Pellet lesson 101

[battlesphoto]

Is it ok to open the door while the stove is burning?
Is the feed trim rate you are talking about the auger rate? If so, right now it is set to "factory setting."
As far at the damper goes..it is wide open.
Is it possible there is a problem with the damper? According to the manual the damper is suppose to be installed by the technician. Although we had our stoves professionally installed the dampers were installed by us.

 

[jtakeman]

Is it ok to open the door while the stove is burning?
Is the feed trim rate you are talking about the auger rate? If so, right now it is set to "factory setting."
As far at the damper goes..it is wide open.
Is it possible there is a problem with the damper? According to the manual the damper is suppose to be installed by the technician. Although we had our stoves professionally installed the dampers were installed by us.

Q.)Is it ok to open the door while the stove is burning?
A.) Yes, Just turn the stove to low and let the flame settle down. Then open the door with your burnpot tool in hand. Give it a quick swish/scrape and close the door. Crank it back up and your good to go!

Q.)Is the feed trim rate you are talking about the auger rate?
A.) Most controllers have a feed trim adjustment. It isn't the feed level, its a trim level. We would need to know what stove you have to tell if you have this feature.

Q.)Is it possible there is a problem with the damper?
A.) If yours is wide open, You could have an air flow issue. The dampers come with the stoves. The tech's only adjust them(usually with a mag gauge) and set them to a factory recommended spec.

 

[battlesphoto]

Q.)Is it ok to open the door while the stove is burning?
A.) Yes, Just turn the stove to low and let the flame settle down. Then open the door with your burnpot tool in hand. Give it a quick swish/scrape and close the door. Crank it back up and your good to go!

Q.)Is the feed trim rate you are talking about the auger rate?
A.) Most controllers have a feed trim adjustment. It isn't the feed level, its a trim level. We would need to know what stove you have to tell if you have this feature.

Q.)Is it possible there is a problem with the damper?
A.) If yours is wide open, You could have an air flow issue. The dampers come with the stoves. The tech's only adjust them(usually with a mag gauge) and set them to a factory recommended spec.

 

[battlesphoto]

I have a Regency Greenfire GF55 Pellet Stove.
Just looked over manual again and I think the feed trim is the auger. It states the auger can be changed from factory setting of feeding every 3 seconds to 4 seconds or 2 seconds. It also states that this is usually only needed for poor quality pellets. I have been using Barefoots. I think that is a good pellet from the reviews.
The damper is the same that came with the stove. When they installed the stove the damper came dislodged and my husband reached in and screwed it back in. Don't know if that is ok or not. Also the tech's never used a mag gauge with the installation. Is this a must?
We live in Putnam County New York. Do you know of any pellet dealers that deliver to this area? Been having a hard time finding places and choices seem limited. Found Barefoots $289 ton, O'Mally $279 ton, Great American $229 ton, NE $269 ton, Energex $279 ton and Cubex $329 ton. Any advise on pellets?

 

[jtakeman]

I have a Regency Greenfire GF55 Pellet Stove.
Just looked over manual again and I think the feed trim is the auger. It states the auger can be changed from factory setting of feeding every 3 seconds to 4 seconds or 2 seconds.

Here is what I got from the GF55 manual. Looks like it has feed trim and combustion trim settings. See #4 and #5 below. As for you pellets you might want to start your own thread!

 

[battlesphoto]

Here is what I got from the GF55 manual. Looks like it has feed trim and combustion trim settings. See #4 and #5 below. As for you pellets you might want to start your own thread!View attachment 89293

Actually my panel looks different.
I did increase the auger trim to every 4 seconds instead of manufacture setting of 3 seconds.
Will see how this goes.
THANKS for all the advise.

