How much coal on grate

Just purchased a used pionner stove and will be stating it up in a couple of days, wondering how much coal on the grate? Do i cover all air holes or start back further so unburnt coal wont get pushed off of the grate. New to a stoker have been burnning harman sf250 stove in entrance & hitzer 82 furnacein basement. Thanks for the help ERIC

Air, like water, will take the path of least resistance. If there's open holes on the grate, most of the air pressure from the combustion fan will follow that path if theres something like the coal you're trying to start blocking some of the other holes.

Make sure your Set temp is LOWER or equal to the ROOM temp before starting the stove, so it doesn't overfeed, once you get a line of hot coals and ash at the front edge, you can start raising your temp by a couple degrees at a time...and let it catch up..coal is slow in responding, so it may take and hour or so to raise it a degree or two.

you can start it with coal about half to 3/4 full on the grates, it will fill in as it feeds, but once you get it started, it will flare up quite a bit while it's getting burning and until you start to get ash at the end of the grate and it settles down, some coals may fall off the end at the beginning, maybe 45mins to and hour or so to start to see the ash...don't panic, just let the Coaltrol take control.


Good luck!! Getting that time of the year !

Thanks wny worked perfect, good fire first try think im going to like this stove : )

Great!!! Glad to be of assistance...

just remember to make small changes and let everything catch up and equalize.....

Stay Warm!

Great!!! Glad to be of assistance...

just remember to make small changes and let everything catch up and equalize.....

Stay Warm!