cleaning the keystoker kb8

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pmich61
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Joined: Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 9:42 am
Location: Charlevoix MIchigan
Stoker Coal Boiler: keystoker kb-8
Coal Size/Type: rice
Other Heating: propane

Post by pmich61 » Tue. Oct. 10, 2017 6:06 pm

I've been burning coal for a couple of years now, and I have to tell ya its been a learning experience. I'm wondering how you clean the inside of the fire box? I'm talking about up the walls and top of the boiler. If anyone has any tricks or tip, i'm all ears.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 6:05 am

If you have never cleaned the boiler, it is definitely due. I use a bbq cleaning brush, and just scrape down the insides of the boiler with it. For a Keystoker you have to get down and dirty and reach in through the ash door to do this. A long handled brush would probably be best.

When you get the boiler all clean, remove the smoke pipe and clean that as well. I just take mine off and give it a good thump into an ash tub. That knocks all the fly ash out and makes it easy to clean up.

Lastly, you will want to clean the holes in the grates and vacuum out the fines from underneath the grates. Most guys remove the small blower from the stoker and stick the vacuum in through there.

 
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nepacoal
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Keystoker KAA-4 / "Kelly" and an EFM 520 at my in-laws
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Coal Size/Type: Buck

Post by nepacoal » Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 6:19 am

+1 on the BBQ brush. Works great. I do slide the shop vac hose into the ash door to cut down on any flyash escaping while brushing down the inside.
Last edited by nepacoal on Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 6:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.


 
lzaharis
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Location: Ithaca, New York
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Coal Size/Type: rice
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Post by lzaharis » Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 10:54 am

Please be sure to clean under the steam chest as well.

 
pmich61
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Posts: 4
Joined: Sun. Mar. 16, 2014 9:42 am
Location: Charlevoix MIchigan
Stoker Coal Boiler: keystoker kb-8
Coal Size/Type: rice
Other Heating: propane

Post by pmich61 » Sat. Oct. 14, 2017 8:57 pm

Thanks guys for your insight. I do clean the boiler every spring, was just looking for some tips to make it a little easier. The shop vac is one that I will be using in the future.

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