Regular cleaning and annual professional cleanings of your pellet stove are vital for both maintenance and safety reasons. One of the major selling points for pellet stoves is the fact that pellets burn cleaner than other fuel sources. While this is true, it does not mean that they burn completely without any residue. As with any burning fuel, ash, soot, and creosote will accumulate on the interior of the stove. Fortunately, you can mitigate a certain amount of residue build-up by using a higher-quality pellet. Nonetheless, regular cleanings of your pellet stove are necessary. Over time, residue inside of the unit can become a fire hazard.
Pellet stoves should be cleaned on a weekly basis, which should include cleaning the glass, removing ash and scraping the burn pot. You'll also want to perform a more extensive pellet stove deep clean once per year, when the burning season is done, which includes a thorough cleaning of the firebox, fans, and venting. Pellet stoves require annual maintenance after every two tons of pellets are burned. The kind of pellets that you are using also matters. High-quality pellets burn hotter, leave less residue, and produce less "clinkers" (little deposits that come from melted and hardened ash).
The frequency of necessary professional cleanings will depend on whether your unit is working efficiently, how well you keep up with regular cleaning during the heating season, and usage. If the pellet stove is something you use sporadically to heat one room only, you may not need to have it cleaned every year. However, if it is the main source of heat for your home and it is working constantly throughout the cold season, you may consider having an additional cleaning if you notice excess creosote buildup, or if it is not producing heat as efficiently.
Whether you choose to have a professional cleaning done once at the beginning of the heating season, or at the end of the season is a personal choice. They should also be performed on an as needed basis. The general consensus is when you have burned through two tons of pellets.
Inspect the hopper and auger plate
Check pressure and latch switches
Clean ash from the exhaust pipes
Lubricate and clean convection and combustion motors
Inspect electrical wiring, heat switches and vacuum sensors
Clean fire chamber including the burn pot, ignition assembly, fire walls, draft chambers, exhaust ports and heat exchangers
Test electrical sensors and ignitor
Clean glass doors and start up stove to make sure all is working correctly
The main reason to hire a professional is for safety purposes. It may also be required by your insurance company. A homeowner may not have the skills or tools necessary to properly clean and inspect pellet stove components and venting systems. If you don’t feel skilled enough to handle this yourself it’s better to hire a professional.
We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business!