I lit my first coal fire about 4:00 p.m. today. It was a piece of cake. I pretty much followed the advice and links here, as well as what the owner's manual and other internet sources said.
I did put a shovel of small coal pieces on the top of the pile before lighting it, and I also had to fully shut the damper on the back of the stove once my wood fire got going. But other than that, I went by the book!!! My chimney has a killer draw with the MPD fully open.
I think I am really going to like burning coal. I was worried about it being too hot, but it looks like the temps will be easier to control than with wood. Right now the MPD is about fully closed with just a "full moon" on the front damper. The guy from Hitzer suggested I try the MPD closed with only a "half moon"......we'll see, but it feels great in here right now.
Thanks for all of the help.
New Hitzer 254, New to Coal
- Dennis
- Member
- Posts: 1082
- Joined: Sun. Oct. 30, 2011 5:44 pm
- Location: Pottstown,Pa
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: AHS/WOC55-multi-fuel/wood,oil,coal
- Coal Size/Type: Anthracite/stove size
welcome RR, if your using a MPD you should install a manometer to help you control your draft.It will allow you to adjust your MPD for the most effecent draft so all your heat don't go up the chimney and most important that you have enough draft so not to allow any carbonmonoxide to enter the house.
RRboy, congrats on the new 254. I am going to be buying one in a couple weeks as well. I had an old Gibraltar stove at my other house and burned about 4 tons of anthracite a year for 8 years so I'm a coal veteran lol.
My current house is now served by a Hearthstone Heritage woodstove made of soapstone that was left by the former owner. Very pretty to look, at but a total piece of crap for heating. I believe the "yule log" fireplace channel on TV would heat my house better than that Hearthstone. I can't wait to go back to coal, wood heating has been nothing but misery for me.
My current house is now served by a Hearthstone Heritage woodstove made of soapstone that was left by the former owner. Very pretty to look, at but a total piece of crap for heating. I believe the "yule log" fireplace channel on TV would heat my house better than that Hearthstone. I can't wait to go back to coal, wood heating has been nothing but misery for me.
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- Member
- Posts: 6515
- Joined: Sun. Feb. 10, 2008 3:48 pm
- Location: Cape Cod, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
- Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove
The used Hearthstone will get good $$$ used...
Buy some extra coal...
Buy some extra coal...