Common Problems with Englander Pellet Stoves

England’s Stove Works has been making pellet stoves since 1990 and is probably the most common pellet stove on the market. The reason is simple, for nearly 10 years, the only pellet stove sold at Home Depot was an Englander and the only stove sold at Lowe’s was a Summers Heat, both identical and both made here is the U.S. by England’s Stove Works. They made a big one and small one, each used double augers to feed the pellets, each simply crafted out of stamped steel, each as ugly as the other but they were simple economy styles stoves that fit the bill and could be had for around $1000 bucks. Here’s what happens to them frequently and how to fix it.

Combustion blower makes a loud “Ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra” sound.

This happens when the exhaust blower motor casing becomes loose. On the outer edge of the casing, there is a bearing. Over time as the motor gets hot the metal casing covering the motor and holding the bearing expands with the heat during operation and becomes “loose” from the motor mounts, which are four crimped areas around the casing. Sometimes you can hammer the crimps tight again using a flat head screwdriver and a hammer. Eventually, you will have to replace the motor altogether.

E1 code followed by an E2 code at or during startup.

On the top or the back of the combustion blower manifold, there is a hose connected to the pressure switch. This hose is made of low-temperature silicon. Over time, the hose dries out where it connects to the manifold and becomes brittle. Air will leak around the hose and the pressure switches contacts will open and never close causing the error code. This hose is longer than it needs to be and can be cut a few times. Simply cut off about an inch or somewhere up the hose to a point that’s not brittle and reinsert the hose back on the barb. Eventually, the hose will need to be replaced. If this does not solve the problem, make sure your venting is free and clear; verify that the combustion blower is spinning…if both are true, then replace the vacuum switch.

Lower auger motor is not turning.

If you find that the lower auger motor is not turning, swap the wires from the lower auger to the upper auger and turn the stove on again. If the top motor turns your controller is good. Next, inspect the white plastic around the motor coil of the lower auger motor. If it is yellowish brown, replace the motor. The lower auger motor is a very common problem with these stoves. It usually only lasts 4-6 years or less in some circumstances. Inside the stove, where the pellets come out of the tube, make sure that carbon is not allowed to gather around the bottom edge of the feeder tube, this causes stress on the auger motor and will burn it out prematurely.

Pellet stove will not ignite but the igniter is glowing orange.

There is a gasket behind the burn pot inside the stove that seals the burn pot against the refractory wall. Under the front ash lip beneath the front door are two ½” hex bolts. Tighten each bolt as snug as you can to drive the burn pot backward and compress the gasket. The stove should ignite now. If it doesn’t, replace the gasket. If your burn pot is warped in the back (not flat) double up on the gaskets and tighten the burn pot down.

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Comments

JIm Egan - January 12, 2020
I’ve had my Englander since 2004. I’ve not had one issue with it. I’ve run it 24/7 as my only heat source for the winter months ever since. I like it so much, I bought a used one for my garage for $300.

Wayne From Maine - November 13, 2019
Bought my Englander stove new in 2004 at a Ace hardware Was made in 2002?
15 years still running . Have replaced two exaust motors an on the second fresh air motor. Replaced all the gaskets this past summer. Original augers an bearings.

Lloyd Houghtalinh - November 13, 2019
I have an England pellet stove and I know every square inch of it. Here’s my advice if you don’t have the ability to work and understand the unit don’t get one they do have some issues. You may get to know your repair man real well.

John B - February 26, 2019
Had the stove for several years.
Only 1 major issue – the augur broke. Had it welded. Works fine.

Latest minor issue – smoky sooty lazy fire with too many pellets filling the burn pot.
Called Englander for support. They gave me things to try – nothing worked.
I rechecked the augur and found that it was sloppy in the fit to the augur motor.
I installed a washer to fill the space and voila! Hot fire without extra pellets entering the burn pot.

Mike - February 5, 2019
We bought this at home Depot and had to only replace the exnighter under warranty once first year. 2 1/2 tons first year. It pad for it self first year. Keeps the house at 75. We had this 5 years now and it’s been great. This year we are now in Sub zero weather and running around the clock with no problems, keeping the house 72 to 74. I will tell you buy a battery drill and wire brush for it and a vacuum cleaner steel canister one. Clean the pellet stove and carbon out Everytime 15 minutes Everytime. And burn good pellets like stove chow or turman hard wood pellets. The key to any pellet stove is cleaning it.

John - February 1, 2019
Purchased in 2017 from the home depot. It seemed to work okay for a few months. Then it started having trouble. Constantly showing the E2 Code during start up. It’s terrible. Do not buy unless you want to constantly be getting your hands dirty reading internet blogs and trying to troubleshoot this stupid thing.

Ron - February 1, 2019
Stove was great first year after that have replaced both auger motors, an auger, the board and igniter and now the upper auger turns but isn’t feeding pellets to lower auger. This thing has been a nightmare. If you know how to fix current problem, plz advise

STEVEN A KOLLER - February 1, 2019
Bought mine new in 2000. Had to replace a auger motor a couple times ,other than that it works great. Run it 24/7 All winter. We love it.

STEVEN A KOLLER - May 12, 2019
Bought mine new in 2000. Had to replace a auger motor a couple times ,other than that it works great. Run it 24/7 All winter. We love it.

Monica - February 1, 2019
My Englander Stove is only 3 years old and we have had nothing but trouble with it!! I had a guy that works on Englander stoves he last year, but again We’re having trouble. We have replaced upper auger, vacuum switch, convection blower, gaskets, panel board and it still sucks!! We have one in our garage that’s almost 30 years old and still runs perfect. We have only replaced a little fin. This summer we will be putting that one back in our basement. We won’t ever buy one of the new stoves again. Too many electronics on them.

Common Problems with Englander Pellet Stoves

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