Product and Storage Tips
Wood Pellet Tips
Remember... The first thing you should do when encountering a problem with your pellet-burning appliance is review the instructional video and/or manual supplied with your stove. Contact your retailer for additional instructions if you cannot resolve the issue. Regularly perform the following maintenance procedures to ensure optimum performance from your pellet stove.
**Your stove may or may not be equipped with the items listed below.**
- Adhere to the cleaning & maintenance schedule as outlined in your owner's manual.
- Store your fuel in a clean, dry place.
- Occasionally clean your hopper of pellets and fines.
- Regularly clean and inspect your vent system.
- Clean and lubricate fans as suggested.
- Never use your household vacuum to clean the firebox of your stove.
- Inspect and clean the firebox and vent system ash traps as suggested.
- Keep air filters clean.
- Clean your heat exchanger as recommended.
- Inspect and clean the burn pot if necessary.
- Inspect and adjust door seals.
Dirty/Sooty Combustion Chamber Burn
- Review proper adjustment of any air dampers if your stove is so equipped.
- Remove any excess ash, carbon, or clinkers from the burn pot.
- Clean any air filters or air inlets to the appliance.
- Remove ( if possible ) the burn pot and clean the air openings in the burn grate.
- Inspect the burn pot and grate for proper fit and possible air leaks. Note: Many stoves in this area are equipped with gaskets that should be inspected.
- Inspect door and window seals for leaks.
- Clean firebox and vent ash traps.
- Re-adjust your air and fuel feed rates if possible for a leaner burn. This adjustment may need to be performed by an authorized stove technician.
Vent Maintenance
Small amounts of fine ash are also carried out through the vent pipe. This ash can eventually block the vent if not correctly cared for. Many stoves have ash bins or traps to capture the ash in the firebox or vent outlet before reaching the vent, which requires occasional cleaning. If your vent pipe should become blocked, a small amount of smoke may leak into your home. Most pellet-burning appliances have a safety switch interrupting its operation and minimizing any possible exposure. A regular inspection and cleaning schedule should be maintained to ensure proper operation. While inspecting the vent system, particular attention should be paid to the assembly joints for possible leaks. Leaky joints may cause poor performance and result in exhaust gases and ash leaking into the home. Many stove manufacturers recommend using high-temperature silicon sealant on the exhaust vent joints to prevent leaks.
Additionally, it is suggested that you only use a vacuum that is specifically designed for cleaning wood and pellet stoves. A standard household vacuum cleaner does not have the proper filter to trap the fine ash produced by a pellet stove and will force that fine ash into your home, creating a thin film of dust on your furniture. It is always recommended that a non-combustible pail with a lid is used to remove ashes from your home and that ashes always be disposed of safely.
As you can see, the operation of your pellet-burning appliance may not be as complicated as you may have thought. You, as a consumer, can do many things to ensure its proper operation. You may wish to review your owner's manual or video to acquaint yourself with the appropriate operation, cleaning, and maintenance schedule for your particular stove.
Tips For Fall
Don't forget to do your annual maintenance and service before lighting the stove this Fall. Clean your venting. Oil your motors if necessary. If you have leftover fuel from last year, do not use it if it has picked up moisture. Watch for bird nests or other critters in venting.