 

[battlesphoto]

Well just woke up and there is another clinker.
So far I have removed the entire firebox and spent over an hour cleaning....that didn't work.
Damper wide open....that didn't work.
Tried turning the setting up for a few hours to "burn off" the clinker...that didn't work.
Changed the auger trim from feeding every 3 seconds to every 4 seconds....that didn't work.
I CAN'T KEEP CLEANING THIS THING EVERY DAY!
I will pick up a bag of Hamer's today and try a different pellet. Maybe the Barefoots are the problem.
Any other suggestions?

 

[stovelark]

Dear Battle- reading your comments- are these stoves free standing?? How are they vented?? When you adjust the damper is there a big adjustment in the flame picture?? When pulled out the flame should get brighter and shorter with a blowtorch appearance, when pushed in, should get longer, lazier and darken in color dull orange having black tips. If this is not happening, check for proper airflow- make sure too that ash door is pushed in at the bottom. If thats ok. start checking venting for obstruction, I'm assuming the combustion blower is working properly. Adjusting the damper with a magnehelic is a good thing, but you can certainly adjust it by visual. One other thing too, make sure the burnpot is sitting properly in the housing. You mentioned two stoves, are both acting up?? If so, gotta think pellets could be the common element. I'd put the trim and air back to factory settings too. The Greenfire is the same stove as an Enviro Meridian which is a digital board version of the Enviro EF3, a stove thats been around for years and years, a proven design. It could also be dirty vening but didn't sound like you had burned that much pellet yet. Let us know what you find. If you have concerns, the dealer hopefully will get involved too.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC pellet
Enviro Kodiak 1700 FS wood

 

[battlesphoto]

Both stoves are free standing. Vented straight out through and outside wall. Yes I notice a change in the flame when the damper is adjusted. I always make sure the burn pot is sitting straight and correct. I clean/vac out entire inside of firebox (daily...but want to spread that out!) and just took the back of the firebox off and cleaned out the built up ash. I was expecting to see a big difference given the amount of ash I cleaned out from behind the firebox wall. Only real difference I notice is heat output. The same pellets seem to be putting out much much more heat!! But every morning I wake up to a clinker! Tried changing the factory setting on auger feed from 3 to 4 seconds...no real difference. Just picked up 3 bags of green supreme and 3 bags of green team from Lowes. Will try those tomorrow. Was using O'Mally and Barefoot. So far the only pellets I can find are:
O'Mally
Barefoot
Green Supreme
Green Team
Inferno
Great American
NE
Energex
Cubex
Hamers
Homestead
Cleanfire Hardwood
LG
Cleanfire Pacific

From what I have read on reviews Inferno, Energex, and NEWP are no good.
Barefoot, Green Team, Hamers are good.

Any advice on above pellets list? Looking for the Pot Of Gold (low ash, clean, high heat and cheap)!

 

[glenc0322]

everyone is looking for the pot of gold but what works great in my stove may be terrible in yours and even if you have the same stove. your set up could be different and that will effect how the stove operates. you need to pick a pellet and try it untill you find the one you like then buy that brand and hope its the same batch because they are all different. especially year to year. good luck

 

[battlesphoto]

everyone is looking for the pot of gold but what works great in my stove may be terrible in yours and even if you have the same stove. your set up could be different and that will effect how the stove operates. you need to pick a pellet and try it untill you find the one you like then buy that brand and hope its the same batch because they are all different. especially year to year. good luck

I notice you use Green Supreme and (?) Great American.
Do you like them?
Yes I understand all stoves run different. Even Pellets are different from year to year. A never ending search...right?

 

[glenc0322]

I notice you use Green Supreme and (?) Great American.
Do you like them?
Yes I understand all stoves run different. Even Pellets are different from year to year. A never ending search...right?

