Is this what a coal fire looks like?

 
fpappal
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 30-95
Coal Size/Type: Anthracite/nut

Post by fpappal » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 12:43 pm

I am almost 2 hours into my first fire on my hitzer 30-95. The coal lit well, nice orange flames, I added a layer at a time till I got close to hopper. Filled hopper and left it alone. With rear draft door all the way open and ash door vents open stove temp was 450 and coals glowing bright red. I closed ash door vents and turned draft unit to 7 which is half way. Coals on bottom are still red, coal on top is black and not burning. Stove temp is now 360.
Manometer is .04. 20 degrees outside.

Is this normal? Should more of the coal be glowing?

Thanks.

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artbaldoni
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Post by artbaldoni » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 12:47 pm

Is the back flap open at all?

 
fpappal
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Post by fpappal » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:06 pm

Just a little bit.

 
fpappal
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Post by fpappal » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:08 pm

Since I wrote that post half hour ago temp is up to 396 and coals seem a bit brighter. I had the blower turned on before and it is now off. Does the blower change how the coal burns?

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:12 pm

What rear draft door????

 
fpappal
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Post by fpappal » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:34 pm

My hitzer has a box on the back that opens and closes a flap to allow oxygen in. There is a little dial that you turn to get a hotter or cooler fire. Hitzer recommends starting in the middle after the fire is established and making adjustments from there.

 
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Lightning
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Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite

Post by Lightning » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 2:09 pm

It depends on how much heat you want out of it. Sometimes the fire might look hot with flames and red coals... at other times it may look like it's sleeping with no show of anything glowing and no fire although it's still alive underneath.


 
Toddburn
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Post by Toddburn » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 2:31 pm

fpappal wrote:
Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:08 pm
Since I wrote that post half hour ago temp is up to 396 and coals seem a bit brighter. I had the blower turned on before and it is now off. Does the blower change how the coal burns?
No blower doesn’t change a thing with the fire. 400 degrees and brighter burning coal sounds good.

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 6:49 pm

hitzer 30-95 Bi-Metalic...
Perfectly normal...
Coal is much different than wood...
It can go to sleep, hibernate if you will...
You may just barely see any orange...
In the spring I will let the stove ash up during the day...
Then wake it for night...
If you saw my stove in the spring there would be no orange visible at all...
The stove body would be down to 200*...
You would think it was out...

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 7:57 pm

Ahhhhh, bi-metallic thermostat. Gottcha
fpappal wrote:
Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:34 pm
My hitzer has a box on the back that opens and closes a flap to allow oxygen in. There is a little dial that you turn to get a hotter or cooler fire. Hitzer recommends starting in the middle after the fire is established and making adjustments from there.

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 8:46 pm

So, things even out?

 
Hoytman
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Post by Hoytman » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 8:53 pm

fpappal wrote:
Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 1:06 pm
Just a little bit.
Open 1/16”, 1/8”, 1/4”, etc.?

If open just a little, then pay attention to when it closed and when it does, if you have a way to take an indoor temp reading, then take that reading now.

Is the reading comfortable to you??? Do you want more heat or less??? Ask yourself. It’s only important to us so these guys can help guide you what to do next. If the room is comfortable when it closes, then do nothing. You got lucky and you’re good to go.

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Sat. Mar. 06, 2021 9:30 pm

Fill the firebox to the top of the back bricks...
Sloping down to the front, lower bricks...
You will not smother it...

 
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Rich W.
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Post by Rich W. » Mon. Mar. 08, 2021 9:19 pm

Keep in mind that the reaction time to changes in your settings is quite long. On the other hand, once your changes have achieved the desired result, the result will last a long time!

 
lee192233
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Post by lee192233 » Tue. Mar. 09, 2021 2:32 pm

This is a different beast than yours but here are some pictures.
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Idle fire
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Revved up after a heat call
Sorry for the sideways pics.
Lee


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