wet rice coal

Got a load of rice that is wet any idea how long it takes dry if it does?
Harmon says wet coal is a no no in there stocker.

I took delivery of 4 ton chestnut about 3 weeks ago. It was freshly washed and I was surprised at how much black water ran down the chute towards the end of the load.

I started a fire that night and all burned well - And it seemed to take about 3-4 days for the coal to dry out.

It will probably never fully dry out in the center, dampness shouldn't be an issue as far as burning it. I have a picture around here somewhere with a old placrd from a Van Wert Stoker and the recommend that it's damp. Perhaps Keystoker is concerned about the sulfur water causing corrosion.

No way to avoid dampness especially with rice, I have taken people coal right off the pile that was sitting for while because they requested it, the rice is always damp but the nut will dry out completely... they only request it once though. I try and warn them.

the problem with the wet rice is that it tends to pack up at the hopper and pusher block area due to its inability to flow into the combustion chamber as would dry coal. really its no big deal just an inconvience at the worst time.

sometimes running the stroke to max will work it out and push it through or it will just sit there and do nothing. if it doesnt work then dig out the hopper so you can see the pusher block and work dry coal into the opening until it feeds on its own.

i use plastic buckets with drain holes on the bottom and stack them around the side of the stoker to let the radient heat off the stove to help dry it.

Good info I will try your tricks