Harman P43 vs Castle Serenity

[Ahoragi]

Thought I'd share my take on these two stoves. We bought a Harman this year after using the Castle stove for the previous 6.

I miss the Castle stove.

Now it may seem a little odd that I prefer a $800 stove over a $4600 one but here is why: The Castle stove burned absolutely everything flawlessly with zero hiccups except one burnt out ignitor after four years. I could clean out the stove, pot, and fan within 20 minutes with just a vacuum and brush and be back to burning right away. The Harman takes multiple tools to clean out all the corners and requires removing different pieces to get behind and inside certain areas. By the time I am done my hands and arms and floors are covered in soot. It's a messy job. The Harman also would not burn one particular brand of pellets that the Castle had no issue with. The replacement brand seems to also give the Harman issues as the pellets are a bit long and keep blocking off the auger which shuts down the stove. This has happened multiple times and left the house cold while we were gone. The Castle's auger system did not get obstructed during all those years. We also noticed that we have 17 bags left and it's only mid February while with the Castle stove we would have a few bags remaining out of the same two ton pellet amount at the end of the season. Definitely going to need more pellets.

Now the P43 isn't a bad stove, it just doesn't perform like what we are used to. It is a better built stove, a bit quieter, and way better looking. Maybe I need a couple more years on it and my opinion may change. We will see. But overall I can say I prefer the Castle over the Harman just for what was stated above.

 

[Ricks]

Please provide the settings on your stove and the issues you see. This website has many users who know the Harmon stoves inside and out. I am sure others can get your stove working better than it is now

 

[scajjr2]

Have had our P43 since 2013. Never had any issues with any of the brands of pellets we've used over that time. Any that had longer pellets just caused a crunch sound as the auger snapped them.

Don't know how long between cleanings you could go with the Castle but I only have to clean the P43 every ton used, so every 4-5 weeks. Maybe I'm just used to it but I can do a full, complete cleaning in under an hour.

Pellet use has variables- outside temps, inside temp you desire, brand of pellets, stove settings. Run ours on Room Temp, igniter on Manual and is on a remote thermostat. Runs 24/7 from Nov-April. Last few years used about 3-1/2 tons, it's been colder this winter so expect to use around 4. Small 1800sq ft 2 story house, well insulated, stove vents into center chimney, sits off open staircase to upstairs bedrooms. Keeps house 70-72.

sam

 

[mtnbiker727]

I just cleaned my P-68, which is the big brother of the P-43 after not touching it for several weeks. I only use a vacuum and a brush, and it takes me 20 minutes, unless I clean the stove pipe, too.

I turn mine on Test mode when I'm cleaning, so all the soot goes out the pipe instead of onto my floor... I posted instructions on how to do a deep clean a couple years ago, I was just thinking I should update them and post them again.

What settings are you running it on, and what pieces are you taking apart to clean it?

 

[bogieb]

I have a P43 and a P61a. Turning it onto test mode to suck out any ash that gets disturbed keeps the mess going to the outside.

I'm unsure what you mean by there are too many parts to remove. For just a basic cleaning I remove the plate beneath the burn pot (to access the igniter area) to clean out ash under there. Then I remove the ash pan and empty it out. For a more complete cleaning, I remove the fines box door and clean that, and remove the plate in front of the exhaust fan to brush off the fan. Every once in a while I run a soot eater thru the exhaust (as I would for any stove). That is it and it doesn't take long at all.

Also, I don't know how many tools you used, but I use a brush to clean off the sides. and a screwdriver to clean off any hard deposits from the burn pot, then a vacuum to finish off the corners. I don't know why you would need any more tools than that.

The Harman's are a whole lot easier to clean than my St Croix Hastings was. And the Hastings HAD to be cleaned every week while my Harman's go 3-4 weeks (I burn less than stellar pellets most times). The Hastings was a good stove, just did not fit my needs very well, so replaced with a used P43).

I have not run into any pellets that either Harman didn't burn - from the cheapest all the way up. I am currently burning these. No, those pellets weren't wet, they are GS Midwest hardwoods so the bags have no holes in them and the whole pallet was like that:

I also break up hard lumps from bags that have been wet and burned those too. I've been burning since 2014, and I've only had one bridge in the hopper so that pellets wouldn't feed. IIRC, those were had super long pellets in them (i mean, like 3" and longer). Fortunately I only had a couple of bags of those to try.

