Clunkers, Clinkers and Ash

coalmark · Post by **coalmark** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 9:56 pm

I am presently, personally anointing myself as a bona fide intermediate coal burner. My current burn is now (knock wood er...coal or whatever) 32 days. I nursed it through two near death experiences. I think I finally have a good handle on what I am doing. SO... now onto fine tuning and more advanced topics. I notice that when I shake the grates I get a variety of shapes sizes and colors in my ash. Fine fly ash in shades of gray , brown and rust; large flat pieces resembling small pieces of slate or shale also in the same color schemes ; brittle striated chunks of burnt coal; and finally, small gray to black molten looking chunks of .... I don't know. Is this variety normal? Does it matter?

I have a newmac combination furnace

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 3:55 am

Congrats on thirty days of good coal fashioned fun. I'm sure as time goes on you'll get more relaxed and it'll be an easy chore.
Oh hey... they say to check your stove pipe for ash build up after 30 days, then you'll have an idea if it needs cleaning every month or three months or every 6 months. If it clogs, you get CO. I trust you have a CO detector?

All ash is different. As long as it's all burned up, no problem!

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 6:37 am

Congrats on keeping it going!
What coal are you burning?

coalmark · Post by **coalmark** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 7:42 am

Freddy

I will check, although I doubt it is a problem. My furnace is a combination oil furnace and the oil heat exchanger is between the coal firebox and the flu. I do have a CO detector.

Devil

I am burning Blaschak mixed 2 parts stove to 3 parts nut