So true confession time. I don't really know if setting the burn rate actually does anything when the stove is set in automatic mode as this mode may be adjusting the rate as it needs. Thoughts? Out here in the PNW, I am able to set my pellet feed burn rate to 3 on my Harman i52 (they suggest in their manual that a feed rate of 4 works for most). Because I get cheap Douglas Fir pellets, this lower feed rate SEEMS to save me cash because the less pellets are generating ample heat for my 2000+ square foot home. The heat output seems quite hot enough but I sometimes wonder if it would not be better to set a higher burn rate (and therefore more pellets and/or heat) and burn hotter -- assuming it is actually doing anything in automatic mode. First thing that comes to mind is a hotter burn rate /* probably */ results in less carbon buildup and maybe the stove wouldn't be running all the time. And if you follow the wood burning logic, slower burns equal more carbon buildup and/or clinkers. Yet, the counter argument is the stove will reach desire temperatures probably a bit faster and /*may*/ result in more shutdowns and ignition restarts -- which consumes far more energy than any other thing in the stove. As for the buildup, these premium softwood pellets are pretty low in producing creosote anyway. I suspect my environment plays a role as well. Our temps seldom dip below 30 at night throughout the year (I think it has only hand full of times this year) and the lower feed rate seems to work perfect. What say you? Would you burn higher or lower if you could? Does manually setting this joy knob even do anything when the stove is in automatic mode?
I guess if you have an issue w/ carbon or clinkers, then Maybe, but - Lower- always here. Hold as much heat in the firebox -> heat exchanger as you can, for as long as possible.. I don't mind cleaning more frequently / keeping the feed rate in our stove's "sweet spot": it saves literally a ton of pellets a season, vs. throwing heat out the flue. re: getting up to operating temp. quicker - the pellets you're roasting burn a full 1k to 1,200 BTU vs. what most of us are burning here, you're probably talking (minutes) difference vs. a higher feed rate w/ your stove there. * If it was like an hour or so, sure - but for 10 or 15 minutes, I wouldn't change what's working well for you there. -Especially- w/ DF pellets, they burn so hot & clean, there's no need to roast any more, than you have to. re: Joy knob - um, you'd have to ask another Harman owner about that. Just my 2 pellets worth.
Thanks for posting that link Will. I've seen the feed rate explained in about every possible way, but that article does a nice concise job of it. It's basically a fuel governor. Set it too low and you are restricting the stove's heating capability. Set it too high and under extreme heat demand, you allow the stove to transform into a fire breathing dragon. dotman17 I set the feed rate at 3 on both stoves here as well. It certainly does apply in both stove temp (constant burn) and room temp modes too...
No problem T , right to the point and much better than I could explain it . You are correct it's a governor , not an accelerator .
I agree. That link you posted is a good one, Will. I just read a similar thread on Hearth that i thought was a bunch of chest pounding.
I adjust feed rate depending on size of pellets. smaller pellets get a lower setting (3) and longer pellets get a higher setting (4). but as explained above, it only sets what the stove is allowed to use at its top need - not what it uses at all times.
I like the explanation there. It told me why I am doing well with the room temp running. Stove is so automatic. Have to love it. I only have to keep it clean and well fed. In return, it keeps us warm and loving it. My cats love it also. Always have two or three of them sleeping around it. I am amazed how well the heat goes into our bedroom and is really enough. Once it shuts down for the year, I really miss it.