But hey, if another stove works better for you and your circumstances then go for it.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I just got my first pellet stove this month, a P43. I have done one cleaning so far, and probably did more than I needed to do as I wanted to learn. It was messy and dirty work for sure and I spent a lot of time on my knees and it's hard to see what's going on. I didn't run the fans at the same time as I don't think I'd want fans blowing at the same time. One question I have is why do the instructions say to clean the distribution fan so often? I personally don't run it at all, I have mine on stove mode at the lowest setting and run 24/7. I would have thought it would have said clean the combustion fan each time. Of course if you run the distribution fan 24/7 then I think it should say clean both.

 

[johneh]

Oh how I wish running the fan 24/7 kept it clean just the opposite
dust, hair(cat, Dog) fibres dust bunnies bits of whatever is in the air cling to the fan blades
See this post about the fan cage

USSC 6041 burning hot​

 

[Whitenuckler]

Oh how I wish running the fan 24/7 kept it clean just the opposite
dust, hair(cat, Dog) fibres dust bunnies bits of whatever is in the air cling to the fan blades
See this post about the fan cage

USSC 6041 burning hot​

Oh I agree, if you run the distribution fan 24/7 then you are circulating dust and if you have pets with hair forget it. In my case I don't run it at all, so it will not need to be cleaned. I actually have one of those big fans that have a pole mount. On low it is actually pretty quiet and I can have it on all the time. Since the fan is raised up, it can blow warmer air all the way across my basement. Then hopefully some warm air is coming up the stairs. I am trying to burn the least amount of pellets I can, I think I am burning about 60 pounds a day.

 

[johneh]

I think I am burning about 60 pounds a day.

60 lbs a day 1.5 bags WOW. My stove is the main source of heat in my summer kitchen-turned-family room
We live in a cold climate the average temp this time of year is -18 and I burm 1 bag every 32 to 26 hours
40 lbs . That keeps that room and some of the lower part of my 175-year-old Farmhouse at 22

 

[Washed-Up]

It’s not possible to run your stove without the distribution fan…you’d mess up your stove if you didn’t, it’s automatic and you wouldn’t see much heat period…The distribution fan is the radial fan at the bottom right of your stove and really only needs the blades wiped off once maybe twice a year.

 

[Whitenuckler]

60 lbs a day 1.5 bags WOW. My stove is the main source of heat in my summer kitchen-turned-family room
We live in a cold climate the average temp this time of year is -18 and I burm 1 bag every 32 to 26 hours
40 lbs . That keeps that room and some of the lower part of my 175-year-old Farmhouse at 22

Well, I believe I might be burning 1 bag actually now. I was burning more before when I first got it as I was trying different modes.
I am burning a product made in Quebec or NB - Eastern Embers which is a premium softwood. According to the lower BTU output per hour of my stove, I think I'm doing good. I usually have a pretty short flame height. I just got my stove and had been getting the pellets a dozen bags at a time at Home Depot. They sold out! (they had many many pallets). Found some elsewhere, and just bought 70. I can tell you an older Jeep GC and carry 35bags at a time.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Well, I believe I might be burning 1 bag actually now. I was burning more before when I first got it as I was trying different modes.
I am burning a product made in Quebec or NB - Eastern Embers which is a premium softwood. According to the lower BTU output per hour of my stove, I think I'm doing good. I usually have a pretty short flame height. I just got my stove and had been getting the pellets a dozen bags at a time at Home Depot. They sold out! (they had many many pallets). Found some elsewhere, and just bought 70. I can tell you an older Jeep GC and carry 35bags at a time.

Just going through the math again P43 is 23,900 BTU/hr at minimum heat. 23,900 x 24 = 573,000 / 8600 = 1.67 Bags
What are the specs for your stove? (Just to confirm I have been running mine all the time, and believe it or not it's been very cold here in PEI this winter.) The temperature of the basement is around 22C near the stove.

 

[johneh]

I have had this stove so long that it is part of the house. I will look it
up but max output is 45thousand BTU and I have never had to run the
stove that hot even at -40 with a wind chill of -55 or better Enviro stoves
are noted for the amount of heat they make and being stingy with pellets

 

[Washed-Up]

What are the setting you are using? My P61A is at 4 and 4 or room temp and is more than enough for 1500sq ft. I do run it on stove temp time to time to clean any potential “bad” out. And I’ll only go through more than a bag a day when it’s below -20c

Just going through the math again P43 is 23,900 BTU/hr at minimum heat. 23,900 x 24 = 573,000 / 8600 = 1.67 Bags
What are the specs for your stove? (Just to confirm I have been running mine all the time, and believe it or not it's been very cold here in PEI this winter.) The temperature of the basement is around 22C near the stove.