I like them the price is great for the green supremes only 180 ton from the box store and the gaps are a better pellet with less ash but cost 240 last year. Both pellets were good heat and were light ash. I Live on long island so its not real cold.when it was in the low 30's I was using 1 bag of pellets and it lasted 22 hrs my house was kept in the 70's I have a 3 bed room ranch. I would recommend either pellet . next year I am just going to get the supremes for the price they were better for me

 

[stovelark]

Ok battle- if you cleaned interior. did you get in between the H/Exch tubes well too? And the upper baffle plate? It sounds like you have checked most things. How about the ash door?? If damper is changing flame look, then sounds like the stove is working ok. You can time the auger feed by getting the settings out of the manual if you think the motherboard might not be working correctly. I'd go back to factory settings for feed and air trims. If you get a clinker buildup still how long does it take to build up?? Is it a partial buildup or a brick in the burnpot?? On the pellets, I'd suggest Hamers, cleanfire pacific barefoot cleanfire hardwood all have been good pellets. Let us know what you find.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC
Enviro Kodiak 1700 wood FS

 

[StormPanic]

Hey There - I also own a GF55 - got it this year. I was having the same type of problems until I installed my OAK. Do you have an OAK installed? - makes a huge difference. I have basically tried every brand of pellet available in my area and the best burning for me in my stove has been Fireside Ultra from Home Depot. I have also had good luck with Stove Chow, Cubex, and MWP blend. My damper is wide open, feed trim at 2, combustion air at 5.

 

[battlesphoto]

Hey There - I also own a GF55 - got it this year. I was having the same type of problems until I installed my OAK. Do you have an OAK installed? - makes a huge difference. I have basically tried every brand of pellet available in my area and the best burning for me in my stove has been Fireside Ultra from Home Depot. I have also had good luck with Stove Chow, Cubex, and MWP blend. My damper is wide open, feed trim at 2, combustion air at 5.

First, what is the "OAK"?
Second, how do you adjust the combustion air (or is 5 the factory setting)?
Third, is the feed trim the auger? The factory setting is every 3 seconds. Why did you drop to 2 seconds?
Will drop by Homedepot and see what they have.

 

[StormPanic]

First, what is the "OAK"?
Second, how do you adjust the combustion air (or is 5 the factory setting)?
Third, is the feed trim the auger? The factory setting is every 3 seconds. Why did you drop to 2 seconds?
Will drop by Homedepot and see what they have.

Hello - OAK is the outside air kit (or outside air intake).

My control panel looks like the one in the picture above. I actually just checked and my feed trim is set to 4 and combustion air is 5. You hold down the combustion air trim or feed trim button and hit the arrows up/down to adjust (if your control panel is like the one in the pic above). Feed trim is the auger trim.

My problem was that my stove was not getting enough combustion air. OAK install fixed that.

 

[battlesphoto]

Hello - OAK is the outside air kit (or outside air intake).

My control panel looks like the one in the picture above. I actually just checked and my feed trim is set to 4 and combustion air is 5. You hold down the combustion air trim or feed trim button and hit the arrows up/down to adjust (if your control panel is like the one in the pic above). Feed trim is the auger trim.

My problem was that my stove was not getting enough combustion air. OAK install fixed that.

My stoves were installed by the company I purchased them from.
Don't know if an OAK is part of the installation. I will inquire. Is that a normal fixture or added piece?
Both my pellet stoves DO NOT have the control panel shown above. I find that odd. I am able to control temp levels (1-5), auger, fan (on or off), power (on or off), auger trim (2 sec, 3 sec or 4 sec), and can change control switch to manual, high/low or auto/off. Both units were purchased new. Manual dated 2008.

 

[Tim Linden]

Glad I read this post.. I tried a bag of infernos a local store had around ($5.99 for that bag...)
to compare to the Fireside Ultras I've got 2 tons of. The pellets were way bigger but they flames
were way higher. I thought that meant better but the FSU are burning "cleaner" and less sound
of the auger breaking up the huge pellets!

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

battlesphoto, are both stoves burning and what is your vent system on each stove comprised of?.

What other devices do you have in your house that burn any fuel at all?

What devices do you have in your house that move air from inside the house to outside?

