Need Help
- fishhunter
- Member
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Wed. Aug. 27, 2008 9:02 pm
- Location: BROOKFIELD MA
i am new to this coal burning thing and have a pretty odd question. I cannot get coal to burn. I bought some of those bagged firestarters and tried 2 tonight to light for my first time (stove came with house I just bought) it burned and got hot until the firestarter had burned out and that was it what is the proper way to use a firestarter when lighting a stoker?
- coaledsweat
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 13763
- Joined: Fri. Oct. 27, 2006 2:05 pm
- Location: Guilford, Connecticut
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260M
- Coal Size/Type: Pea
Some details about your unit would help. There are a variety of stokers, each has its quirks. Coal is a little grumpy at first, but once you get to know it you will fall in love. Post up what you have, someone with a similar appliance will give you the lowdown for it.
- fishhunter
- Member
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Wed. Aug. 27, 2008 9:02 pm
- Location: BROOKFIELD MA
i have an alaska channing III. looks to be quite new.
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
Tell us about the coal you have...size, where it came from, etc.
And yes, it is hard to light at first. A few pointers here and some practice and you'll be a pro in no time.
Lighting a Stoker
And yes, it is hard to light at first. A few pointers here and some practice and you'll be a pro in no time.
Lighting a Stoker
- fishhunter
- Member
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Wed. Aug. 27, 2008 9:02 pm
- Location: BROOKFIELD MA
the coal I am using now came from peoples coal.bought from agway it came in the garage with the house. I just ordered 3 ton from my dealer and he would not say where it came from.the dealer is CSM in monson,ma .
it is rice coal.
do I cover the bag starter with coal or surround it? I bought a dozen of those bag starters and thought they would last the year not tonight!
it is rice coal.
do I cover the bag starter with coal or surround it? I bought a dozen of those bag starters and thought they would last the year not tonight!
- CoalHeat
- Member
- Posts: 8862
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
- Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
- Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
- Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
- Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert
In Stroudsburg?the coal I am using now came from peoples coal.
I seem to have pretty good luck using the starter bags, others like the mice better. When I'm lighting up I put a small layer of coal on the grate towards the back of the burn area, place the bag on top of the coal and put a little coal on top of the bag. I use a propane torch to start the bag just so I can light all around the bag without keeping door open to long so I don't get to much smoke out of the door. As soon as its lit I close the door and plug it in. After it gets burning I put a little more coal on top of it. Good luck.
Jeff
Jeff
- fishhunter
- Member
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Wed. Aug. 27, 2008 9:02 pm
- Location: BROOKFIELD MA
i finally got the stove lit. should have dusted first though, got that smelly dust burning thing going on right now. I got one stater bag lit it started to die down then I put on another one and fed some coal on it every few minutes about 5 times and it is a roaring blaze now.
thanks for the help
jeremy
thanks for the help
jeremy