Five Tips on Wood Pellet Stove Maintenance
Heat Exchanger
The first part of pellet stove maintenance focuses on the heat exchanger. It is located in the combustion chamber and is designed to transfer heat from burning fuel into clean hot air to be distributed around the home. The surface of this heat exchanger should be cleaned periodically to keep your wood pellet stove operating at maximum efficiency. Some stoves require daily cleanings while others only require cleaning once a month. Cleaning is usually just a matter of moving a rod forward and backward a few times. Some designs require cleaning by professionals.
Burn Pot
The next area that requires pellet stove maintenance is the burn pot. This is the stove’s carburetor and enables combustion by mixing the air and fuel together. The air and fuel rates should be properly adjusted so the stove operates at peak performance. The burn pot in the wood pellet stove should be cleaned occasionally to keep the air inlets free from clinkers and fines. Clinkers are formed when melted ash hardens, while fines are improperly formed pellets that have broken down before being used. The type and grade of the fuel that you use determines how often the burn pot should be cleaned.
Ash Bin
Before starting new fires, you should empty the ash bin. The amount of ash is a good indication of the quality of the pellets and the fuel efficiency of the wood pellet stove. Even when you’re not starting new fires, you should empty the bin occasionally. Some designs require emptying once a week while others can be emptied once a month. A vacuum can be used to remove the ashes, but you must wait until they have had a chance to cool down.
Ash Trap
Another part of pellet stove maintenance is the ash trap. These traps are located behind the fire chamber to prevent excess ash in the exhaust from getting out of the wood pellet stove. Most designs are accessed easily and a brush can be used to remove build-up inside the ash trap.
Venting System
The venting system is an area of pellet stove maintenance that is usually done by professionals. You can do it yourself if you have the right knowledge and equipment. The fans and motors need to be cleaned occasionally and may also need to be lubricated. Using the wrong type or amount of lubricant can damage components of the wood pellet stove. The fire chamber door and ash pan door may also need replacement gaskets to ensure a tight seal. The vent pipe should also be checked because if it becomes blocked, some smoke may leak into your house.
Pellet stove maintenance is required to keep the stove operating efficiently. Make sure you clean the heat exchanger and burn pot at least once a month. You should also clean the ash bin and trap in the wood pellet stove so the ash doesn’t build up. If you have the knowledge and equipment, you should also clean the venting system regularly.
