My way of sifting fines

[Bob11b]

Due to onset of RA and simultaneous PsA I had to find an easier way to fill my hopper and also improve pellet flow. I’ve seen several contraptions to sift pellets I decided in a simpler minimalist route that also multi tasks. I have been burning a horrible batch of fine infested pellets so I had to address the buildup in hopper which stopped the flow. I also had to eliminate the 40lb bag as at times I can barely lift it do to arthritis pain. My solution was under $15 at TSC.
1 (27 gal) tote holds 120lbs of pellets
1 feed scoop with holes drilled to sift while filling hopper.
Then just vacuum fines of hopper door.
I drilled several holes in scoop to sift fines

 

[Rascus]

Looks good.. If it works, do it! I've considered a cat litter type scoop, should have the same effect but with more holes so it'll sift easier.

I used a pvc vacuum contraption early this season and it worked really well to get fines out. It got cold and I got lazy, now with the dust in my house, I remember why I was sifting... Next season I plan on building a large storage bin so I can sift 1/2 - 1 to of pellets in a go and just scoop/dispense from that into buckets. We'll see if the motivation is still there this summer lol

 

[Bob11b]

Looks good.. If it works, do it! I've considered a cat litter type scoop, should have the same effect but with more holes so it'll sift easier.

I used a pvc vacuum contraption early this season and it worked really well to get fines out. It got cold and I got lazy, now with the dust in my house, I remember why I was sifting... Next season I plan on building a large storage bin so I can sift 1/2 - 1 to of pellets in a go and just scoop/dispense from that into buckets. We'll see if the motivation is still there this summer lol

It does work not as complete as a pvc vacuum system but my hopper is no longer saturated with fines that was creating a pellet dam.
I thought of a litter scoop but couldn’t find one large enough. Also I wanted the front of scoop solid so fines wouldn’t flow into hopper. I rest the perforated portion on hopper lid then just tilt the scoop to dump into hopper keeping contact until scoop is empty. Then just vacuum the lid and gasket area before closing lid. Some fines do get into hopper but that’s what the fine trap is for and is no longer filled in 2 weeks. The pellets I’m currently using are Atwood house brand (not PFI certified) and are loaded with fines. For softwood pellets they burn incredibly slow had to set feed rate to 2 or 2.5 otherwise red pellets spill into ash pan.

 

[zrock]

this is what i use fast and efficient and you probably already have one in the kitchen..LOL

https://www.guestsupply.ca/product/0012188-Sterilite-Plastic-Colander-White

 

[shtrdave]

We do what works for us, good you found your solution. I dump mine in the garage, I have two 14 quart I believe, buckets from tractor supply. They will hold a bag of pellets between the two then I just carry the buckets in. I don't sift, so I still have dust on the inside when I dump into the stove. But the tight space where my stove is it is much easier to dump from a bucket than a bag for me. I guess I am fortunate to not have an issue with the fines when it comes to stove operation, never imagined them to be the problem that they are for some brands.

 

[EbS-P]

You guys sift all of every bag? Or just the bottom?