Show us your Ash

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Wed. Dec. 01, 2021 11:19 am

Operating temps and firebed size seems to be one of the factors of how the ash turns out looking.

I burn the same bulk nut coal in both my stoves, but the ash looks very different in each.

Both stoves have new cast refractory firebrick liners.

The GW #6 has a larger, deeper firebed. The ash is chunkier, with a lot of chunks of iron slag. If I run it real slow on warmer days the ash gets finer and no iron slag chunks.

The kitchen range has a smaller, shallower firebed. More fine ash with less chunks and iron slag chunks are rare and smaller than what shows up in the GW#6 ash.

No matter what brand of coal I've used, Blaschak, Lehigh, or Tractor Supply's Kimmels, Contractor's, or Premium brands, there is always that difference between the ash from the stoves.

Paul

Hoytman · Post by **Hoytman** » Wed. Dec. 01, 2021 11:39 am

I discovered the same thing, Paul. Seems the harder I run the stove the more pink the ash looks and it’s chunkier as well. I also get a few small clinkers running hotter, not always but on occasion do I get them running hotter. About quarter size and only a few.

I have to wonder if there’s an advantage running a larger stove lower, than say a 30-95 would need to run in this house? I mean as far is burning to coal more complete.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Wed. Dec. 01, 2021 11:48 am

Having a stove that is big enough that it can be run slower seems to be the best way. Finer, more completely burned ash that is easier to clear, with fewer or no clinkers. No firebed bridging, so no need to poke the firebed down, which can also cause clinkers. Plus, less heat stress on grates for longer service life.

Paul

ReidH · Post by **ReidH** » Thu. Dec. 02, 2021 9:20 pm

Hello All,
The ash from my Heartland oval is in the chunky side.

It has a deep bed of coals for a range. About 12 inches.
There are three triangular grate bars. Each bar is shaken individually.
There may be less grinding happening with that layout.

Reid

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Thu. Dec. 02, 2021 9:35 pm

ReidH wrote: ↑
Thu. Dec. 02, 2021 9:20 pm
Hello All,
The ash from my Heartland oval is in the chunky side.

It has a deep bed of coals for a range. About 12 inches.
There are three triangular grate bars. Each bar is shaken individually.
There may be less grinding happening with that layout.

Reid

Looks like the ash from my GW #6, which also has a 12 inch deep firebed. And that's about as small as the geared pairs of triangular grates grind it.

Paul

Paul

Show us your Ash

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