In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Hopper Slide Issues

Discussion in 'Pellet Stoves, Pellet Fireplaces, Pellet Furnaces' started by IHATEPROPANE, Feb 23, 2015.

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  1. IHATEPROPANE

    IHATEPROPANE

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    What techniques, if any, do you use to help the pellets slide down the hopper. Both of my stoves could be better in this area and I may get myself to do something. My current thoughts are between a graphite spray or high temp aluminum tape (600℉). Any thoughts or ideas?
     
    IHATEPROPANE, Feb 23, 2015
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  2. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    I used pledge(on a cold stove) and it help greatly. I plan on scotch brite-ing the hopper(one of these days-yep hasn't come yet).
     
    jtakeman, Feb 23, 2015
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  3. ivanhoe

    ivanhoe

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    X2
    My Harman would build up a residue with time. Hopper gets really hot on one side which melts the resin of the pellets:mad:Which pellets you use makes a difference, softies has more resin. Sticky pellets is another culprit.
     
    ivanhoe, Feb 23, 2015
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  4. ivanhoe

    ivanhoe

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    Scotch brite-ing meaning using a green scour pad. If yes, I do not recommend it. I've use the pad to clean the chrome racks inside the kitchen oven and it would scratch the chrome off to a dull looking sink appearance with fine scratch marks. It might work inside the hopper, trial & error!?!?
     
    ivanhoe, Feb 23, 2015
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  5. imacman

    imacman

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    IHP, I used foil furnace tape on all the corners that lead down to the auger. Along with that, I sprayed Behold furn. polish on all the flat surfaces and buffed them good. Seemed to help some.
     
    imacman, Feb 23, 2015
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  6. jtakeman

    jtakeman Moderator

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    Yeah, I wouldn't use the Green or Red. I would use the white or grey pads. They are finer grit IIRC.

    My hopper is galvanized and the surface is pretty rough. Just trying to lightly polish the surface a tic. Most pellets are fine and slide without issues. The dusty pellets seem to be the best. Coarse pellets are the ones with slide issues in my heap. So really not an issue unless I get pellets that have a coarse texture.

    I might try the aluminum tape in the corners and the lower portion. That's seems to be were they stick the most. BTW imacman(pete) is where I got the furniture polish trick from many moons ago!! ;)
     
    jtakeman, Feb 23, 2015
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  7. imacman

    imacman

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    An oldie but a goodie. :thumbs:
     
    imacman, Feb 23, 2015
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  8. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    You or the trick??
     
    eatonpcat, Feb 23, 2015
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  9. imacman

    imacman

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    Both!! :rootintootin:
     
    imacman, Feb 23, 2015
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  10. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Sounds like a better industrial coating is needed than what comes from t he factory. Maybe an industrial plating business can help you guys out with a permanent solution? Black hardcoat? Maybe with a silicone impregnated finish to reduce sticking and proper sliding?
     
    Horkn, Feb 23, 2015
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  11. imacman

    imacman

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    Teflon?
     
    imacman, Feb 23, 2015
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  12. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    tape a vibrator to the side of the bin, put it on a timer.....say, one minute on per hour? Or, you could install a proximity sensor, and have it turn the vibrator on....would probably have to be an electric model, rather than battery operated, maybe a big one (might look funny attached to the side of the bin, but sure would be a conversation piece!).....you probably also don't need to spring for the ones in certain colors or shapes, with rotating beads, etc.....just a thought.....
    :eek:
     
    Lousyweather, Feb 23, 2015
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  13. imacman

    imacman

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    I'm not going anywhere near this topic......:picard:
     
    imacman, Feb 23, 2015
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  14. Horkn

    Horkn

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    Teflon, silicone, and vibrators. Oh my!:rofl: :lol:
     
    Horkn, Feb 23, 2015
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  15. subsailor

    subsailor

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    You guys aren't OCD enough. I can't walk by the stove without opening the hopper and smoothing the pellets. That takes care of the issue for me.
     
    subsailor, Feb 23, 2015
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  16. will711

    will711

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    You seem to be very informed about these :whistle:
     
    will711, Feb 23, 2015
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  17. ivanhoe

    ivanhoe

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    The lips is a tell tale sign upload_2015-2-23_21-29-31.jpeg
     
    ivanhoe, Feb 23, 2015
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  18. Lousyweather

    Lousyweather

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    Idem ad vos
     
    Lousyweather, Feb 23, 2015
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  19. Triple A Arsenal

    Triple A Arsenal

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    Yup, same here. A look in the hopper and a smooth out does the trick for me
     
    Triple A Arsenal, Feb 24, 2015
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  20. Triple A Arsenal

    Triple A Arsenal

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    That's the sign of a great relationship and a very happy man!
    :D:D:D
     
    Triple A Arsenal, Feb 24, 2015
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