Burn Pot Buildup!

I am scratching my head as why the carbon is building up so fast in the burn pot. No settings have changed. I was able to go 10 days before a cleaning was needed with Lignetics. Now with somersets , I am lucky to get 3 days, and the buildup is some hard carbon, I literally have to chip it out. The stove has had a top to bottom cleaning twice so far for every ton burned, and then of course I do my weekly cleanings. I just switched over to greenway, and it seems like it is going to do the same thing. Tomorrow I will clean it again, and then burn the last of my lignetics to see if it is pellet related. Once the carbon builds up you can hear the agitator grinding against the carbon, so I always shut if off so I do not break the bushing or pop the fuse. Not a major problem, it is just a inconvenience.

 

Could be the colder air temps? I have to chip a bit of carbon each day as well.

 

Different pellets produce different amounts of carbon for me. Normally Hardwood will produce more for.me than a softie.

 

You know to be honest that is one thing I never messed with is the damper adjustment or the feed and and air trim. The stove has always burned great, no creosote, just fly ash and so I leave it be. The dealer set the draft with a magneholic gauge, and so I leave it alone. I think it is just a difference in pellets like you said. I am having a different experience with Lignetics, they are burning hot and one of my favorites. I would put them up there with somersets, minus the fines. But I know we all have different experiences based on weather and setup. I do value your opinion, and I thank you!.

 

I get some carbon Build-up from the sets as well (I believe our stoves are basically the same), but not enough to interfere with the agitator. My problem is my agitator only lasts about a season and a half before the tines get cooked.

 

Thanks Jay for the Info, I really appreciate it, and I love the beached whale grown

 

Hey guys little idea here,my dad used to burn a mix of corn and pellets and would get build up like you guys are getting. I'm not sure where he got them but he got some oyster shells and sprinkled it in when he filled the stove and it seemed to help. I'd be interested to hear back if anyone had tried this or had anything else that works? I also made him a couple steel agitators used for mixing the pot,made one out of stainless as well because they were wearing thin!

 

Oyster shell is commonly used when burning corn to reduce clinkering.

 

I just heard back from dad and he said that the stainless agitator is getting a lot less build up. Anyone need one made up?

 

I had some carbon build up with Mixed pellets, but with Blazers, nothing since I turned the stove to 3.

 

Can you make one for an Enviro M55...If so how much??

 

Yea most likely got a picture and a couple measurements?

 

Best picture I have...The left side in the picture has a fancy cut as it turns into place.

 

Apparently the feedback from Somersets this year is, We ran a lot of Hickory flooring, so there is more ash, but they still exceed premium grade. I also see a lot more carbon from this years sets.

 

Better Picture...

 

Yes i can make that it looks like it is tapered on the ends? Is it a clearance issue? I might have to have you cut the end of the old one and send it up so i can weld it on or re fabricate it. Looks like you have a spare at least