Sulfur Smell
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i'm getting a sulfur smell this year that I didn't get last year . this is only my second year burning coal . last year I burned kimmels . this year i'm burning coal I got bulk from small time guy no idea where he gets it . using MPD this year not last year . when reloading this year I started just loading coal to top of bricks all at once after shaking . last year I would load coal in layers letting each one catch after shaking . these are the only things I've done different . any ideas why i'm getting sulfur smell ?
- jpete
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Either you aren't burning hot enough or the coal simply has a high sulfur content. I've been burning coal for most of 10 years now and sometimes it's very bad, sometimes not at all. I always get it from the same guy but I have no idea where he gets it.
- freetown fred
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with this crappy HEAVY weather we've been having here--I've been having some sulpher smell outside--it's bad tonight--but the weather is REAL heavy--I don't know what you've got weather wise in NH---I always keep my manual damper 2/3 closed---no fumes inside
- oliver power
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open the manual damper more.....
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smell is in and out at least most of the time . not strong . but noticable . should I open MPD more all the time or just hour or so after fresh load .
- I'm On Fire
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MPD should be left open for several minutes or more after adding a new charge of coal. I don't think its necessary to leave it open for an hour or so.
- coaledsweat
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Leave the MPD open. If the smell goes away, lose the MPD. If it doesn't, try loading your coal like last year.mason coal burner wrote:using MPD this year not last year . when reloading this year I started just loading coal to top of bricks all at once after shaking . last year I would load coal in layers letting each one catch after shaking . these are the only things I've done different . any ideas why i'm getting sulfur smell ?
- freetown fred
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As OP said,if you're getting some inside--open the manual damper & leave it till this cold sets in then shut it some
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By loading coal in a large batch it takes time to get hot enough to burn the gasses, which leads to the smell. You were doing the right thing in loading in layers. When it is colder you can load in larger amounts since the stove will be running hotter. Many will leave the ash door open until blue flames appear before closing the ash door. The major advantage of a hopper in a stove is that the fresh coal will be very hot and near ignition temperature so will ignite gasses quickly.
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I would open the MPD and then I would shake the stove down. Next, I would add the coal in layers like you did last year. Give it a little time to catch good and you see the blue ladies and you know that the gases are being burned off. Now when you have a good fire going you can cut back on the MPD about 3/4 closed and see if there is a difference. Some stoves seem to get choked out when you fill them up quickly in one shot. You will have to experiment with the timing when to close your MPD 3/4' s of the way.
if you're getting sulfur smell in the house consider that an indicator of a problem, not THE problem. the loading/sulfur content of the coal isn't the issue, the flue gasses entering the home are, be thankful you can smell it. lose the MPD
- oliver power
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I too am not a fan of MPD's in pipe when burning coal. Barometric damper I can see. But not a manual pipe damper, in a modern air tight coal stove.Berlin wrote:if you're getting sulfur smell in the house consider that an indicator of a problem, not THE problem. the loading/sulfur content of the coal isn't the issue, the flue gasses entering the home are, be thankful you can smell it. lose the MPD