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    ceblinn's Avatar
    ceblinn Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Feb 10, 2007, 05:53 AM
    Pellet Stoves
    I've had my Whitfield Pellet (Profile 20)stove for 3 years. Worked OK until last week when the temp dropped in the double digits. The top of the flame is orange and red and lazy. Fuel is often left unburnt and the doors are covered with black (not gray) soot within a couple of hours. I have cleaned everything that you can imagine on that stove. I have spent over $400 on technicians and I still cannot use it. The shop I bought it from won't aknowledge I have a problem. I know its not the fuel because I exchaned a bag with a friend who owns a Harmon Pellet stove and the fuel is fine. Can anybody share some helpful hints.
    letmetellu's Avatar
    letmetellu Posts: 3,151, Reputation: 317
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    #2

    Feb 10, 2007, 10:08 PM
    I do not know a lot about pellet stoves but I do know what the problem is, not necessarily how to fix it but I will go through a couple of things. The problem is that you are not getting enough combustion air into the fire. So you need to find out where it gets it air from and make sure it is clean.
    It is my understanding that most pellets stoves have a blower that blows air over the burning pellets to make then burn more like a blow torch which makes it such a great way to heat.
    If it does have a blower motor make sure that it is running and that all the air ways are open. It is possible that you have a vent system that carries out the fumes of the burnt pellets but also has a double purpose of bringing fresh air back into the fire box.

    Be very careful until you get this problem solved because as long as the heater is making the black soot it is creating carbon monoxide which you know is very dangerous.
    Michael7687's Avatar
    Michael7687 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Nov 9, 2008, 12:49 PM

    I have a wood pellet stove. I have had it for two years and have already changed a ignitor and a motor. The bottom auger that pushes the pellets into the fire will not turn all the time like it used too. I can turn it on and it will load up the burn chamber with pellets and then ignite but then the bottom auger will stop. I can't get it too keep feeding the pellets in. What could be the probem?
    hoossbigs's Avatar
    hoossbigs Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Nov 11, 2008, 11:50 PM
    The augers in a pellet stove are like pistons in a car. They have a mm diference between themselves and the auger walls. The problem I have seen is the pellet quality. I would say some 95 percent of all augers used in the I ndustry are the same. They are gaer driven high tourque motors. When a pellet is too large to be received by the auger it will crunch the pellet at the bottom opening. Over time with this crunching small yet troublesome dust starts to accumulate around the pellt walls and the auger. This will bind the motor and cause a jam. Jams are located ussually at the bottom of the opening but at the top as well. If a stubborn jam countinues it puts tremendous stress on the motors. All pellet stove customers know when the augers are running. We hear the hum then the pellets drop. Sometimes you can place a clothes hanger up the auger tube from the inside. (burn pot) and dis-lodge pellets. If not you have to pull your stove out (insert) or pull your side panel off (freestand) and manually turn the auger. I recommend every ton of prllets to run your stove dry (completly empty) and vacuum out saw dust from hopper. This will remove all potential saw dust accumulation and prevent the dreaded jam. In rare instances, the auger can be removed. All stoves are different here check manual! And bearings can be replaced. I have seen stoves last 15- 20 years on auger bearing with no trouble. I also have seen augers last this long as well. Bottom line is pellets. Inspect your bag for fines, dust and moisture. The best brand in California is Lignetics. Low ash and minimal fines. I hope this helps.
    dac122's Avatar
    dac122 Posts: 463, Reputation: 17
    Full Member
     
    #5

    Nov 12, 2008, 06:25 AM

    Check your chimney to be sure you have no blockages, and as a second resource try posting over at hearth.com's pellet forum. There's no better place to go for getting expert advice (and a good dose of humor) In my opinion.
    TheColonel's Avatar
    TheColonel Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #6

    Nov 21, 2008, 02:58 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Michael7687 View Post
    I have a wood pellet stove. I have had it for two years and have already changed a ignitor and a motor. The bottom auger that pushes the pellets into the fire will not turn all the time like it used too. I can turn it on and it will load up the burn chamber with pellets and then ignite but then the bottom auger will stop. I can't get it too keep feeding the pellets in. What could be the probem?
    Hello mike. Depending on the stove, it may be a set screw on auger shaft not tightened. This is an easy fix if that is the issue. Check the auger shaft and see if that is the case. If it is, get an allen wrench and re-tighten the set screw!
    vrg7113's Avatar
    vrg7113 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Mar 14, 2010, 05:35 PM

    If your pellet stoves flames have become orange/red and lazy the problem is with air intake and exhaust. First, make sure to clean all of he ash and residue from the inside of the firebox, that includes making sure the fire pot is clean and all of the air holes are completely clear. Now, where I believe your problems really exists is on the exhaust side of the unit. Disassemble the exhaust pipe from the unit. Clear the pipe, clean out the drop cap and clean out the entire flue going up through your existing chimney or the flue that goes directly out doors from the unit. If the flue is clogged or nearly clogged the unit cannot properly exhaust causing the flames to be large, orange/red and creating a lot of soot with the burn chamber.
    almac508's Avatar
    almac508 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Jan 8, 2011, 08:23 AM
    I have a Whitfield profile 30 bought little over 2 years ago. Have had nothing but problems with this from the start. Now it will start up fine and drop pellets for about 10 minuets then it stops droping pellets and goes out. Had it completely cleaned and replaced the eye sensor but still no luck. Can anyone sugest anything else.
    guitargal1's Avatar
    guitargal1 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Dec 18, 2011, 12:57 PM
    If our pipe is the kind that goes through the wall and up 4 feet, you are not getting enough draft. Make sure the exhaust pipe or chimney goes up well over your roof. That is sure to fix your problem.
    tiger_60436's Avatar
    tiger_60436 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Dec 24, 2011, 01:07 PM
    #1. the answer above chimney is pluggged you have to run the chimney cleaner all the was to the clean out.
    #2 Because it is used there are sensors by on the stove one on fire box blower and could be more on inside/ look on the electrical diagram. One of them has gone bad. They are cheep replace them. But go for the chimney first.
    tpitere's Avatar
    tpitere Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #11

    Nov 19, 2012, 09:28 PM
    I have a 4 year old quadrafire classic bay pellet stove my problem is the stove will start OK but the augher will stop dropping pellets and the fire will stop. I do hear the augher make an unusual noise when its rotating counterclockwise. Before it rotates clockwise. At his point I do not see any pellets dropping. I am not shure if the augher is gone bad or it is an otherproblem does anyone have an answer.
    birt33's Avatar
    birt33 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #12

    Mar 1, 2013, 12:40 PM
    You definitely have an air problem, which can be door gasket leaking ,combustion blower bad or blocked chimney. With stove turned off and cool with door shut and dollar bill inserted between door gasket and stove go all the way around stove and see if dollar bill pulls out easy you need to install door gasket which you can buy at any hardware store.take A piece of old gasket with you because there are different sizes gasket hope this helps

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