PELLET STOVE FLUE GAS PROBE: FAULTS AND SOLUTIONS
Despite proper maintenance and cleaning, the pellet stove may experience some failures over time.
For this reason, the latest generation models have self-diagnosis systems that allow you to immediately identify any anomalies, thanks to the appearance of error codes to which one of the many possible malfunctions is associated.
The error code, or alarm, consists of acoustic signals emitted by the stove, which are followed by its immediate shutdown.
One of the problems that can be encountered concerns the smoke probe, so let’s see what to do when the pellet stove smoke probe alarm occurs.
WHAT IS THE PELLET STOVE FLUE GAS PROBE AND HOW DOES IT WORK
The flue gas probe in the pellet stove is located exactly in the smoke outlet duct because it has the function of reading the outlet temperature, providing the electronic control unit with the data necessary to put the various phases of the stove into action or not.
PELLET STOVE SMOKE PROBE ALARM
When the pellet stove goes into alarm or error , it means that there are anomalies and malfunctions in the appliance.
Usually, if the flue gas probe has a fault, the word FUMI PROBE appears on the display; while if the flue gas probe reaches an abnormal temperature compared to the normal temperature (which corresponds to a fixed and non-modifiable value), the message HOT FUMI will appear on the display. Whatever the problem, the pellet stove will go alarm and shut off.
These are general indications, as the error codes may change from stove to stove: the pellet stove smoke error code will be composed, in fact, of a different alphanumeric symbol depending on the stove model and the brand.
Pellet stove smoke probe alarm: what to do
Whatever the mistake or breakdown, DIY should be avoided. When the alarm for the smoke probe appears, reset the pellet stove by pressing the On/Off button and contact a qualified technician to check the appliance and check the components. The technician will also clean the stove, in order to drain the smoke that clogs the pipes.
PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FLUE GAS PROBE MALFUNCTION
When anomalies occur in the flue gas probe of the pellet stove, the appliance can manifest various problems and several possible failures, such as:
- dirty and blackened glass;
- the clogged smoke exhaust pipe, i.e. it does not allow the air from the combustion chamber outside the house to pass easily through the flue;
- Poor positioning of the smoke probe, it can be placed too low and not be able to perceive the ambient temperature or it can be positioned near a passage point, reading a different temperature due to the air vortices that are created.
MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING OF PELLET STOVE FLUE GAS PROBE
Accumulated dirt and incorrect smoke leakage could cause the temperature to rise too high and, therefore, block the correct operation of the pellet stove. Therefore, it can be helpful to know how to clean the flue gas probe.
How to clean pellet stove flue probe
Accumulated dirt and incorrect smoke leakage could cause the temperature to rise too high and, therefore, cause the stove to turn off. For this reason, maintenance operations on the flue gas ducts and therefore also on the probe should be carried out regularly, in order to keep them clean, swept and controlled at all times.
How to replace the pellet stove flue probe
When the pellet stove goes into alarm and the problem comes from the flue gas probe, sometimes cleaning alone may not be enough, but it may instead be a real failure: for example, the probe may be damaged or worn. In this case, it should be replaced.
To replace the flue gas probe, it is always advisable to contact an authorized technician to avoid further problems.
The operations must be carried out by an experienced technician, in accordance with local regulations and according to the instructions of the pellet stove manufacturer. The expert will also have to issue a certificate attesting to the conformity of the system and that it is safe.
