Clayton / Hot Blast Mods and Tending for Anthracite

Lot of interesting stuff in this thread.
Thanks for sharing all this.

I'm beginning to wonder if I need to be a rocket surgeon or a brain scientist to operate a coal furnace.


Can these furnaces be operated off the shelf without modification and all the gadgets by a schmuck like me?

larryfoster wrote:Lot of interesting stuff in this thread.
Thanks for sharing all this.

I'm beginning to wonder if I need to be a rocket surgeon or a brain scientist to operate a coal furnace.

Can these furnaces be operated off the shelf without modification and all the gadgets by a schmuck like me?

That's funny, I don't care who ya are

I would start with Just puting the insulation under the front liner as lightning said in his first post. That will allow the air to get under your entire fuel bed, which will help with the burn.

I'm currently using 'run of mine' coal also, the fine stuff is the hardest to deal with as it will block the airflow.

Oops, I guess I never did answer your question.

They will work, but can do better as lightning said in his first post.

I'm glad it was funny, Don.
I hoped so because I think I may come across as a bit of butthead and don't really mean to.

Is the Hotblast designed the same as the Clayton to put the insulation in?

Doesn't mean it's not there, just didn't notice it

larryfoster wrote:I'm glad it was funny, Don.
I hoped so because I think I may come across as a bit of butthead and don't really mean to.

Is the Hotblast designed the same as the Clayton to put the insulation in?

Doesn't mean it's not there, just didn't notice it

I think they are almost identical.

Remove the firebrick first, then remove the front plate, cut a piece of insulation(without the paper backing), then reinstall the front liner with the insulation under it. Put the firebrick back in and fire it up.

You can try it without doing this modification, I used mine for several years that way and it worked. But it's working better with that front liner blocked off.

That may be one of those modifications that wait until spring when I'm done with it.

As long as it works as well as it is at this present moment, that is.

I saw in the one video that Lightning oiled the inside of his furnace over the summer.
That sounds like a good idea

larryfoster wrote:That may be one of those modifications that wait until spring when I'm done with it.

As long as it works as well as it is at this present moment, that is.

I saw in the one video that Lightning oiled the inside of his furnace over the summer.
That sounds like a good idea

A very good idea.

Before I forget.

Merry Christmas.

Or Molly Christmas.

larryfoster wrote:I saw in the one video that Lightning oiled the inside of his furnace over the summer.
That sounds like a good idea

The oil works great to protect the interior of the firebox. Just slop it on with a paint brush. I was smarter this year and soaked up the oil that accumulated in the ash pan area with kitty litter. No problem lighting, this time.. I had a bad experience the year before

Scary Experience Lighting the Coal Furnace

Thanks for the tips.
I guess it only makes sense.
Especially in damper basements.

I have to run a dehumidifier in the summer

I sprayed the interior of mine with fluid film, then capped off the stack.

Do you spray only the firebox or the ash box too?

I pull the grate out, firebrick out, and spray everything.

Thanks.
You said "fluid film"

What is that?

The next best thing since sliced bread! Research it, can be used for everything