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About
Your Stove
The fuel is stored in a bin at the rear of the pellet stove and is usually
referred to as the "hopper". At the bottom of this bin is an
opening that allows the fuel to enter into the fuel feed system.
The fuel
feed system moves the pellets from the storage hopper to the combustion
chamber. The most common style of fuel feed is a screw auger driven by a
slow moving high torque motor. Although these feed systems are extremely
reliable, an occasional jam is possible. If you should experience a jam
please refer to your owner’s manual or contact your dealer for
instructions. Shorter pellets allow for more fuel to fit into the auger
opening offering a consistent feed which is very desirable for operation
on low burns as well as reducing stress and wear on the fuel feed
components. If you use a pellet which is shorter than what was
previously used, an increase in the air rate may be required to compensate
for the additional fuel that will be dispensed by the auger. Very long
pellets have a tendency to bind together to form a log jam or bridge over
the feed opening interrupting the fuel feed. It is very important to keep
the fuel feed opening free of fines as they can obstruct movement of the
fuel into the feed system. It is recommended that you vacuum or allow the
hopper to run completely empty once every ton or fuel.
The fuel
has now successfully been transported from the hopper to the combustion
chamber. This area is sometimes referred to as the "firebox"
where the burning of the fuel actually takes place. Contained in the
combustion chamber is the burn pot and the heat exchanger.
The
Burn Pot
The burn pot accepts delivery of the incoming fuel and mixes it
with forced air to produce a hot, clean burning fire. There are obviously
several different styles of burn pots and different ways of adding air to
the burn pot for proper operation of your stove. This area must be kept
clean for the best mix of air and fuel
Air
To Fuel Ratio
The burn pot acts as the carburetor for the stove, mixing the air
and the fuel. Just like a car, the adjustment of the air and fuel rates on
a pellet stove is crucial to optimum performance. Under normal operation
the flame in your stove should appear to be bright yellow or white. You
may experience a white or gray build up of ash on the glass on high burn
and a darker fluffy ash on low burn. If you notice a lazy orange sooty
flame or build up of a brown sticky caramel like substance, these are
signs of an improper inefficient burn. Some stoves are equipped with
air dampers or adjustable feed openings that you may personally be able to
adjust. Other stoves will require adjustment to the control board which
may require a qualified technician.
Clinkers
You may also experience in the firebox what is referred to as
"clinkers". A clinker is a hard ash formation that is
occasionally created when the ash that is present in the burn pot actually
begins to melt. Many of today's highly efficient pellet stoves operate
near the combustion temperatures that are required to melt ash. Once the
ash begins to melt it may obstruct the air holes of the incoming air and
affect the proper mix of air and fuel. Incorrect adjustment of the air
to fuel ratio can greatly increase the likelihoods of clinker formation. This
is due to the stoves inability to adequately burn the excess fuel
and remove the excess ash that is building up in the burn pot.
Clinkers are very easily removed by use of the ash tool or rake that is
supplied with your pellet stove. This can quite often be performed while
the stove is in operation. Care must be taken not to remove all of the hot
coals or the stove will go out and, as always, you should be careful of
the hot surfaces of the stove.
The
Heat Exchanger
Also located in the combustion chamber is the heat exchanger which
is designed to transfer the heat being produced by the burning fuel in the
burn pot into clean hot air for distribution into the home. This is
usually done by a chamber or a series of tubes located in the firebox that
the hot air and gases pass over, heating the outside of the chamber before
exiting the stove. Fresh air is passed through the inside of the chamber
drawing the heat out of the stove and into the room. For maximum
efficiency the surface of the heat exchanger should be cleaned regularly.
The frequency of these cleanings will depend on your stove design and may
range from daily to monthly. Please refer to your owner's manual for
cleaning instructions.
Exhaust
Venting
At this point your pellet burning appliance has performed the function
that it was designed for and all that is left are the by-products of
combustion, which are exhaust gases and ash. The two main styles of
exhaust venting are natural draft and power. Both remove the harmful gases
from inside your stove to safely outside the home. Natural draft venting
uses the hot air and gases inside the stove to naturally rise and exit out
through the vent pipe in much the same manner as a traditional woodstove.
Power venting uses a mechanical fan to either push or pull the gases out
of your stove. This style of venting is very similar in operation to the
venting used on clothes dryers. Always be sure to strictly adhere to the
manufacturer's exhaust installation guidelines. Incorrect installation of
the exhaust system will result in operational and performance problems.
Vent
Maintenance
Also carried out through the vent pipe are small amounts of very
fine ash. This ash can eventually build up and block the vent if not
properly cared for. Many stoves have ash bins or traps to capture the ash
in the firebox or vent outlet prior to reaching the vent that require
occasional cleaning. In the event that your vent pipe should become
blocked a small amount of smoke may leak into your home. Most pellet
burning appliances are equipped with a safety switch that will interrupt
its operation and minimize any possible exposure. A regular inspection and
cleaning schedule should be maintained to ensure proper operation. While
inspecting the vent system, particular attention should be paid to the
assembly joints for possible leaks. Leaky joints may cause poor
performance as well as result in exhaust gases and ash leaking into the
home. Many stove manufacturers recommend the use of high temperature
silicon sealant on the exhaust vent joints to prevent leaks.
Additionally,
it is suggested that you only use a vacuum that is specifically designed
for cleaning wood and pellet stoves. A standard household vacuum cleaner
does not have the proper filter that is needed to trap the very fine ash
produced by a pellet stove and will force that fine ash into your home
creating a thin film of dust on your furniture. It is always recommended
that a non-combustible pail with lid be used to remove ashes from your
home and that ashes always be disposed of safely.
Solutions
to Common Problems
if you should experience a dirty or sooty burn in the combustion
chamber some possible corrective measures are:
- Review
proper adjustment of any air dampers if your stove is so equipped.
- Remove
any excess ash, carbon or clinkers from the burn pot.
- Clean
any air filters or air inlets to the appliance.
- Remove
(if possible) the burn pot and clean the air openings in the burn
grate.
- Inspect
the burn pot and burn grate for proper fit and possible air leaks. Note:
Many stoves are equipped with gaskets in this area that should also be
inspected.
- Inspect
door and window seals for leaks.
- Clean
firebox and vent ash traps.
- If
possible, re-adjust your air and fuel feed rates for a leaner burn. This
is an adjustment that may need to be performed by an authorized stove
technician.
The first
thing you should do when you encounter a problem with your pellet burning
appliance is to review the instructional video and/or manuals supplied
with your stove. If you can not resolve the problem, then contact your
retailer for additional instructions.
Maintenance
Checklist
to ensure optimum performance from your pellet stove perform the following
maintenance procedures regularly. (Your stove may or may not be equipped
with the items listed below.)
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·
Adhere
to the cleaning and maintenance schedule as outlined in your owner's
manual.
-
·
Store
your fuel in a clean dry place.
-
·
Occasionally
clean your hopper of pellets and fines.
-
·
Regularly
clean and inspect your vent system.
-
·
Clean
and lubricate fans as suggested.
-
·
Never
use your household vacuum to clean the firebox of your stove.
-
·
Inspect
and clean the firebox and vent system ash traps as suggested.
-
·
Keep
air filters clean.
-
·
Clean
your heat exchanger as recommended.
-
·
Inspect
and clean the burn pot if necessary.
-
·
Inspect
and adjust door seals.
If
you have any questions concerning your Pellet Stove that we have not
covered, please refer to your owners manual or dealer of your stove.
Allegheny
Pellet Corp *
PO Box
183
*
Youngsville
,
PA
16371
* (814) 563-4358 * pellet@woodpelletfuels.com
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