New to this forum, and new to coal stoves. But, for a long while I've been working to become educated in installing and using a small coal stove to supplement the furnace in the winter; not looking to heat the whole house. House is from 1873, and all the restoration work is a learning process... to do it like it was, and should be done.
Last year I bought an antique Godin stove. Photo attached. I've been messaging with users on this forum for several weeks, learning everything I can, and I've read nearly everything I can get my hands on regarding coal stove operation, chimney liners, you-name-it.
What I'm hoping for by posting on the public side is two-fold: (1) find someone who might have a stove similar to mine, who could offer some feedback on using this sort of stove every day - what is it like to use, operate, clean out, pitfalls, what's good about it vs. bad, etc. And, (2) some general advice to someone totally new to operating a coal stove; things only experienced folks would know, and want to share.
The stove is not currently installed, and is sitting in a storage building.
I really appreciate the time - thank you in advance.
Antique Godin Coal Stove
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- Site Moderator
- Posts: 11416
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
- Location: Kent CT
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
- Coal Size/Type: nut and pea
Here are the specs for your stove and recommended clearances.
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- New Member
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Thu. Sep. 23, 2021 5:05 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Godin 3721
- Baseburners & Antiques: Pittston 81812
- Coal Size/Type: Nut anthracite
I have a Godin 3721 installed in my house. Nice little coal stove that can burn wood but doesn't hold much and it is vertical so it goes fast. On coal it burns about 14 hrs with 30 lbs in it. Heats my 1200 square foot house to 73 with no problems. They are a bit of a pain to shake down due to the size of the movable grate and the shape of the back of fire box. There are a few good videos on YouTube on shaking them down. And they tend to bridge after shake down. That's where the ashes and clinkers shake down and leave an arched empty space under the burning coal. Just collapse it with your poker and add more coal. Still in the 70s here so I have stuff on hearth