 

[Whitenuckler]

I have had this stove so long that it is part of the house. I will look it
up but max output is 45thousand BTU and I have never had to run the
stove that hot even at -40 with a wind chill of -55 or better Enviro stoves
are noted for the amount of heat they make and being stingy with pellets

I have not really tested mine at full output, although I have had some large flames when I was transitioning to outside air.
The Harmon has a "stove mode" whereby you set the heat of the stove. That is the mode I am in so I ignore the outside or inside temperature. Of course the ambient temperature in my basement somewhat depends on the outside temp, which would change the BTU input. I was going to get the Enviro Mini. I liked that it was engineered in Victoria. Yours was probably made there? I am going to try and measure my pellets although I'm not going to weigh like the EPA test. I will fill it up at 9am and try to keep track. Then 9am the next day.

 

[bogieb]

I just got my first pellet stove this month, a P43. I have done one cleaning so far, and probably did more than I needed to do as I wanted to learn. It was messy and dirty work for sure and I spent a lot of time on my knees and it's hard to see what's going on. I didn't run the fans at the same time as I don't think I'd want fans blowing at the same time. One question I have is why do the instructions say to clean the distribution fan so often? I personally don't run it at all, I have mine on stove mode at the lowest setting and run 24/7. I would have thought it would have said clean the combustion fan each time. Of course if you run the distribution fan 24/7 then I think it should say clean both.

Once you get used to the cleaning, it will go faster. Before you start doing anything, turn it to "off", open one of the front doors, then turn the feeder dial to "test". That will turn on the exhaust fan, and the distribution fan will turn on sporadically (as if it is testing that fan). I usually time my cleanings to shortly after the stove has turned off, so when the distribution fan turns on it is blowing luke warm air instead of the colder air from the floor.

Note- once you have gotten the firebox cleaned, turn the feeder rate back to its regular setting then close the door. Once the fan(s) shut off, then you can clean the ash bin area. Set up a vacuum hose to just outside the door while cleaning that area and that will minimize any ash escaping while cleaning below.

Additionally, once you get into the groove, you won't have to "see" everything while you are cleaning. The only thing I really need to see is the burn pot to make sure that I get any hardened material off. I even clean out the fines box without looking, it is all by feel - although I do bend over and take a quick peek after I believe I've gotten the fines out. Although my P43 doesn't seem to accumulate fines like my P61a does.

I vacuum out the distibution fan every other cleaning. I have 3 cats who shed, and a bird whose cage is about 10' from the stove (birds produce a lot of dander even when they aren't molting). Ad to that, that I don't use the super expensive pellets, so they are probably dustier (and this latest pallet contains a huge amount of dust). I helped a friend clean his Harman out a couple of years ago and that fan was full of cat hair - I don't know how it worked at all (it didn't work well any more, which is why I went over and did a thorough cleaning).

 

[Whitenuckler]

Once you get used to the cleaning, it will go faster. Before you start doing anything, turn it to "off", open one of the front doors, then turn the feeder dial to "test". That will turn on the exhaust fan, and the distribution fan will turn on sporadically (as if it is testing that fan). I usually time my cleanings to shortly after the stove has turned off, so when the distribution fan turns on it is blowing luke warm air instead of the colder air from the floor.

Note- once you have gotten the firebox cleaned, turn the feeder rate back to its regular setting then close the door. Once the fan(s) shut off, then you can clean the ash bin area. Set up a vacuum hose to just outside the door while cleaning that area and that will minimize any ash escaping while cleaning below.

Additionally, once you get into the groove, you won't have to "see" everything while you are cleaning. The only thing I really need to see is the burn pot to make sure that I get any hardened material off. I even clean out the fines box without looking, it is all by feel - although I do bend over and take a quick peek after I believe I've gotten the fines out. Although my P43 doesn't seem to accumulate fines like my P61a does.

I vacuum out the distibution fan every other cleaning. I have 3 cats who shed, and a bird whose cage is about 10' from the stove (birds produce a lot of dander even when they aren't molting). Ad to that, that I don't use the super expensive pellets, so they are probably dustier (and this latest pallet contains a huge amount of dust). I helped a friend clean his Harman out a couple of years ago and that fan was full of cat hair - I don't know how it worked at all (it didn't work well any more, which is why I went over and did a thorough cleaning).

