Coalpail.com Forum

I have done a lot of reading on this site and has been very helpful with the installation of my Alaska Channing III. I have one question I cannot find an answer to...Maybe I am not using the correct search term. How do I tell if the coal is being completely burnt? Should my ash be like power or power with bits of Burnt coal pieces in it. Mine is currently ash and small bits of pebble size ash. Is this correct?

Thanks again for this site it has been a huge help.

search on "granola". You'll see what you're looking for.
-Len

different veins or seams of coal have different burning characteristics.red ash ,white ash,high ash ,low ash,high fusion,low fusion,high or low volatility,etc.your job is to tune your stoker,which also has it's own "personality",to the coal you have to burn.if there is rock or slate in the ash,the breaker cleaning it failed,if there is coal in the ash,you didn't tune to the coal.due to the vein differences,and stoker differences,don't worry about what your ash looks like,only worry that it is all ash,and not coal or rock.all ash means ya done good.

len has it right.....granola looking stuff for stokers.

AFTER it cools then you can crunch it up between your fingers and see if it is all ash or if some is unburned. please don't do this when you first pull the ash pan out of the stove!

it is not unusual to get some unburned coal from a stoker in the 'shoulder' months of fall and spring when the weather is not so cold and the stove idles a lot.

neither the cleaning process nor the burning process will be perfect,but strive for excellence

Thanks for all your replies. I would say mine ash is Granola. I will check it tonight to see if it crumbles in my hand when pressed.

Thanks again this site has helped me a lot!!