Are there any fireplaces in the house?

How old is your house?

 

[battlesphoto]

Ok battle- if you cleaned interior. did you get in between the H/Exch tubes well too? And the upper baffle plate? It sounds like you have checked most things. How about the ash door?? If damper is changing flame look, then sounds like the stove is working ok. You can time the auger feed by getting the settings out of the manual if you think the motherboard might not be working correctly. I'd go back to factory settings for feed and air trims. If you get a clinker buildup still how long does it take to build up?? Is it a partial buildup or a brick in the burnpot?? On the pellets, I'd suggest Hamers, cleanfire pacific barefoot cleanfire hardwood all have been good pellets. Let us know what you find.

Stovelark
Enviro EF3 FS pellet
Enviro Empress FPI AC
Enviro Kodiak 1700 wood FS

Reset to factory setting on auger trim. Put in a bag of Green Supreme at 7am this morning. Now 14 hours later I have a good size clinker. The clinkers are brick like when I scrape them out. Usually when I go to bed I check it and there may be 1/4 full on bottom of burn pot after running most of the day. Upon waking in the morning it is usually 3/4 full and sometimes spill over of pellets, lazy flame with damper wide open. Window with black soot along with back of firebox wall. Yes whenever I clean, which is daily because of this, I vac out the entire firebox and get down on the floor and vac out all the heat exchange tubes up top (also squeeze in a paint brush to areas I can't reach to get the ash out). What is the OAK? Is this a normal installation piece or extra? I am going to contact the seller/installer tomorrow to see what they say. Not the best customer service when dealing with trouble shooting or stove problems!

 

[battlesphoto]

battlesphoto, are both stoves burning and what is your vent system on each stove comprised of?.

What other devices do you have in your house that burn any fuel at all?

What devices do you have in your house that move air from inside the house to outside?

Are there any fireplaces in the house?

How old is your house?

We have baseboard heat that is oil run. Since installing the pellet stoves we stopped using that for the most part. Now just the hot water runs off that.
We also have central air system, off now.
No fireplaces, just the two pellet stoves. Free standing vented through an outside wall, straight through.
House is 19 years old.
Both stoves prof. installed.
Both stoves running, but in different areas of the house.
Vent system was done by prof installers.
Just tried a different pellet, Green Supreme, and again clinker after 14 hours. Was using Barefoots prior.
Had significant amount of ash behind the firebox wall upon opening and cleaning. Was surprised considering we have only burned through a ton.

 

[StormPanic]

My stoves were installed by the company I purchased them from.
Don't know if an OAK is part of the installation. I will inquire. Is that a normal fixture or added piece?
Both my pellet stoves DO NOT have the control panel shown above. I find that odd. I am able to control temp levels (1-5), auger, fan (on or off), power (on or off), auger trim (2 sec, 3 sec or 4 sec), and can change control switch to manual, high/low or auto/off. Both units were purchased new. Manual dated 2008.

2 pipes behind your stove, exhaust and intake. If both have pipes attached, you have OAK installed. If not, it's not installed and your stove is using the air in your house for combustion

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

You don't have enough burn air going through the burn pot for whatever reason.

You could have bad door seals or be trying to run too many devices that use air at the same time or many other things that are the equivalent (air issues).

Or burning a high ash pellet without a high ash burn pot (air issue).

Be over EVL in your venting (air issue).

Already plugged up exhaust path (air issue).

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

We have seen a number of professional installations that really weren't, so we ask.

So there is no vertical on those vents, just straight out?

How long are they and do they go uphill away from the stove?.

 

[battlesphoto]

2 pipes behind your stove, exhaust and intake. If both have pipes attached, you have OAK installed. If not, it's not installed and your stove is using the air in your house for combustion

There is only one pipe that goes straight from the back of the stove through the wall to the outside.
So this means only exhaust?
What would cause a house not to have enough air for combustion?
Also, is one way safer than the other as far as air quality?