Trouble keeping coal fire burning

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cuttingback
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 12:33 pm
Location: west virginia
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Mon. Oct. 24, 2022 1:29 pm

I recently got a Heatmaster C375. I have been burning wood up until the last 7-10 days since I finished my coal bin and ordered a mix of run of mine/nut coal. When I burned exclusively wood, I could load it and burn through the night or day while at work. However, since trying to burn coal, this has been a pain to keep from burning out or going longer that 6 hrs. The unit has a grate and a forced air set up. I've played with the temp (170-180), diff (2-10), and adjusted the forced air draft flow. I, generally, start the fire with dried, split oak or cherry and then build a pile of coal on top. I have tried covering the entire grate and 3/4 of it with the front open. Still the trouble of keeping a fire from burning out or lasting more that 6-8 hours continues. I have added a 3' chimney extension and have another 3' section i can add to this if need be. For you who have experience with either Heatmaster or a similar unit, any advice would be very much appreciated. I'm wondering if it is not getting enough draft when the fan is off. Would adding the chimney extension help this? Also, the coal I had delivered has a fair amount of fine material. Would this cause it to bridge more easily and burn out verses larger nuggets? I'm super excited to get the hang on this since I am days away from finishing my 20 x16 greenhouse! Can't wait to have fresh garden tomatoes, veggies in the winter. Definitely can't have it going out while I'm at work and my stuff freezes.

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nut
Member
Posts: 1311
Joined: Wed. Aug. 28, 2019 1:54 pm
Location: NEPA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Glacier Bay
Coal Size/Type: nut
Other Heating: electric

Post by nut » Mon. Oct. 24, 2022 4:03 pm

Thats some pretty dirty coal. Maybe it's choking out?

 
cuttingback
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed. Oct. 19, 2022 12:33 pm
Location: west virginia
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Heatmaster C 375

Post by cuttingback » Mon. Oct. 24, 2022 4:27 pm

Maybe. I was wondering that too. Also wasn't sure if my chimney needs the extra extension to cause a greater draft so it won't suffocate. I know there is a little metal circle dial riveted to the side of the air box. Wonder if it is a big enough hole for sufficient air flow when the fan isn't running? What boiler do you run?


 
nut
Member
Posts: 1311
Joined: Wed. Aug. 28, 2019 1:54 pm
Location: NEPA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Glacier Bay
Coal Size/Type: nut
Other Heating: electric

Post by nut » Mon. Oct. 24, 2022 5:27 pm

I don't have a boiler but I know that when I start using the bottom of the coal bin with all the fines my stove has a tendancy to go out.

 
Coalblooded
Member
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu. Oct. 27, 2022 12:31 am
Location: Southern ohio
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Jensen 24a
Coal Size/Type: Ky lump, bituminous

Post by Coalblooded » Mon. Nov. 07, 2022 7:17 am

My hypothesis would be; looks pretty shallow, damper cooling fire too much before calling for heat

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