To build or not/pellet sifter Q?

[bostonfan49]

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Comes up many times each year. Make a pellet vac for under $20.00

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/i-made-my-own-pellet-vac-for-less-than-20-00-video.21107/

Bill

Click to expand...
*****I want to build the above sifter as I use softwood pellets and I do have visible dust/fines in my hopper....BUT stove/auger run fine. I understand the benefit of the sifter...to keep the auger from jamming/caking up..... But if I don't have any auger problem is there any other reason, benefit to reduce the fines that drop in from the auger? Don't they just combust? ( is that a word?) I think I have a fair amount of ash build-up on the lower sides, L & R of the agitator but I don't know how much is normal or excessive? ***as for my dust problem, I think it is all coming from my shop vac and it's tell I got a real ash vac! Bottom line, I don't want to build and sift unless there is areal benefit other than preventing auger jams! Thanks, Bill

 

[tjnamtiw]

I think the main consensus is reducing fines (dust) in the house keeps the BOSS happy; therefore, build accordingly. That's the main reason I built this. After two seasons, the area under the screen is full of fines. I've been procrastinating as to when to remove them. I read that mixing them with wax makes a great fire starter for campfires.

 

[bostonfan49]

I think the main consensus is reducing fines (dust) in the house keeps the BOSS happy; therefore, build accordingly. That's the main reason I built this. After two seasons, the area under the screen is full of fines. I've been procrastinating as to when to remove them. I read that mixing them with wax makes a great fire starter for campfires.

View attachment 119212

 

[bostonfan49]

So I understand about fines possibly spreading when you fill the hopper, but once the stove is filled pellets and fines, do the fines that drop in the fire pot and wherever affect how the stoves runs? ? ?We don't have a "fines/pellet dust" problem, we have a black dust problem that I now know I am causing with my shop vac exhaust...soon to be replaced with a good ash vac.....

 

[tjnamtiw]

once the fines are in the hopper and can get conveyed to the burn pot, you won't see any dust from them. What CAN happen (happened to me) is that you might have a small leak in the exhaust ducting within the stove, which deposits dust right near the room convection blower. I found that after the first year of burning and during the spring cleaning.

 

[bostonfan49]

once the fines are in the hopper and can get conveyed to the burn pot, you won't see any dust from them. What CAN happen (happened to me) is that you might have a small leak in the exhaust ducting within the stove, which deposits dust right near the room convection blower. I found that after the first year of burning and during the spring cleaning.

********Thanks, off to Home Depot to get my parts! Thanks, Bill

 

[SXIPro]

Just use a sheetrock dust type bag in your shop vac. No more black soot and no $$ spent on a crappy ash vac.

 

[Edward Hughes]

Just use a sheetrock dust type bag in your shop vac. No more black soot and no $$ spent on a crappy ash vac.

Those shop vacs have so many uses, and can be easily changed to fit them all.

 

[Weezer]

Hey tjnamtiw
What a great idea... Plop a bag on the platform, slice it open and let it run down to the bucket. No noise and effective, think maybe I'll build one over the Christmas vacation. A little taller and just as wide as a 40# bag would be nice.

 

[Pellet-King]

Never ever in 15+ years of burning had to sift or remove fines, find better pellets!, simple solution, grab a bag, lift it facing up a few times and drop it to the ground all fines will be on bottom, then slowly pour pellets in your bucket, i use a coal tender, once you get near the end you can dump the fines out, actually i like the lightning flashes fines make as i'm burning!
Some of you people here are NUTS!

 

[Weezer]

We'll I'm sitting on two tons of AWF softies which have a lot of fines in them despite the Pfi rating of <0.5%. I'll certainly try your method but what the hell, an excuse to spend a day in the wood shop is not the worse thing to do. As far as being nuts... I have been in the technical end of the automotive business for 40 years.. I'm certifiable

 

[tjnamtiw]

Hey tjnamtiw
What a great idea... Plop a bag on the platform, slice it open and let it run down to the bucket. No noise and effective, think maybe I'll build one over the Christmas vacation. A little taller and just as wide as a 40# bag would be nice.

Yea, if I had it to do over, I'd make that top shelf wider, too. And I'd make the sides a little higher since it can overflow a little down at the bottom if I don't push it into the bucket. 3 buckets = one bag. AND the wife can carry them!!

 

[tjnamtiw]

Never ever in 15+ years of burning had to sift or remove fines, find better pellets!, simple solution, grab a bag, lift it facing up a few times and drop it to the ground all fines will be on bottom, then slowly pour pellets in your bucket, i use a coal tender, once you get near the end you can dump the fines out, actually i like the lightning flashes fines make as i'm burning!
Some of you people here are NUTS!

That sounds like more of a PITA than just cutting the bottom corner and let gravity do all the work! At least to this NUT! Just ask my wife! Why do all my shirts have 6 foot sleeves and tie around the back?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

That sounds like more of a PITA than just cutting the bottom corner and let gravity do all the work! At least to this NUT! Just ask my wife! Why do all my shirts have 6 foot sleeves and tie around the back?

You live at the loony bin a couple of doors down from me. Can't you remember?

 

[DirtyDave]

no problems from fines for me. I paid for em so burn em.

x2 on the sparkles

 

[tjnamtiw]

no problems from fines for me. I paid for em so burn em.

x2 on the sparkles

hahaha Love it! My sparkles come in my eyes when my wife hits me upside the head for getting pellet dust all over the floor if I don't sift them!

 

[DirtyDave]

I did a test. tossed bag a few times like it was being hand loaded unloaded dropped and all and then I have 4 times more fines in a bag. even had one break open, what a mess on garage floor.

 

[bill3rail]

********Thanks, off to Home Depot to get my parts! Thanks, Bill

You are welcome, but I can not take credit for it, I copied it from hearth.com.
Bottom line, it will keep the house clean and the wife happy!

Bill

 

[SXIPro]

I have no problem with fines, but am not a fan of pellet dust. I store my pellets in the cellar. All I do to keep the dust down is that when I am pouring the pellets from the bag into the coal hod that I use, I turn on the shop vac, lean the nozzle so it aims into the opening of the hod and pour the pellets in and all the dust gets sucked into the vac so it doesn't come upstairs with me. Takes an extra 5 seconds, and keeps my marriage intact.