Coalpail.com Forum

I hope to start my first ever coal fire this weekend with my 30-95. What items do you feel are essential to start and maintain the fire? Obviously I need a coal shovel and some sort of bucket, but what else? Do you use the same shovel to smooth out the coal or is there something different/better to use? Curious as to what you guys use. Thanks.

F, the most important tool of all is "common sense"!!!! .>)

I know, I know. Just wanted to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before I jump in.

Coal scoop, ash scoop to help clean out whatever misses the pan, and a long/thin poke to help get the ash out of the corners.

LOL---indeed F-regular fireplace shovel--coal hod & a poker of sorts-- one straight & one with 90* on end. Whisk broom to make sure no crumbs get under hopper door

A comfortable chair is essential... Those blue ladies are mesmerizing.

Manometer, smoke and CO detectors.

Nobody has said beer yet? Welding gloves that dont have holes like mine do would be nice. A vacuum that doesnt leak dust when using is helpful also but is not 100% needed.

Thanks. I had a little list started but things like welding gloves, broom, vacuum etc. I never thought of. Beer was on the list.

fpappal wrote: ↑

Mon. Mar. 01, 2021 12:13 pm

Thanks. I had a little list started but things like welding gloves, Beer was on the list.

Gloves are required when using beer. They are great for when you are half asleep too. I make it a habit to wear them if the load door is going to be opened now. Your hands and arms will thank you.

HandFire,, that is an AWESOME fire picture in your avatar.

if you decide to use a shop vac around the stove in the house be sure to get and use drywall bags, nothing will irritate you more than sucking up dust around the stove and turning around to find it all in the air behind you.

steve

I never sweep up anything hot from my stove...especially big particles...just dust.

I use HEPA filters in my shop-vac, BUT I take one extra step.

My stove is 12ft from the front door, so my 6.5HP vacuum stays outside 24/7 and I bought some extra length of hose to go the distance...the smaller automotive detailing hose kits for your vacuum work real nice. Stove remains outside when I am using it while the hose is run inside through a slightly open door. All hose joints are taped with black electrical tape. Only fly ash in my house is what escapes from the doors when I open them...and if I let the fire build up more than I do I likely wouldn't have that issue. I mainly use the vacuum once every couple of weeks to remove any left over ash on top of the stove/stove pipe and ash lip, which isn't much at all. Let me tell you...when it comes time to completely clean the stove having that vacuum outside while it is turned on is real nice. Stove is cleaned in a jiffy. I just used my old shop-vac for this very purpose when I started burning coal last season and just made an effort to keep that vac for that purpose and other nasty purposes, like cleaning out the cistern, etc. I bought a new vacuum for the garage.

I do have the rebar now to make me a tool with a 90* bend on the end, and I always have two pairs of gloves on the hearth. One pair to put on, the other to add thickness to those I am wearing by simply using them as extra padding for when removing the ash pan. Sometimes that booger is hot...and my little light pair of goat skin gloves I use to put on my hands aren't quite thick enough alone for grabbing that pan.



Here's another tool for lighting a stove that comes in handy...

Propane torch...handheld model with a trigger ignition is nice and handy.

Orrrr F, ya can complicate the hell out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Ha Ha! Funny Fred!

With the stove thats going to be used you arent going to need many gadgets or tools. If you have trouble with draft or the stove going out or running too hot then we will have a long list of things you need

Hoyt, I like the long vacuum hose trick. That would work with my setup if I ever need to do it. I use a late 1950s canister vacuum with a cloth bag and Ive never seen dust come out of it, YET! I dont suck in anything hot. Its just a couple times a year thing.

coaledsweat wrote: ↑

Mon. Mar. 01, 2021 10:21 am

Manometer, smoke and CO detectors.

These first. Then beer. Then chair. Oh, and a cozy. Coal is hot beer should be cold. Unless you're German, so I've been told.