Consumer Guide to Heating with Pellets

You can get a sense of what heating with pellets involves through an introduction to the principles of operation and the reasons for maintenance that you will come to understand as an experienced operator.

Operation

What's a good starting point for learning to operate a pellet stove?

The rule here is "Before all else fails, read the instructions." Operating a pellet" stove is not difficult, but it is a new technology that calls for basic knowledge. Training videos accompany some stoves, and hands on demonstrations by many dealers and installers.

How do I start a fire?

Small dry fuel (pellets) and combustion air provided by a fan on most designs make startup easy. Operating instructions provided with the stove give the specific steps to follow. Manual ignition stoves call for the owner to apply an approved gel or solid starter material (no liquids), light the pellets, and monitor the fire to see that the fire catches and the flame gradually grows. On automatic ignition stoves, pushing the start button feeds pellets to the burn pot and heats the self-igniter device.

What if the stove doesn't start properly?

A safety device monitors startup and stops fuel feed if operating temperatures are not reached within a specified time period. If startup fails, the operator makes sure that the hopper has fuel, that fuel is feeding, and restarts the stove. Repeated failed lighting cycles indicate the need for maintenance or professional service.

What do I do after the stove starts?

After control panel or air inlet adjustments and a quick performance check, the stove is set to provide hours of even, comfortable heat. Stoves equipped with a remote wall thermostat respond to owner setting and room air temperature by cycling on and off or by cycling from a low to high burn, depending on stove startup design.

What are signs of performance problems?

Properly operated and maintained pellet stoves experience few, if any problems. Most of pellet stove operation is automatic, but sometimes combustion air adjustment is needed. A lazy, orange, sooty flame or dark smoke coming out of the vent (after startup and before shutdown) may indicate the need for more air. An overactive, "blow torch" flame calls for less air." Performance problems are more likely to be caused by neglected maintenance than by operation. Lazy flame, dark smoke, unusual sooting of glass, unexplained smoke spillage, and reduced heat output all point to the need for maintenance of appliance components and/or the venting system or for remedies for house depressurization. Problems related to mechanical failure usually result in safety switches shutting the appliance down. Appliance shutdowns may, however, indicate nothing more than owner forgetfulness (empty hopper) or hurry (improper startup), or intermittent power failure. Unexplained, repeated appliance shutdowns call for professional advice and service.

How do I shut the stove down?

Shutting the stove down is typically a matter of simply setting the control to the Off position according to operating instructions. The fuel feed stops delivering fuel right away, and after the stove cools sufficiently, all motors and blowers cease operation. The stove should NOT be shut down by unplugging the power cord.

What happens in an unexpected shutdown such as a power outage or component failure?

Although fuel feed stops in a power outage, the pellets in the burn pot may continue to burn or smolder. The duration of this condition can vary with appliance design from a few minutes to an hour or more. The resulting smoke and hot gases rise, seeking the path of least resistance. If the exhaust vent does not have vertical sections to provide natural draft, smoke may spill into the home (Figure 14).

Maintenance

What are the routine things that I do to keep my stove working right?

Routine maintenance tasks are essential to peak stove performance:

• Burn pot (Figure 15). Checked daily and cleaned periodically to keep air inlets open. Frequency of cleaning depends on fuel type, grade, and content.
• Ash drawer (see Figure 15~. Emptying recommended before starting new fires and occasionally by interrupting stove operation. Frequency depends on fuel and stove design. Typically once or twice a week, but monthly in some new designs.
• Heat exchanger (Figure 16) On some stoves, simply a matter of moving a rod that scrapes the tubes inside the stove. May require professional service on others.
• Ash traps. Chambers located behind the fire chamber which prevent excess fly ash in the exhaust from exiting the stove. Easily accessed for ash removal by owners in some designs; on others requires professional service.
• Glass. Cleaned with glass cleaner when the glass is completely cool on stoves with effective air wash systems. May require more vigorous methods on others.
• Hopper. Checked for accumulated sawdust materials (fines). Fuel in the hopper and auger tube should be run out occasionally to prevent auger blockage by fines 

What are some of the more advanced maintenance tasks?

Cleaning the venting system is usually performed by professionals (see below), but can be tackled by the handy stove owner with thorough knowledge and the right equipment. Motors and fans need occasional cleaning and may require lubrication. The wrong lubricant or wrong amount of lubricant can damage components. Some components which call for removal for service require replacement of a gasket . Gaskets for the fire chamber door, ash pan door, and hopper lid (on some designs) may need occasional replacement to assure a tight seal.

What professional maintenance and repair services will I need?

Most pellet stove owners depend on professional service for cleaning and preventive maintenance on at least an annual basis. Many dealers offer service plans that offer reduced costs and convenient scheduling. Cleaning and maintenance services usually performed include:

• Emptying ash traps and cleaning exhaust passages behind the fire chamber.
• Cleaning and lubricating fans and motors.
• Cleaning the hopper and fuel feed system.
• Cleaning the heat exchanger system.
• Cleaning exhaust pipes and resealing the venting system if needed.
• Verifying and adjusting the stove settings with proper gauges and meters.