Thanks - I know at one time when I was trying to measure the air pressure I had it in "TEST" position and the fans ran as well as the feed motor. On mine if you leave it in test mode the fans will cycle from full to low speed and then cycle again. I really can't see myself in front of the stove cleaning with the room dist fan blowing although I guess if only the combustion fan was sucking that would be OK. Since I don't use my dist fan, I am cleaning my combustion fan area each time and of course it needs to be off anyway. I should invest in a good HEPA washable filter vac though. I am using a cheap wand vacuum I don't care about right now and it worked OK and I can clean it each time. It seemed to trap the dust OK. I'm not looking at the fines box anymore each time and that will save some time. I think I might take the probe out for fun and clean it.

 

[Ahoragi]

Please provide the settings on your stove and the issues you see. This website has many users who know the Harmon stoves inside and out. I am sure others can get your stove working better than it is now

I run it on feed setting 4, 75 degrees, Room Temp, and auto ignite. Since I posted the OP, the stove has shut down six times due to no pellets reaching the auger (long pellets). The Castle stove was run nonstop all winter with a window open.

Have had our P43 since 2013. Never had any issues with any of the brands of pellets we've used over that time. Any that had longer pellets just caused a crunch sound as the auger snapped them.

Don't know how long between cleanings you could go with the Castle but I only have to clean the P43 every ton used, so every 4-5 weeks. Maybe I'm just used to it but I can do a full, complete cleaning in under an hour.

Pellet use has variables- outside temps, inside temp you desire, brand of pellets, stove settings. Run ours on Room Temp, igniter on Manual and is on a remote thermostat. Runs 24/7 from Nov-April. Last few years used about 3-1/2 tons, it's been colder this winter so expect to use around 4. Small 1800sq ft 2 story house, well insulated, stove vents into center chimney, sits off open staircase to upstairs bedrooms. Keeps house 70-72.

sam

I would clean the Castle once every two weeks, and the exhaust fan once in the middle of the season. The ash pan would be 3/4 full. I have to clean the P43 every week due to the ash pan being 3/4 full and once I push the built-up ash into it (from the sides) then it becomes full. I remove the plate under the pot, the ash pan, and they exhaust fan cover. The exhaust fan always seem to have build up ash all over the inside and backside of the blades so it needs cleaned every week. This was with two different brands of pellets. The first brand (there is a post about it) was created creosote and I had to return those pellets and got replacement pellets which burn to ash but are long and plug up the auger entrance causing it shut down multiple times. I woke up this morning and the house was freezing due to it shutting off some time during the night.

 

[bogieb]

I run it on feed setting 4, 75 degrees, Room Temp, and auto ignite. Since I posted the OP, the stove has shut down six times due to no pellets reaching the auger (long pellets). The Castle stove was run nonstop all winter with a window open.

I would clean the Castle once every two weeks, and the exhaust fan once in the middle of the season. The ash pan would be 3/4 full. I have to clean the P43 every week due to the ash pan being 3/4 full and once I push the built-up ash into it (from the sides) then it becomes full. I remove the plate under the pot, the ash pan, and they exhaust fan cover. The exhaust fan always seem to have build up ash all over the inside and backside of the blades so it needs cleaned every week. This was with two different brands of pellets. The first brand (there is a post about it) was created creosote and I had to return those pellets and got replacement pellets which burn to ash but are long and plug up the auger entrance causing it shut down multiple times. I woke up this morning and the house was freezing due to it shutting off some time during the night.

Well, that doesn't sound right. I run middling pellets, and I empty the ash pan every 3 weeks. If I have to go longer (I won't empty the ash bin in high winds or while it is precipitating outside), I just stir the ashes in the pan and the light, fluffy ash will settle and create room. I'm almost wondering if the installer didn't do a low volt draft test and adjust for your specific set up (although seriously, I have no idea what happens if it is not set correctly)

When I am cleaning and have it set to "test" for the fans to run, the distribution fan only goes on every once in a while, runs for about 20 seconds, then shuts off. It is no issue with me in front of the stove (althoguh that is why I try to clean shortly after the stove has shut off - then it is blowing luke warm air, not cold air).

I brush off the fan every second cleaning (so every 6-8 weeks). You might try spraying with dry moly to help keep it cleaner.

I'm unsure why you run the stove in a mode, and with settings, that don't allow the distribution fan to run. Most of your heat is going outside and you are only getting radiant heat from the stove being warm itself. If you just want to watch a flame for ambience, that is one thing, but running a stove 24/7, that seems to defeat the purpose. IDK, maybe that is just me.

