I think I finally solved my problem. Now I don't think it was fines - I think my combustion blower was on the way out. Bearings started getting really loud about a week or two after my problems. I think it was slowing down and not providing enough air. I replaced the blower and now it's running great! (except when I let it run out of corn this morning...)

I hate it when the corn runs out!

Glad to hear all is good with it, I have been battling air mixture and such constantly this year for some reason. Keeps loading up the burn pot with ash, burning a mixture of pellets/corn/soy beans.

Out of curiosity, what motor did you put in? Was it the new Jackyl style? I don't think they move as much air as the original model that came with my stove. Mine is 01 so you may have had the Jackyl motor to start with. They made a design change somewhere down the line, not sure if it was just the motor of if it was in the blower housing itself.