the power cord and plug it back in. The stove does the rest.

This all sounds harder than it is.

Eric

 

[lvfd50]

I havn't been scraping my burn pot, just cleaning weekly on my Big E. I should probably start doing this. Could someone give some pictures of what they do. I know you can open the door while its running I just want to make sure I do things correct. The only "rake" I have is the Breckwell tool that has a flat solid section on one end and a hole in the handle on the other for pulling the heat exchanger tube cleaner out with. Just firgured if I scaped while it was still burning I would scrape the pellets out and stop the fire. I'm still new to the pellet thing, I'm just so used to the woodstove. Thanks for any help.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I havn't been scraping my burn pot, just cleaning weekly on my Big E. I should probably start doing this. Could someone give some pictures of what they do. I know you can open the door while its running I just want to make sure I do things correct. The only "rake" I have is the Breckwell tool that has a flat solid section on one end and a hole in the handle on the other for pulling the heat exchanger tube cleaner out with. Just firgured if I scaped while it was still burning I would scrape the pellets out and stop the fire. I'm still new to the pellet thing, I'm just so used to the woodstove. Thanks for any help.

Yes that tool. Take the the rake, open the door, insert rake into flames till it hits bottom, and stir clock-wise only. Remove the rake and tap the end twice (JUST TWICE) and pull out of the firebox. shut the door and go to the fridge. This is very important**** Open the fridge insert right hand and grab a beer. Drink beer but first pop the top. This ensures hydration. Remember this is hard work.

note: if you stir the burn pot in a counter clock-wise motion it will summon the spirit of Breckwell. This bad. Also the two taps blocks the ash demon from sneaking out through the open door.

Eric

 

[lvfd50]

Thanks,
Its a good thing you mentioned the beer was needed. I usually do just that after I clean the stove so I wanted to make sure that is was needed after scraping the burn pot. Kidding aside, I knew it was simple, just wanted to know for sure what to do.

 

[hotstovecoolmusic]

Okay ...

I opened the damper some more. Quite a difference!
The flame is smaller, brighter and flickers a lot more. The glass does not get nearly as dirty.
AND ... there's a lot less ash in the pot!

Thanks again to Eric.

ps. I'm still not thrilled with how loud this Big E is.
I think I'll post an audio of the fan kicking in.

 

[Ductape]

And remember................ if you tap it more than twice, YOU'RE PLAYING WITH IT ! ;-)