 

[Ahoragi]

Well, that doesn't sound right. I run middling pellets, and I empty the ash pan every 3 weeks. If I have to go longer (I won't empty the ash bin in high winds or while it is precipitating outside), I just stir the ashes in the pan and the light, fluffy ash will settle and create room. I'm almost wondering if the installer didn't do a low volt draft test and adjust for your specific set up (although seriously, I have no idea what happens if it is not set correctly)

When I am cleaning and have it set to "test" for the fans to run, the distribution fan only goes on every once in a while, runs for about 20 seconds, then shuts off. It is no issue with me in front of the stove (althoguh that is why I try to clean shortly after the stove has shut off - then it is blowing luke warm air, not cold air).

I brush off the fan every second cleaning (so every 6-8 weeks). You might try spraying with dry moly to help keep it cleaner.

I'm unsure why you run the stove in a mode, and with settings, that don't allow the distribution fan to run. Most of your heat is going outside and you are only getting radiant heat from the stove being warm itself. If you just want to watch a flame for ambience, that is one thing, but running a stove 24/7, that seems to defeat the purpose. IDK, maybe that is just me.

The first batch of pellets were Green Supreme from Tractor supply which we burned last year in the Castle stove. They caused the glass to stain up (needed water, ash, and alot of scrubbing) and hard black substance to stain the stove interior, especially down by the ash pot. We assumed this was creosote. Sent out an email to Buck's Stove and Fireplace, which is a very reputable company here, and they were suspicious of the pellets so we took back the remaining 1.5 tons to Tractor Supply and swapped them out to their current brand which does not have a brand name but says Premium Hardwood Pellets by American Wood Fibers. These pellets burned hotter and there was no more creosote, just ash...but A LOT of it. Requires weekly emptying of the pot and deep cleaning of the box and exhaust. Heck even the ignitor space has a bit of ash buildup in it by the 7th day. But the nonstop clogging at the auger has been frustrating. Just these past two days the stove shut off twice, at night and while we were at work, and house dropped to 60 degrees. I ran the stove out of pellets this morning and saw that the auger mouth is pretty small and can see how these longer pellets could create a bridge over that little opening and plug it up. The Castle stove had a much larger auger mouth which prevented this I assume.

Don't get me wrong though, the stove heats the entire floor it's on.......when it's on....and blows hot. It's just all this extra cleaning and pellet clogging issues have us scratching our head and asking why we spent that much on it.

 

[Ricks]

I would try a higher quality pellet. Skip Tractor Supply, Home Depot, or Lowe’s find a place that deals exclusively with pellets.

 

[Whitenuckler]

The first batch of pellets were Green Supreme from Tractor supply which we burned last year in the Castle stove. They caused the glass to stain up (needed water, ash, and alot of scrubbing) and hard black substance to stain the stove interior, especially down by the ash pot. We assumed this was creosote. Sent out an email to Buck's Stove and Fireplace, which is a very reputable company here, and they were suspicious of the pellets so we took back the remaining 1.5 tons to Tractor Supply and swapped them out to their current brand which does not have a brand name but says Premium Hardwood Pellets by American Wood Fibers. These pellets burned hotter and there was no more creosote, just ash...but A LOT of it. Requires weekly emptying of the pot and deep cleaning of the box and exhaust. Heck even the ignitor space has a bit of ash buildup in it by the 7th day. But the nonstop clogging at the auger has been frustrating. Just these past two days the stove shut off twice, at night and while we were at work, and house dropped to 60 degrees. I ran the stove out of pellets this morning and saw that the auger mouth is pretty small and can see how these longer pellets could create a bridge over that little opening and plug it up. The Castle stove had a much larger auger mouth which prevented this I assume.

Don't get me wrong though, the stove heats the entire floor it's on.......when it's on....and blows hot. It's just all this extra cleaning and pellet clogging issues have us scratching our head and asking why we spent that much on it.

For reference on what a "Premium Pellet" specs are. These are called by Eastern Embers. We have lots of S/P/F up here so I don't know if you have any options but H/W? These burn really good. Anyway, compare specs ie ash content

Quoted/copied:
Premium Wood Pellet Fuel Burns Hot Burns Clean! See and feel the difference of a truly premium grade wood pellet! Eastern Embers consistency and high quality are made possible by the extraordinary wood fibre derived from our local species of spruce. The high sap content of the spruce fibre translates into high BTU value and more heat per pellet. Furthermore, the fibre is inherently clean, resulting in low levels of residual ash. Eastern Embers meets or exceeds the premium grade standards of the Pellet Fuels Institute.

