Wood guy,

Thanks for the info, sounds like maybe I need to lower my expectations regarding frequency of cleaning.

I am going to experiment with the draft and intake air damper setting and see what the results are for cleaning frequency.

Going to try the picture posting thing. If it works, this is the interior of my vent pipe after burning about 25 bags of corn.

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GeMH0mUtBe5tbsb8IQmUcPfTJSF3d5YOwseKFWVkWfI?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JiRHDwMCj7U/TuDhgVq6m5I/AAAAAAAAARo/Zfz7FLjqxWU/s144/2011-12-04_10-48-55_626.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=stew0620&target=ALBUM&id=5634534654117397633&feat=embedwebsite"></a></td></tr></table>

Slow day at work so I read through all 7 St. Croix pages on the old forum. Lots of info there. I found the pics of the cutaway view showing cleaning of the hidden passages using a flexible wire on a drill. Very helpful. I will do this over the weekend and see how much stuff has accumulated there. Probably lots...

I have to admit that I only clean my Auburn 2 or 3 times a year
I am very pleased with the burn and don't get much fine ash in the hidden zone.
I rarely shut the stove off.

Just a thought, They vary the draft for the different settings by varying the voltage to the combustion motor. Check your electric connections to the motor. If you have a volt meter check the voltage and see if it is appropriate.

I can not remember if the owners manual lists the voltage spec or not. I did download the dealer diagnostic manual off the eventemp site when I bought my first stove and it listed all the voltages. I not at home right now so I don't have access to them, but can tonight if you need.

If the combustion fan doe not draw enough you will not have a good vacuum until you turn the draft damper way down. Though you burn did not look too bad.

These St.Croix's can go a couple of years with out cleaning before those channels are plugged, many customers have proven it to me!
Did the dealer you bought the stove from not preburn your stove?
Take the burn pot apart, check that there is not a large weld at the bottom of the burn pot restricting the bottom of the pot (ash dump plate)sitting tight against the burn pot when pushed all the way in. I have seen a couple that the bottom of the burn pot would not sit tight to the back causing issues with the stove burning properly. I just used a grinder to remove the weld and then the bottom of the pot sits tight against the burn pot.

My Greenfield stove runs fine with the damper almost closed...my pellet stove has been set to run with the damper open the width of a pencil and hasn't been moved is six years.

I've had trouble with this used stove since I bought it last fall...I finally changed the door and ash pan gaskets and it seems to have done the trick...