what should my pellets look like when ran on high?

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huntingbuck101

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Apr 8, 2008
35
Northern MN
I would like to know what other stove's burn bot looks like when run on higher settings. Mine on 1-3 will burn low in the pot and nice and orange, pellets light right away and no black pellets, but on 4 or 5 the pot fills up level with the stirrer, with a mix of around 50% orange pellets 30% black pellets and 20% brown unburnt. I think it needs more air but I run with the dampener all the way out.
 
They should all be glowing red. Are your pellets wet? What kind of stove do you have?
 
huntingbuck101 said:
I would like to know what other stove's burn bot looks like when run on higher settings. Mine on 1-3 will burn low in the pot and nice and orange, pellets light right away and no black pellets, but on 4 or 5 the pot fills up level with the stirrer, with a mix of around 50% orange pellets 30% black pellets and 20% brown unburnt. I think it needs more air but I run with the dampener all the way out.

Well, besides not knowing what stove you have, I'd have to ask....when did you last COMPLETELY cleaned your stove & vent pipe?
 
It's a Magnum Countryside insert Has been cleaned every 2 to 3 days of running and I take the pot out and scrape it every time and vacuum the unit out did a full exhaust pipe cleaning at 2 tons I now have 2 1/2 tons threw it. The dealer has been out twice for a total of 9 hours since Saturday and he agrees the stove is clean I also have had a problem with the bushing on the stir rod that is part of the reason he has been out for so many hours. We have checked ever thing.

The pellets are dry. I have ran 2 other brands threw it that other peole have had good luck with, one guy even has the same stove.
 
Hunt for anything that might cause air to enter the stove anyplace besides the fire pot. In short your fire needs air flow in the proper places and something is in the way.

There are so many candidates it will keep you busy.

Door gasket, sloppy door latch, ash pan door gasket, incorrect burn pot seating, damper not set correctly, partially blocked input air flow, partially blocked exhaust, bad control board, weak or failing exhaust motor, and so forth.
 
The stove burns all bright orange on the highest setting if I leave the ash pan open 1/4". would you say, the way I'm describing my burn in my first post as not burning right? The dealer is trading my unit for his demo because of the bushing problem and I'm going to see his burn before i bring it home and I hope to see a better burn out of his, but if not I don't want him telling me "thats just how they burn" crap.
 
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