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. 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 – Should be checked daily and cleaned periodically to keep air inlets open. Frequency of cleaning depends on fuel type, grade, and content. * Ash drawer – 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 – On some stoves, simply a matter of moving a rod that scrapes the tubes inside t
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. 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. •
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).
• 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.
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. Related entries • Pellet stoves • Pellet stove pros and cons • How pellet stoves work • Pellet stove cost • Buying a pellet stove • Installing a pellet stove • Maintaining a pellet stove • What are wood pellets? • Wood pellet cost and availability • Corn pellet stoves • Multi-fuel pellet stoves • Pellet stove insert Related categories • WOOD HEATING • FIRES AND FIREPLACES Sources: HEARTH Education Foundation (in cooperation with the Hearth Products Association and the Pellet Fuel Institute) and the Allegheny Pellet Corporation.
