KA6 Coking up in the Grates

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 7:22 am

There is an adjustment bar on stoker for allowing how thick of coal gets pushed to grate...it is easy enough to adjust...surprised no one has mentioned it.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 7:27 am

Someone posted that moving that bar is not easy

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 7:27 am

Someone posted that moving that bar is not easy

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 7:56 am

Carbon12 wrote:Someone posted that moving that bar is not easy

So, since it's hard... Forget about it???

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 7:58 am

No, but it was suggested that it was not something to try during the burning season incase some bolt or such broke. I was ready to give it a try until the experienced poster dissuaded me

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:01 am

Empty hopper should be all that's required.

Suppose to be Anti-Sieze on them bolts...Right?

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:08 am

I think it was Whistlenut that strongly advised against it. Something about seized bolts and PIA repairs.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:09 am

My coal cakes are not resulting in any backup on the grate. No coal spilling over so I'm not too concerned at this point.

BennyLumpkin · Post by **BennyLumpkin** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:13 am

the main thing I don't understand is I've been burning this thing nonstop since last November when I installed it. I feed my domestic hot water even all summer and have never had this problem until about 3 weeks ago. Its coal that has been in my been since probably this time last year but my basement is as dry as can be so I don't think it's a moisture issue with the coal. why the sudden change? I'm sure it's mixed some because there is coal from harmony that I had put on top of Blaschak coal. as far as the test I did with buckwheat coal I'm not 100 percent satisfied with because it was only half a hopper full I tried my test with. it also coked up but I'm sure my settings weren't perfect for that type coal.

Post by **Rob R.** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:21 am

BennyLumpkin wrote:I think you didn't understand my post. With buck I was at 5 or 6 turns as the manual states. With rice I'm between 10-12 just like the manual says. I got the manual out last night when I have the buck a trial run to make sure it was set right

Not sure which version of the manual you are reading, but the current one recommends 10 turns for buck.

BennyLumpkin wrote:there is coal from harmony

I think that is a big part of it. I burned their coal for a few weeks and couldn't believe the clinker tower my EFM produced with it. I ended up turning the air way down and it still produced clinkers, but they were small enough that it didn't cause any problems.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:26 am

Best I can offer is this, you need to cut back the big fan combustion air...NOT the little fan.
You do know the difference in the two, don't you?

Some Keystoker Owners don't even know where the big fan air adjustment is.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:27 am

I've tried that. Didn't make any difference.

BennyLumpkin · Post by **BennyLumpkin** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:28 am

I misplaced my manual so I downloaded one online and those are the numbers it gave me. My local super has Blaschak and I don't think I want it again. Not sure where to go now. I can haul 5 ton at a time myself. Harmony wasn't giving me issues but the Blaschak had better heat but cokes up terribly. .... should I try Direnzo? Atlas? I'm driving from near State College so it's no short drive but I'll do it for good coal. It's a wash price wise since my local guy is 215 a ton delivered if you buy 5 or more tons at a time. Till I drive to get my own and pay fuel it's a wash.

BennyLumpkin · Post by **BennyLumpkin** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:30 am

Yes I know the difference. .... right now it's completely shut. .... draft is correct and no change. When this all started I had it around half open and it always worked fine.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Feb. 05, 2014 8:35 am

BennyLumpkin wrote:Yes I know the difference. .... right now it's completely shut. .... draft is correct and no change. When this all started I had it around half open and it always worked fine.

Completly closed...that's not possible. You sure you know the difference of the two fans?