Do you ever wonder why your pellet stove smokes? You’re not alone. When I used the appliance for the first time, I noticed smoke emissions. I wondered whether these fumes were normal and what caused them, so I did my research, which I’ll share with you below.
A pellet stove will emit a small amount of smoke as it burns wood pellets and produce heat. On the other hand, a large smoke is caused by several things. It can be as simple as a dirty burn pot or wet pellets, or something serious, such as mechanical issues.
Below, I will teach you the other reasons why your pellet stove may unexpectedly produce smoke. I’ll also share some tips on how to fix the issue.
Why Does My Pellet Stove Smoke?
A pellet stove produces a small amount of smoke during standard operation. This is because it burns wooden pellets.
But under normal circumstances, the appliance shouldn’t emit a large amount of smoke. If it does, there are several culprits behind it. Let’s take a look at the reasons why your pellet stove has visible smoke.
Poor Quality or Wet Wood Pellets
One of the most common reasons why the pellet stove releases fumes is the type and quality of fuel used.
A pellet stove feeds on wooden pellets, hence its name. Pellets that have become damp or wet at some point will not burn properly. The incomplete combustion causes a lot of smoke inside the firebox, which may blow into your house.
Old or low-quality wood pellets can also produce a lot of visible smoke, which shouldn’t be normal.
Dirty Burn Pot
Another cause of a large smoke coming from your pellet stove is a dirty burn pot or combustion chamber.
This component is where the flame ignites, and the pellets burn. It mixes cool outside air (which comes from the stove convection blower) with fuel to create combustion.
If the burn pot is dirty, the soot and debris build-up may prevent your stove running smoothly. That can trigger your pellet stove to blow a lot of smoke into your home.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter removes contaminants from the air before the blower pulls it inside the burn pot or combustion chamber.
If the air filter is clogged with dirt and dust, the gas cannot circulate properly. As such, the stove will produce more smoke than usual.
Incorrect Vent Installation
Do you have an exhaust vent connected to your pellet stove to expel the waste air? If you installed it properly, it wouldn’t cause smoke to return to your house.
On the other hand, incorrect vent installation can lead to a lot of smoke coming from the vent pipe. You can always consult a qualified HVAC technician to determine whether the smoke problem is indeed caused by the vent orientation.
Blocked Exhaust Vent
A blocked exhaust vent is another reason why your chimney may start smoking unexpectedly. The blockage can be as simple as ash or soot build-up.
However, in other cases, birds or other animals may have built a nest, which prevents smoke from escaping your house.
Regardless of the cause, you must immediately remove the blockage. If you ignore the problem, the smoke will continue to escalate and lead to a dangerous fire.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical issues can also lead to the pellet stove emitting smoke. For example, if the hopper is overfeeding the burn pot with more pellets than it can consume, it causes excessive smoke. A malfunctioning exhaust blower or a very long intake pipe can also result in fumes blowing into your room.
In rare cases, the cause of the smoke might be the injectors or the fuel system. The former transports fuel (wood pellet) to the combustion chamber. If it delivers the incorrect amount of fuel, it increases the smoke produced by the burn pot. Meanwhile, if the fuel system is dirty or clogged, it can trigger issues in your pellet stoves.
How Do I Stop My Pellet Stove From Smoking?
To stop your pellet stove from smoking excessively, you must first understand its cause. Only then can you determine the proper solution.
If you have wet pellets, you must dry them before putting them inside the hopper. Leave them in a sunny area in your home. You can also use the lowest heat setting of a hair blower to dry the pellets. Those who own old or low-quality wood pellets must buy new ones to prevent a lot of smoke.
Did you discover your burn pot is dirty and filled with soot? If so, clean it using a scraper tool and vacuum. Make sure the pellet stove is turned off and cool before accessing the combustion chamber. Remove it from its compartment and dislodge all types of debris stuck inside. Then, turn on the vacuum cleaner to eliminate fine dust. When dealing with stubborn particles, consider elbow grease or any commercial cleaner. Remember to clean the burn pot regularly to stop your pellet stove from smoking. Once it’s clean, tighten all the connections and see if there are no leaks.
Besides the combustion chamber, you must also clean the air filter. As mentioned, a clogged filter leads to huge plumes of smoke from the stove. Use a vacuum to suck ash and other types of debris stuck in the filter. You can also wash it with warm, soapy water. If the air filter is very dirty, it’s best to replace it. Doing so keeps your appliance operating smoothly without smoke.
If the fumes are coming from your chimney, the problem lies with the exhaust vent. Call a professional to check if the vent is in the correct orientation. If it’s not, you have no choice but to reinstall the exhaust vent. Hire a qualified technician to ensure the job is done right. On the other hand, if the issue is a blockage in the vent, you must clear it immediately. The last thing you want is to cause a fire because of the accumulated smoke from your pellet stove.
Finally, you must take immediate action when dealing with mechanical issues. These can range from a broken exhaust blower to a dirty fuel filter and a clogged fuel line, among other problems. Consult a service professional if you’re unsure how to resolve them. The sooner you fix the issue, the lesser the chances of damaging your pellet stove.
What Should the Flame Look Like in a Pellet Stove?
When the stove is burning pellets, the flame must have a bright orange or yellow color. There should also be a tinge of blue flames above the wooden pellets. These are signs of an efficient fire, which results in little smoke.
However, if you notice black tips on the flame or a darker orange color, the fire isn’t probably burning efficiently. It produces a lot of unburned or incompletely burned pellets, leading to large plumes of smoke blowing into your room.
Conclusion
A pellet stove produces a small amount of smoke when burning wood pellets. This shouldn’t return to the combustion chamber or leak to your room. But if the smoke becomes bigger and blows into your house, you should know that there are several reasons for this. Two of the most common issues include poor wood pellets and a dirty burn pot.
Do you have other questions about pellet stoves? Feel free to visit our contact page and send your concerns!
