How to keep the flue hot for lighting anthracite in a stove

 
meanwhileinhell
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: Aarrow Ecoburn Plus 5 Widescreen

Post by meanwhileinhell » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 7:28 am

Hi all,
I got my first stove installed a few weeks ago, it's an Aarrow Ecoburn Plus 5 Widescreen. I am pretty much a complete beginner with stoves. I have been experimenting with the best fuel that is officially supported by my stove and manufacturer. I find anthrcite ovoids to provide the best heat and duration. Kiln logs burn through at a crazy rate. My question is, what's the best way of starting a fire to burn antracite, while keeping the flue hot to maintain a healthy draw? My installer told me that "the rule of thumb is, a hot flue provides the best draw", or something like that.

I've been experimenting by starting to get the flue hot by using a fire lighter and a small amount of kindling, with both the top and bottom air inlets open. Once this has started to die down, I add about double the kindling as before. This usually gets the flue to just over 100*C. Then I'll add a small, kiln dried log to keep the flame, and start adding some ovoids around it. I now close the top air inlet (which in this model doesn't actually fully close and remains about half open at all times by design). However, I can't find a method where the flue temp doesn't begin to dramatically drop, sometimes by about half, by the time the ovoids start to catch.

What is the best method to get anthracite to burn, while maintaining the a good flue temperature? Perhaps there is a sticky on how best to light a stove for anthracite.

Thanks!


 
Holdencoal
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Post by Holdencoal » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 7:36 am

Welcome to the group.

Did you get the solid fuel kit for this stove?

https://www.aradastoves.com/files/pdf/pdf36783c.pdf

Most people after trying wood to start switch to match light.

 
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coalmaster
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Coal Size/Type: nut anthricite

Post by coalmaster » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 9:23 am

I do not have that stove but I use charcoal to start my coal fire

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 9:29 am

Ditto on match-light!!

 
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Formulabruce
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Post by Formulabruce » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 8:33 pm

X3 on matchlight. Coal burning in 5 minutes max !!

 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 10:29 pm

Anthracite coal wont keep the chimney as hot as wood will. Ovoids I am unsure. If you have a manometer to measure draft you can see how that compares with what your stove manufacturer says works best. You may or may not need a damper depending on your draft. Your chimneys temperature wont really matter as long as you have the required draft.

I dont have a problem starting fires with wood but many here use charcoal as you can see. Wood will smoke up the glass on your stove though.

 
Andrewg945
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: Pot belly
Coal Size/Type: Nut Anthracite

Post by Andrewg945 » Mon. Feb. 08, 2021 9:57 pm

I have an old pot belly stove. I can't keep it lit for more than an hour. Any suggestion would be helpful.


 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Mon. Feb. 08, 2021 10:36 pm

Andrew,I've asked that the Board Mods create your very own topic in our hand fired section. It'll get it's own attention and answers while not clogging up the train of thought to meanwhileinhell's current dilemma.

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Tue. Feb. 16, 2021 9:17 pm

Chimney temps are going to drop during start-up, the coal is absorbing the heat. Don't worry about stack temp unless it turns orange. :D disclaimer-that's a joke.

 
Greenleaf
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Post by Greenleaf » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 pm

Wood. I use a lot. Starting slow then adding more and more. I have a crap storm of wood. Logs, kindling on and on. My stove pipe gets extremely hot because it is basically an old pot belly but sleek and modern with full sheet steel shroud. So, yeah, like a pot belly. I see pipe temp of 700 easy. Then add the first layers of coal. Full on air, both top/bottom. Let it cook good. When ready, add more layers. It takes a bit of time. After filled to desired level it can be adjusted for optimal burn.
Yeah, the outlet temp drops like a sack of hammers. Goes to 400 but 300 isn't uncommon.

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 5:51 pm

Greenleaf wrote:
Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 pm
Wood. I use a lot. Starting slow then adding more and more. I have a crap storm of wood. Logs, kindling on and on. My stove pipe gets extremely hot because it is basically an old pot belly but sleek and modern with full sheet steel shroud. So, yeah, like a pot belly. I see pipe temp of 700 easy. Then add the first layers of coal. Full on air, both top/bottom. Let it cook good. When ready, add more layers. It takes a bit of time. After filled to desired level it can be adjusted for optimal burn.
Yeah, the outlet temp drops like a sack of hammers. Goes to 400 but 300 isn't uncommon.
700° is just about ready to turn orange. That's a bit high.

 
Greenleaf
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Post by Greenleaf » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 6:02 pm

I'm a blacksmith. Steel turns orange at 1,600°F

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 7:48 pm

Greenleaf wrote:
Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 6:02 pm
I'm a blacksmith. Steel turns orange at 1,600°F
Right. What thickness?

 
Greenleaf
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Post by Greenleaf » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 8:57 pm

The cutting edge of a knife blade. At 590° it turns blue.

 
waytomany?s
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Post by waytomany?s » Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 9:05 pm



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