Hotblast Year 4

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 1:40 pm

Did you see my other thread?
I don't use the shaker grates anymore.

I don't think the new grates will be much tighter. Just get one unless you want a spare. They are kinda pricey.

Instead do this -

This is a good opportunity for you to turn the grate set around and it'll only cost you a small piece of steel to connect the shaker handle to the female end of the grate. You won't need to buy a new grate at all.
Last edited by Lightning on Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 1:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.


 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 1:45 pm

Double post

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 1:56 pm


 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 2:06 pm

I did not see your other post, Lightning, but heading there now to look.

I did end up buying two new grates even though I (probably) needed just one.
I'm keeping the old ones for stock.

Good thing I checked.
I replaced the bricks since they're cheap and 6 or 8 of the old ones came out in pieces when removing them
I couldn't see any cracks by just looking at them.

Both liners look in excellent shape.

Dumped the front baffle while I was in there

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 3:24 pm

Yeah I got sick of dealing with the grates and took them out. I installed a flat grate and use a big knife lol.

Riddle Method for Ash Clearing

 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 7:18 pm

This was my first broken grate in 4 years so I haven't gotten as fed up as you.
:baby:

But, both links look interesting.

Your nub solution didn't work long term?

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 7:37 pm

It worked for nearly three full heating seasons then the nub on the back grate broke.


 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 7:50 pm

Don't know your own strength or just too enthusiastic?

While looking for the part # earlier, I noticed the manual says to, only, shake 1/2".

I re-lit earlier and the mystery of the poorer than usual draw is still there.

I blew out the mano tube again and, briefly, got a .05 or .06 reading with the MPD and all the stove dampers open.
Then it dropped back to .02-.03 and smoke out the load door.

I may have a real chimney guy inspect in the spring.
Unless the problem gets worse

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 9:00 pm

larryfoster wrote:
Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 7:50 pm
Don't know your own strength or just too enthusiastic?
I dunno lol. In my quest for an ash free fuel bed I guess I just produced a little too much torque. In 7 years I've broken 4 grate nubs. I'm over it :lol:

 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 9:07 pm

I don't know if this is pertinent to your issue.
The manual for my Warm Morning stove discourages removing ALL the ash.

Something about making the grates brittle or something.

Could your "obsession" with no ash be contributing?

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Jan. 29, 2018 9:24 pm

Yes, it most likely didn't help. With the current setup I'm finding that such a thorough ash clearing isn't quite as necessary since there is so much more area for combustion air to get up thru.

 
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Feb. 12, 2018 4:46 pm

How's it going Larry? Haven't seen ya around since you bought new grates. Is it burning any better for ya?

 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Feb. 12, 2018 5:19 pm

Thanks for asking, Lee.

Burning seems to be a lot better this year but the last load of coal presents new challenges.
It was supposed to be nut coal but it is very small lumps with an awful lot of fines.
I have to pick around with the shovel to get some lumps and not all fines.

I have had to burn it all by banking my new coal.
If I throw it on top of the fire it smothers it out.
Also have to poke it a lot more often to get air holes.

But, I may have discovered the miracle cure for all that ails you.
Right after my last cleaning (and before) I couldn't keep smoke from billowing out the load door.
It was puzzling because it continued after clean out and the manometer readings were almost non-existent.

I tried this product: MEECO'S RED DEVIL 17 Soot Remover
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MX9HRQ/ref= ... UTF8&psc=1

Immediately, my mano readings improved and smoke stopped coming out the doors.

It was magic!!!!
:o

I'm going to try a little in the Warm Morning out in the garage.

As far as the new grates, they seem a little stiff.
Not getting a lot of rotation but seem to be clearing the ashes.

In general, the house has been pretty comfortable all winter.

I still haven't figured out how to regulate temperature very well.
I believe the MPD and primary do that.

 
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Post by Lightning » Sun. Oct. 21, 2018 9:59 pm

How ya doing Larry?
Will there be a Hotblast year 5?

 
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Post by larryfoster » Mon. Oct. 22, 2018 7:34 am

You betcha!

It seems like my fans will demand it.
Besides, it may (or may not) be like Perils of Pauline.

Was just thinking about this in the last couple days as temps fell.
Contemplating when to light and I think it's time.

Propane is running a lot!
And it doesn't look to get above 50s as far out as the eye can see.

I never saw the down side to globalwaing


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