Coalpail.com Forum

I have been testing my stove with bags of Reading Anthracite which I could only describe as a mix of sizes. My first question is about quality. I have been trying to obtain an overnight burn, and every time I check in the morning I am left with a fire pit almost as full as I filled it with intact ash (shape of coal - mostly breaks up easily). I am just wondering if that is normal, I was expecting an ash pile on the grate. I am also lost as to what size coal to buy. I have seen so many different views online. My main objective with this stove is to burn overnight. I am now getting 6 + hours with the mixed bag. I need 8 - 9. I have read to use stove. Stove mixed with nut, nut, nut mixed with pea. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I love the heat I am getting now - one foot up the flue stayed between 250 to 325, and with the reclaimer the heat was overwhelming. I just want to take it down to the point that I won't have to relight all winter. I would love to be able to be able to have enough of a fire to refill at 9 hours. Thanks everyone.

Coal Quality From Various Sources

Ditch the Reading. Try to get some Blaschak and try it out. Where are you located?

I am in Frackville, PA. Going to go with Blashock. I just didn't build a bin yet. Is the whole ash thing normal? What about size? Thanks.

It is possible that with the current mild temperatures, your chimney draft isn't sufficient to maintain a low fire in the stove.

Once the coal starts to burn down and you aren't sending as much heat up the chimney, the fire can go out.

Thanks for the info. Still trying to figure out what size to use. I would have thought stove would last longest, but I just read a post stating that it burns quickest. I would really like to order soon (sick of these $8 Reading bags). Thank you.

For the longest burn, you want the most restricted air flow through the coal bed,, that would be smaller coal pieces, smaller air passageways, so Pea coal will burn the longest.. Nut next then stove the hottest and quickest..

I'd buy nut and Pea.. you may find that you want to have a hot fire of nut coal in the evenings, and top the fire off with pea to slow the fire down and make it last longer overnight.. it is a technique that many use, but it doesn't work for everyone, and not every stove needs this method, a good airtight newer stove can control the burn rate and temp with the air controls..and doesn't need to resort to different size coal.

Greg L

A little help please. Thanks about the coal size. I will order nut and pea. As to my fire going out. I left my damper open (was closing it before) last night, and still woke to partially burned coal. The fire pit is almost full, and all the coals are partially burned I guess. The coals are intact. White, orange,tan ash on outside, and if you break one apart by hand there is usually coal left inside. A post mentioned draft so I left damper open. I know I have a good draft. 20 some foot chimney. Live on a hill. Always hear a swish sound of air when near flue when stove isn't lit. Thanks.

Joe, try some coal from Blaschak, I'm betting you will burn it to a fine powder.. Buy a few bags of nut size and try it.. My experienc with Reading is like yours, hard chunky ash with a black center.

Greg L