Too Much Air?

[South of Boston]

How can you tell if you are getting to much air to your fire? A perfect flame should be fierce and not lazy. But what are the signs of to much air? more dust? no flame? When you open the door you get that lazy flame.
Kinda curious what the takes are. Of course we are talking about a pellet flame.

 

[krooser]

Look at your glass... a perfect air/fuel ratio will leave a tannish/whiteish coating on the glass. Too much air and you'll get a brown almost sticky residue. Too sooty...black, smoky coating.

 

[crausch]

South of Boston:

The easiest way to make sure that an efficient flame is achieved is to understand the characteristics of the fire.
• A tall, lazy flame with dark orange tips, requires more air – Open slider (pull out) slightly.
• A short, brisk flame, like a blowtorch, has too much air – Close slider (push in) slightly.
• If the flame is in the middle of these two characteristics with a bright yellow/orange, active flame with no black tips then the air is set for proper operation

The above is from the EF2 manual. However, the difference between an active flame and a "brisk" flame like a blow torch could be hard to distinguish. What the manual refers to as a brisk flame like a blow torch, I usually describe as fierce blow torch flame. And in that case the flame is probably short as described. Another way to judge is to have the air turned up to where the pellets just start to move or bounce around. After you have made your adjustment, then you can use the film on the glass as an indicator like "krooser" details. Also keep an eye on the exhaust to see if you see any smoke coming out your pipe. There should be no smoke or only a tiny bit ocassionally.

 

[RetireeBob]

codebum:
in my case turning the air up to where the pellets just start to move applies to softwood. using hardwood pellets, turning the air up to that point gives a short bright yellow flame and less heat.
i like using the film on the glass as an indicator even though this setting produces some clinkers and doesnt always clear the airholes in the firepot


lopi yankee

 

[South of Boston]

MAybe I should rephrase the question.
What are the consequences with to much air in the fire?

 

[timinct]

Burn the pellets up faster. Waste heat.

 

[imacman]

Burn the pellets up faster. Waste heat.

I agree. Plus, if you are running on a lower heat setting, there is a chance the pellets will burn up so fast, that you could actually "blow the fire out" (no burning pellets/embers left to ignite the new pellets).

 

[South of Boston]

Maybe I should rephrase the question.
What are the consequences with to much air in the fire?

I really think I have no problem with the air. It just seems that I have more ashes than expected. Have burned several names on pellets and all burn about the same. the glass stays clear for two days on the last third day gets a whitish ash film.
Having a too slow air flow back in Oct/Nov 08 I personally know what creosote looks like and how it can burn in the exhaust housing causing a mess. Did a full cleaning today after another full two weeks ago. It seems like allot of ashes. I have no unburned pellets and the fire stays in the burn pot with little clinkers.

 

[crausch]

RetireBob:

in my case turning the air up to where the pellets just start to move applies to softwood. using hardwood pellets, turning the air up to that point gives a short bright yellow flame and less heat.

That recommendation is stove dependent. I don't even have that capability on my stove as it is automated. It sounds as though "South of Boston" currently has a good burn. "TimInCt" is correct in his statement. The biggest issue with burning with too much air is the pellets burn up faster. As for using the film on the glass, well...I pay attention to the color of the film on my glass but I also pay attention to how fast it films up. In my case it can take days with good pellets.