Sooty at medium and low burn rate

[psquare603]

I have a Classic 1200 that has been used for the last 8 years with no issues. I keep the stove VERY clean. Burning the same pellets for the entire time. Just recently, if I run the stove on the high burn rate, it stays very clean. If I turn the burn rate down to the medium or low setting, lots of soot.
I determine that the issue seems to be the stove does not "breathe" as efficiently on the lower settings. I'm wondering if the exhaust fan turns at a slower speed when the stove is set to the lower burn rates? If not, I'm stumped as to why it creates so much soot on the lower burn.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Clueless in New Hampshire...LOL

 

[ARC]

I'm wondering if the exhaust fan turns at a slower speed when the stove is set to the lower burn rates?

That is exactly what the exhaust fan does, if this just started happening then I would say you have a ash blockage somewhere in the system.

 

[johneh]

Maybe a good candidate for the leaf blower trick

 

[psquare603]

Used the leaf blower. Lots of ash removed. The stove looks like it is burning very clean. No soot after 2- 3 hours. Thanks so much for the idea. I'll make this a yearly must do.

 

[ARC]

I'll make this a yearly must do.

I usually do it twice a year end of year cleaning and January (mid heating season) stove will let you know when it is time will start not burning as well and a regular cleaning does not fix it.

 

[Ricks]

Stove manufacturers really should include the leaf blower cleaning method for their stoves. Clean stoves are happy stoves!

I have an older Whitfield Quest. The manufacturer told me to cut two holes in my stove to clean out two exhaust passages. Instead I tried the leaf blower trick. Problem solved and I didn’t have to modify my stove.