How to keep the flue hot for lighting anthracite in a stove
-
- New Member
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon. Feb. 01, 2021 7:09 am
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Aarrow Ecoburn Plus 5 Widescreen
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!
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!
-
- Member
- Posts: 673
- Joined: Sun. Nov. 17, 2019 2:17 pm
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.
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.
- coalmaster
- Member
- Posts: 127
- Joined: Thu. Dec. 17, 2015 9:47 pm
- Location: slate belt
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: hitzer 50-93 2800sqft
- Coal Size/Type: nut anthricite
I do not have that stove but I use charcoal to start my coal fire
- freetown fred
- Member
- Posts: 30300
- Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
- Location: Freetown,NY 13803
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
- Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut
Ditto on match-light!!
- Formulabruce
- Member
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sat. Feb. 02, 2013 8:02 pm
- Location: in the "Shire" ( New Hamp -shire)
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark 1 Goldenfire
- Coal Size/Type: BLASHAK Nut and Stove size
- Other Heating: Blower from a gas furnace if I need to move air, no heat
X3 on matchlight. Coal burning in 5 minutes max !!
- warminmn
- Member
- Posts: 8189
- Joined: Tue. Feb. 08, 2011 5:59 pm
- Location: Land of 11,842 lakes
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Junior, Riteway 37
- Coal Size/Type: nut and stove anthracite, lignite
- Other Heating: Wood and wear a wool shirt
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.
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.
-
- New Member
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Mon. Feb. 08, 2021 9:43 pm
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Pot belly
- Coal Size/Type: Nut Anthracite
I have an old pot belly stove. I can't keep it lit for more than an hour. Any suggestion would be helpful.
- Hambden Bob
- Member
- Posts: 8549
- Joined: Mon. Jan. 04, 2010 10:54 am
- Location: Hambden Twp. Geauga County,Ohio
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman 1998 Magnum Stoker
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Blower Model Coal Chubby 1982-Serial#0097
- Coal Size/Type: Rice-A-Roni ! / Nut
- Other Heating: Pro-Pain Forced Air
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.
-
- Member
- Posts: 3943
- Joined: Fri. Aug. 16, 2019 3:02 pm
- Location: Oneida, N.Y.
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Looking
- Baseburners & Antiques: Looking
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace
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. disclaimer-that's a joke.
-
- Member
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun. Jan. 07, 2024 7:09 pm
- Location: Ashland ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: No
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: No
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Yes
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: No
- Baseburners & Antiques: Yes
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: Wood
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.
Yeah, the outlet temp drops like a sack of hammers. Goes to 400 but 300 isn't uncommon.
-
- Member
- Posts: 3943
- Joined: Fri. Aug. 16, 2019 3:02 pm
- Location: Oneida, N.Y.
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Looking
- Baseburners & Antiques: Looking
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace
700° is just about ready to turn orange. That's a bit high.Greenleaf wrote: ↑Sun. Jan. 14, 2024 5:30 pmWood. 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.
-
- Member
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun. Jan. 07, 2024 7:09 pm
- Location: Ashland ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: No
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: No
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Yes
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: No
- Baseburners & Antiques: Yes
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: Wood
I'm a blacksmith. Steel turns orange at 1,600°F
-
- Member
- Posts: 3943
- Joined: Fri. Aug. 16, 2019 3:02 pm
- Location: Oneida, N.Y.
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Looking
- Baseburners & Antiques: Looking
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace
-
- Member
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun. Jan. 07, 2024 7:09 pm
- Location: Ashland ohio
- Stoker Coal Boiler: No
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: No
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: No
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Yes
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: No
- Baseburners & Antiques: Yes
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: Wood
The cutting edge of a knife blade. At 590° it turns blue.
-
- Member
- Posts: 3943
- Joined: Fri. Aug. 16, 2019 3:02 pm
- Location: Oneida, N.Y.
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harmon Mark II
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Looking
- Baseburners & Antiques: Looking
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: newmac wood/coal combo furnace