Stove Coal Issues

Hello all,

Have been burning coal for just over 4 years and have always stuck to nut size. With the cold snap this weekend, I picked up 1/2 ton of stove size on Tuesday to try. Not overly happy with it, maybe you guys can help .

Seems to actually burn COLDER than the nut did. Both from the same dealer, but I guess it's always possible they're from different breakers. Even running my primary air @ 1/2 open, the stack temp still won't exceed 200° (can exceed that with 1/3 air on nut coal). I've been under the impression that the larger coal would burn hotter, but for shorter time. Is it something I'm doing wrong, or bad coal?

For the record, most chunks are more like egg size or larger (5-6" rectangles average I'd say).

Any help appreciated, thanks!

P.S. - Also takes a long time to reach temp, can leave the primary wide open for over an hour and not over fire...

Joe

JS, I run a mix of Nut/Stove with outstanding results. My thoughts were I would have exactly the results you are experiencing with straight Stove. That stove of yours recommends Nut I believe as does my HITZER--a LITTLE mod. is always worth a shot-- Hotter for a shorter time???? just the opposite in my world!

What size is the firebox in your stove?

Thanks for the quick responses guys .

Rob R. wrote:What size is the firebox in your stove?

Don't have exact dimensions, working til this afternoon. I'd guess 24x14 or so? Here is a pic I had from when we first cleaned her out and lit up:



Thanks,

Joe

Maybe it is too chunky, mix a little nut with it until you get a handle on what makes it happy. Probably needs more air than what you are used too.

coaledsweat wrote:Maybe it is too chunky, mix a little nut with it until you get a handle on what makes it happy. Probably needs more air than what you are used too.

Thanks. So maybe try with the primary fully open? Have never burned like that for an extended time, was always nervous about over firing. Guess if it needs it though I'll try it, nothing to lose right?

Thanks,

Joe

jschaefer7406 wrote:

coaledsweat wrote:Maybe it is too chunky, mix a little nut with it until you get a handle on what makes it happy. Probably needs more air than what you are used too.

Thanks. So maybe try with the primary fully open? Have never burned like that for an extended time, was always nervous about over firing. Guess if it needs it though I'll try it, nothing to lose right?

Thanks,

Joe

Fully open sounds extreme, and could result in overheating and burning the house down. Try moderation first.

You could break up the 'egg/stove a little to try that also. I have never burned anything bigger than stove, but there sure is a lot of room for air around those big pieces. Try a few blows from a friendly sledge hammer (after you cover it...no eye injuries, please) and then load the entire blend into the beast. Lets you take out your frustrations on the coal, too!

Extreme indeed!!! PS, hate to say this but--it's you, NOT the coal

I would not attempt to resize your coal unless you plan on a blackface stage show later in the day. Just mix some (don't over do it) nut in there to close up some gaps and give it almost double the air. Watch it and see how it responds and then you can make adjustments based on its reaction to the changes.

Just reread the OP, that is big coal!

freetown fred wrote:Extreme indeed!!! PS, hate to say this but--it's you, NOT the coal

Fred,

Not saying it ISN'T something I'm doing, that's what I'm here to find out. We're all learning, right?

Did try smashing some up last night and still had to run it with the primary fully open for ~2 hours just to reach 200° stack temp. Usually can exceed 300-400° after only 20-30 minutes with nut. That's what makes we wonder if its the coal itself. Again, same supplier. Maybe different source though?

Behaves like a draft issue, but the manometer hasn't moved off of .05-.06"...

Ordinarily, I'd agree that fully open is extreme (hence why I mentioned I have never run it that way before). This stuff burns so cold though that it may be what it takes. Don't worry, not going to burn the house down. I like to do experiments only when I'm home to monitor for several hours after adjustment .

Thanks guys,

Joe

Joe, unless you have a kick ass BED of RED HOT coal, that Stove size is almost impossible to get going--like suggested, get a few bags of nut, mix & have at it:) PS--I'd get a couple bags of self light charcoal & basically start from scratch.

5-6" chunks are too large to burn well by themselves in your unit. Lots of air comes up through the gaps...more than is needed for combustion. Next time you reload the stove put down a layer of the big pieces and top it off with nut.

Thanks for the advice guys, will give that a shot.

Joe

I get nut and stove mixed at the breaker. They don't mix it, I just have them load alternating layers. I get it early in the season so that I don't get people upset waiting in line. Works very well for me.