Operating Tips for Pellet Stoves
General Information
Pellet fuel varies in size and material quality. This will
effect your pellet stoves operation in several ways.
Pellet Size
Size of the pellet in both diameter and length will effect
the amount of fuel your stove will burn. In general terms
a standard pellet is 1/4" in diameter and should range
from ½" to 3/4". The smaller and shorter a pellet is the
faster it will feed into the stove and the larger and longer
the slower. Your Easyfire stove is easily adjusted for this
by changing the “trim” setting (Review the installation
instruction and video). Just remember that if the fuel
changes from bag to bag an adjustment may be needed.
Pellet Material
The base material used in manufacture of the pellet is
directly related to how much adjustment and cleaning
your stove will require. Wood is made up of a number of
nature components. After the wood is burned, the left
over material is ash and silica. If there is a low
percentage of these materials in the wood, your Easyfire
stove will eject this material out of the firepot and into the
ash trap space inside the stove. During operation of the
stove you will see the “fly ash” blown out into the bottom
of the stove. If the pellet has a high percentage of ash
and silica, these things combine in the firepot at very
high temperature to form a large mass that cannot be
blown out. This will cause the firepot to fill up and the
stove to run poorly.
Figure 1 - Cleaning the burnpot
Cleaning the burnpot during stove operation
Warning: If extreme caution is not observed during this
procedure, bodily injury or property damage will result. If
you have any doubts or concerns shut the stove down
and follow the cleaning instructions in the installation
guide.
Note: This procedure does not replace the cleaning and
maintains required in the installation and operation
instruction accompanying the stove.
Operating Tips
The best way to minimize the time spent cleaning and
adjusting your stove is to buy fuel that is low in ash and
has a consistent size. There are many high quality fuels
on the market that are in this category. Ask your dealer
what fuel he or she has run in the stove and what works
best. If you purchase fuel from another source, obtain
only a couple of bags and try them out. If they run clean
then consider purchasing a large quantity from that “lot.”
Tools required:
1 - An old table spoon
1 - Glove or hand protection
1) Turn stove to “low” setting and allow the flame to
burn down.
2) Open door and carefully with a protected hand
and the spoon remove coals from firepot and
deposit them into the bottom of the stove (fig 1).
This type of fuel purchasing strategy also keeps your
costs down. Consider buying fuel early in the heating
season or even before the season starts. Once you
have verified that the fuel burns satisfactorily, a purchase
of one ton will generally result in the lowest possible
price. This will also allow you to set up the stove and run
most of the season with very little adjustments.
3) Remove all ash and coals in the fire pot leaving
only a small amount in the center to light the
incoming pellets.
4) Close and latch the door. Turn the control knob
to the “Clean” setting for 15 seconds to blown
ash from fire pot.
Daily Operation
Pellet stove heating is generally used to zone heat. This
is the most practical application because you heat an
area of the house that you spend the most time, i.e., the
family room or living room. The stove is designed for
continuous operation and is most efficient in the “Low” or
“Medium” settings.
Warning: Do not operate stove on clean setting for more
than 30 seconds or permanent damage may occur.
5) Return stove to the preferred operating setting.
This method of cleaning when safely accomplished, or
cleaning by shutting the stove off completely will result in
clean operation and increased utility.
Check the stove during the day for fuel quantity and
general operation. Always look through the glass at the
firepot and the area above the pot. If the stove is
adjusted properly with good quality fuel, the pot will be
about a third full of “coals” and the surrounding area a
lite tan color. This color indicates clean combustion. If
the firepot is more than a third full and or the area is
black and sooting the firepot should be cleaned. This
can be accomplished by shutting the stove down or by
the following method (check your operating instructions
included with your stove for shut down and cleaning).
For additional information regarding pellet stove fuels or
operation contact your dealer customer service.
Sierra Products, Inc.
5061 Brooks St., Ste. B, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone 1-909-399-3355 x21
Fax 1-909-399-3357
Sierra Products, Inc. 5061 Brooks St., Ste. B Montclair, CA 91763
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