Monthly Ash Removal
The large baffle plate
Use a screwdriver or chisel and break any creosote
Also inspect your flue pipes, and remove ash buildup from the
Carbon Removal: During normal operation carbon from the combustion of pellet fuel will tend to build up on the tip of the auger, on the wear plate and sides of the fire pot, and in the mouth of the feed tube. It is essential that this residue be removed to ensure trouble free operation of the unit. The frequency with which this carbon must be removed varies with brands of pellets, depending on moisture content, wood type, foreign material (dirt, etc.) in pellets, and other factors.
To remove this carbon, simply scrape it off using the blade of a flat tipped screwdriver or similar instrument; also, to remove it from the feed tube, scrape as much as can be easily reached, then insert an emery board (i.e. fingernail file made from a popsicle stick and sandpaper) between the feed auger and the feed tube and sand out any residue not removed from scraping alone. Clearing this carbon residue from the feed tube is essential for proper operation of the feed auger, which is designed to float freely in the feed tube allowing smooth fuel flow, a lesser possibility of a jam, and a quieter unit.
Annual Cleaning
The stove and the flue system should be given a complete cleaning at the end of the heating season. Remove the burn pot assembly, clean it thoroughly, and
Soot and Fly ash: Formation and Need for Removal – The products of combustion will contain small particles of fly ash. The fly ash will collect in the exhaust venting system and restrict the flow of flue gases. Incomplete combustion, such as occurs during startup, shutdown, or incorrect operation of the room heater will lead to some soot formation which will collect in the exhaust venting system. The exhaust venting system should be inspected at least once every year to determine if cleaning is necessary.
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