Fast and Simple Anthracite Fire Starting

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:00 pm

So. The conventional way to start an anthracite fire is with kindling wood and then layering coal, letting each layer catch before adding the next. I decided to try something a little different and had fantastic success starting a new fire this year. So here is what I did.

I put a mound of Match Light charcoal the whole length of the grate.
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Then supported the sides of the mound with anthracite
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Then piled on 83 pounds of coal, before lighting it!
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Then, with a propane torch I lit the charcoal thru the bottom of the grate. In about 10 minutes the fire started to migrate towards the center of the fuel bed
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And smoke was rolling on top
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Shortly afterward flames protruded the top of the fuel bed and a strong orange glow underneath
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Another short time later, the fire was well established and I set the primary air for cruise.
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This was by far the easiest and fastest procedure I've ever used for my first fire! Here's a list of observations starting at 4:15 when she was lit.

8 pounds of match lite
83 pounds of coal on top

415 lit
422 migrating towards the center
430 anthracite popping
charcoal burning front - center
435 charcoal lit center - back
flame protruding top
445 several flames at top
450 red glow at back under grates
455 glowing coals at top of fire
500 convection blower on
505 fire well established at top
510 ash door closed
515 anthracite burning handsomely
primary air set
two beers drank

Also, love the new fire view window, I couldn't stop watching lol.

Start to finish, one hour.


 
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SawDustJack
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Post by SawDustJack » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:23 pm

Nice! I think I will try something similar to this. I typically use the traditional method for starting but I might have to pick up a bag of the match lite and give it a shot. I am hoping that might help keep my glass cleaner as well. I like seeing the fire too!
Seeing this post makes me want to start it up, but the 70 degree temp right now with windows open suggests I should wait...

 
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michaelanthony
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Post by michaelanthony » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:33 pm

Yup, been using match-lite and or cowboy charcoal for years, (thanks SMITTY!)...the one way to speed things up is to lite the match-lite first then start shoveling anthracite.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:35 pm

Has worked well with stove or nut/stove mix (maybe)--not so much straight nut or smaller--adding coal slowly does the trick with those--over-all time--15-20 minutes.
Last edited by freetown fred on Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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StokerDon
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Post by StokerDon » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:36 pm

Nicely done Lee!

That fire view door is a thing of beauty.

-Don

 
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Post by warminmn » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:38 pm

I started reading your post Lightning and thought of asking how many beers but you answered that already!:lol:

I must be lucky as I just dont have any trouble lighting my stoves with wood that many here have. I'll be lighting up Friday or Saturday for the year. Ive been using up some propane I bought in 2004 this fall.

Thanks for sharing your recipe for lighting up!

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:48 pm

Here's what I used, I bought a 15 pound bag and used half. I know many use the Match Light charcoal but I haven't seen anyone report on lighting a full charge at once. Oh! And no mess on the glass at all!
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The house is rather warm now, 77 degrees. Tonight down to 41 and high of only mid 40s tomorrow. I've grown tired of lighting the wood pellet stove at night and watching the meter whirl with the electric heater. Besides, I'm preheating DHW and keeping the hot tub warm too. :D


 
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Logs
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Post by Logs » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 8:34 pm

The charcoal is the way to go. I bought these small bags at the dollar store last week 3 bucks a bag , end of season sale. I put it in the chubby and lit the bag , about 10 min later charcoal was glowing and started adding coal . The Chubby has been keeping the place nice and toasty. Very impressive lighting 83 pounds that quickly. 83 pounds is a heck of a pile of coal. How long does that last you before a refill?

 
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Post by franco b » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 9:05 pm

Somehow I missed you making that fire view door. Nice job.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 10:32 pm

franco b wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 9:05 pm
Somehow I missed you making that fire view door. Nice job.
Thank you Richard! I didn't start a new thread for it, I added the project to this thread with the first window.
Load Door Window Installation
Logs wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 8:34 pm
Very impressive lighting 83 pounds that quickly. 83 pounds is a heck of a pile of coal. How long does that last you before a refill?
It takes a lot of coal for the first fire. I actually just shook out the charcoal ashes and added another 25 pounds of coal. Then I used 10 more pounds of fines to "blanket" the fuel bed (a technique I use for warm weather burning to keep the fuel bed healthy). So in total 83+25+10=118 pounds. My fire always has at least 100 pounds in it. Tomorrow I'll shake and probably add 35-40 pounds to it, which will be plenty for 24 hours at these mild temps (40-45 degrees). As far as "how long it will burn" is dependent on outside temps. Last spring I had a 66 hour burn with no tending whatsoever and was able to shake ash and get another charge burning.
warminmn wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:38 pm
I started reading your post Lightning and thought of asking how many beers but you answered that already!:
yes sir, I always celebrate the first fire of the season with a couple beers while its igniting :D
StokerDon wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:36 pm
Nicely done Lee!
That fire view door is a thing of beauty.
Thanks Don, it was hard to get away from it lol.

freetown fred wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:35 pm
Has worked well with stove or nut/stove mix (maybe)--not so much straight nut or smaller--adding coal slowly does the trick with those--over-all time--15-20 minutes.
I usually spend close to a couple hours with kindling wood and layering.
This cut fire up time in half.

Thank you for all the replies and kind words about the new window.
Much appreciated! ;)

 
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Post by Hambden Bob » Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 10:40 pm

Major Conflatulations,Lee !! You have created yet another New Model of what We here in 'Der Nertheast Ohio like to call an "Amish TV" !! Happy Viewing,and Nice Launch,Breadman !!

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Oct. 25, 2017 9:01 am

Amish TV hahaha!
Love that :lol:

Thanks Bob!

 
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Post by CorrosionMan » Wed. Oct. 25, 2017 11:21 am

Good job. Yea, IMO, charcoal is the easiest way to start.
Only thing with your method, I'd be concerned with puff backs (at least with my 82FA). But if that works with yours... good.

Using a similar method as yours (bust I add one layer of coal at a time, 3 total) it takes me 1:20 to add 120lbs-140lbs.

Any award for lbs added per hour?

Sorry for any typos.. Dang phone is hard to type on, good thing the beer makes it easier.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Wed. Oct. 25, 2017 11:25 am

Yes, absolutely a valid concern. To ward off any puff back potential I kept the load door cracked open a smidgen and had the secondary air wide open, just until a flame poked up thru the top.

 
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Post by KingCoal » Wed. Oct. 25, 2017 2:31 pm

Lightning wrote:
Tue. Oct. 24, 2017 7:48 pm
Here's what I used, I bought a 15 pound bag and used half. I know many use the Match Light charcoal but I haven't seen anyone report on lighting a full charge at once. Oh! And no mess on the glass at all!

20171024_164638.jpg

The house is rather warm now, 77 degrees. Tonight down to 41 and high of only mid 40s tomorrow. I've grown tired of lighting the wood pellet stove at night and watching the meter whirl with the electric heater. Besides, I'm preheating DHW and keeping the hot tub warm too. :D
i've been lighting up with matchlight then chunk char. then big layers of anth. the last 2 yrs.

i have not tried to light a full pot at once yet. i'm going to PA Friday and coming home Sunday and will need to get the stove going ASAP when i get in, this looks like a good way to go.

thanks,
steve


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