1. The least expensive pellet may not be your best choice. There can be significant differences between brands of pellets. You need to consider quality (ash, moisture, length, fines, BTU, durability, etc.) when comparing or choosing a pellet fuel. Poor quality pellets that do not perform as expected, or create issues with appliance performance, do not represent good value for money spent.
2. The least expensive pellet may not be your best choice. There can be significant differences between brands of pellets. You need to consider quality (ash, moisture, length, fines, BTU, durability, etc.) when comparing or choosing a pellet fuel. Poor quality pellets that do not perform as expected, or create issues with appliance performance, do not represent good value for money spent.
3. Softwood pellets generally have a higher BTU value than hardwood pellets Softwood pellets generally have a lower percentage of ash (by weight) than hardwood pellets. Softwood pellets generate less harmful airborne particulate emissions than hardwood pellets when burned in appliances.
4. secure supply. A locally made product. Quality you can count on Guaranteed!
5. The standard size bag for North American pellets is 18.1 Kg (40 pounds). Smaller bag sizing can be misleading. To calculate the true cost of a pellet fuel, you need to calculate the cost per pound or Kg.
6. Guaranteed Analysis Grade Premium Material 100% wood Ash less than 0.6% Fines less than 0.5% Sodium less than 300 ppm Eastern Embers is 100% wood and uses no glues or binders.

Cheers​

 

[bogieb]

The first batch of pellets were Green Supreme from Tractor supply which we burned last year in the Castle stove. They caused the glass to stain up (needed water, ash, and alot of scrubbing) and hard black substance to stain the stove interior, especially down by the ash pot. We assumed this was creosote. Sent out an email to Buck's Stove and Fireplace, which is a very reputable company here, and they were suspicious of the pellets so we took back the remaining 1.5 tons to Tractor Supply and swapped them out to their current brand which does not have a brand name but says Premium Hardwood Pellets by American Wood Fibers. These pellets burned hotter and there was no more creosote, just ash...but A LOT of it. Requires weekly emptying of the pot and deep cleaning of the box and exhaust. Heck even the ignitor space has a bit of ash buildup in it by the 7th day. But the nonstop clogging at the auger has been frustrating. Just these past two days the stove shut off twice, at night and while we were at work, and house dropped to 60 degrees. I ran the stove out of pellets this morning and saw that the auger mouth is pretty small and can see how these longer pellets could create a bridge over that little opening and plug it up. The Castle stove had a much larger auger mouth which prevented this I assume.

Don't get me wrong though, the stove heats the entire floor it's on.......when it's on....and blows hot. It's just all this extra cleaning and pellet clogging issues have us scratching our head and asking why we spent that much on it.

I do have to clean out under the burn pot of my P43 about once a week. My P61a only needs that area cleaned during the regular cleaning. The burn pots are differently shaped, and that may the difference. Doesn't bother me to take 15 seconds to clean out under there.

On the flip side between the two stoves, the fines box on the P43 does not fill up with fines, but the P61a fines box does. However, it does not seem to interfere with how well the stove runs, so I leave it until the regular cleaning.

I last cleaned both stoves on 1/30/25 and I cleaned them again yesterday (3 weeks). The GS HW pellets I am currently burning produce a lot of ash (compared to the GS or MWP blends that I normally run), so both ash pans were full - even after stirring the ashes last weekend to settle them. To be fair, the stoves have run a lot more the last two weeks; the P43 has been placed in constant burn for at least 10 hours each day (or more) as the lows were in the negative and low single digits (*F) and it has been super windy. Also, my underhouse garage got down to 32* last week so I opened the door between the basement and garage to warm it up. FHW pipes running thru it so I had to make sure they don't freeze. So, the P61a was running non-stop for several hours each of 5 days also.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Is this fines box area behind the cover the place that the pellets fall into? I took the cover off for the first time awhile ago to check it out. When I was vacuuming it seemed I was sucking pellets out. Does the auger extend into that area? It's really hard for me to see up in there without a mirror or camera

 

[Whitenuckler]

Oh how I wish running the fan 24/7 kept it clean just the opposite
dust, hair(cat, Dog) fibres dust bunnies bits of whatever is in the air cling to the fan blades
See this post about the fan cage

USSC 6041 burning hot​

Oh I should have proof read what I said. I meant if you run the distribution fan 24/7 you would need to clean. I finished some testing and now have it running on low speed to gain some efficiency. I don't really need it at the lowest stove mode temp in my basement, but I am interested in seeing how much more pellets I will use. I used about 1 bag in 24 hours without it.