Bob I would say you can not add pellets by hand. I assume you are thinking if the power goes off, in which case the blowers would also shut down and if the blowers are off the stove will automatic shut down too. If your asking if just something goes wrong with the auger, my answer would still be no, because the blowers would still be working and if you open the doors to get to the burning chamber hot ash could be blown out the open door and a fire could happen. Being as I have not tried to open the doors to mine while running I would again assume that the stove would automatic shut down or would not allow the door to be opened.