Hudson River West Point Ash Traps! How often do they need cleaning?

[Don2222]

Hello

Well, this stove is 4 years old and used at least 3 seasons. They ash traps really do not seem like they have ever been removed. So I took them off and cleaned. Then made new Hi Temp Silicon Rubber Thick 1/8" gaskets for easy re-use. Surprisingly the inside was not completely plugged up even though the outside right trap looked jammed! See pics.

So how often do you clean? Do you have gaskets? These did not come with any! see pics below.

I used this material $14.71 and rated at 525 Deg F
These 12x12x1/8" Silicon ORANGE rubber sheets are a little softer than the red rubber with Durometer = 70A on the hardness scale.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005JFRB7Q/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

Not sure if it is because I leaf blow first buy my traps are spotless??

 

[Don2222]

The leaf blower must really work!

Any pics?

 

[DexterDay]

The leaf blower must really work!

Any pics?

Now that you have a system that allows for a leafblower.... You need to get one. Its the BEST Tool in my arsenal of stove tools. Period..... That and my Air compressor w/ air nozzle and 18" of flex 1/4" air tube to get into any/every nook and cranny of any stove I have.

Run the Leafblower, while you shoot blasts of air throughout the stove! Best tools ever!....!

 

[Don2222]

Now that you have a system that allows for a leafblower.... You need to get one. Its the BEST Tool in my arsenal of stove tools. Period..... That and my Air compressor w/ air nozzle and 18" of flex 1/4" air tube to get into any/every nook and cranny of any stove I have.

Run the Leafblower, while you shoot blasts of air throughout the stove! Best tools ever!....!

X2, I agree.
I have a compressor but the leaf blower would work great in tandem just as you say! Thanks Dexter

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Don,

The ash trap covers on the Saranac are huge and even with just one screw holding them on I haven't noticed any need to add a gasket but the location of ash trap covers can lead to any that don't seal well to cause the flame to head towards them instead of up towards the heat exchanger.

As I have mentioned many times on here follow the air flow and all will be revealed.

In the intake, under the burn pot, up through the pellet pile, through the heat exchanger, out the sides and down through the ash traps, towards the combustion fan, through the combustion fan cavity and out the venting.

That's all folks, you now know the combustion air pump side of a pellet stove.

Keep that clean and sealed, then the stove burns well. Don't and the stove doesn't burn well. So easy any cave bear can handle the job.

Now I'll go back to my cave.

 

[smoke show]

Now I'll go back to my cave.

Promise?

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Promise?

There's a miscreant in every group, oh hi smoke, I didn't realize you were here ;-).

 

[smoke show]

Hey now be nice to Eaton...