I have no ash issues with LaCrete and for me they burn much cleaner than FSU or MWP. Maybe they got a ton that had been wet? The dirty burn isnt an issue for my stove, but the LaCrete, Spruce Pointe, North Country will all heat better for me during the real cold months. Although the FSU will heat just fine right now, the biggest and most obvious difference is the lack of smaller blow torch type flame I get compared to the large billowy flame from FSU or MWP that produce less heat for the output air. Add to this that in the midst of winter, between working, home upkeep and the endless cleanup of snow, the last thing I need is more cleaning of the stove. If I can get less maintenance for 25-40 ton more money during this period, its worth my time. That's why I get a few pallets of the good stuff and use big box fuel for the shoulders.
That large flame sounds like an air/fuel issue with those pellets. I usually add a little air when burning the FSU, not the MWP though. Historically for me they have not been a very dense pellet.
No way to adjust air on a Harman but I thought the same thing and lower the feed rate a bit when I went to bed last night. Will see how it is tonight.
Ah too bad. It would be nice if you could make adjustments as well. I wonder how much the ESP can actually sense and make adjustments to compensate for. Do you know exactly what it reads and how it knows to adjust combustion air and or feed?
I believe that the billowy flame is from the more dense ash building up over the air holes. As soon as I clear the ash bed, the flame tightens up nicely. The FSU will build up as much as 1-1.5 inches thick of dense ash where a pellet with lighter fluffy ash as well as less volume wont have this. I have had this from MWP blend as well as most higher ash fuels. It varies with the ash content and although I am getting decent heat it comes with higher ash volume and density. Overall, it isnt a problem and I am getting good heat for the money paid. As far as the ESP, its been about 3 weeks since cleaning that so it may be part of the issue as well.
