I could really use some good advice here

mtech · By: **mtech** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:39 pm

The issue I have is that I'm having a hard time keeping the stove regulated to a constant burn.

At night I can get the stove to burn real nice but by morning it's almost out.

Would adding a barometric damper and a manometer solve this issue for me?

I know this is probably the simplest design with a twist damper and a sliding intake door but it just doesn't work constantly enough.

I'm open to all opinions and ideas and thank you for your help.

Steve

Rob R. · By: **Rob R.** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:45 pm

I would check the gasket on your ash door, if there are air leaks you will have a hard time controlling the stove.

titleist1 · By: **titleist1** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 3:56 pm

Check the loading door gasket also, if it is leaking you would lose the fire also. I didn't pick up on whether the coal is burned up in the morning (too much draft air) when the fire is almost out or if there is unburned coal (too much over fire air). You may or may not benefit from a BD, but I would recommend getting a manometer to see exactly what your draft is. How tight are the sliding slots on the ash door - if they are closed is air still leaking through them?

mtech · By: **mtech** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:33 pm

markviii,

I checked the ash door gasket and it looks in pretty nice shape with a good seal..thank you

titleist1,

The loading door gasket was just replaced last year and it's in pretty good shape also. I checked the slide and that also feels pretty tight.

It seems that my biggest problem is controlling the burn
on a constant basis. It either burns way to fast or doesn't burn hot enough...I'm lost,lol...but thank you!!

Pacowy · By: **Pacowy** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:43 pm

I'm not sure I'm allowed to give advice on hand-fired stoves, but I'd suggest making sure the bed of coals is thick enough, blending/using a smaller size of coal and/or covering the bed of coals with a thin layer of ash after all of the normal steps on a recharge.

Mike

WNY · By: **WNY** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 4:50 pm

A baro damper could help maintain a constant draft on the stove in varying heating conditions (as long as you are not burning wood). When it gets going, it will create more draft and pull more heat from the stove.

You need to large coal bed to keep it it going.

There are other threads on Maintaining Fire on similiar stoves. Do a search..
Heres a few to read.

Question about maintaining a fire

Hitzer 503-Unable to maintain Fire

Coal not lasting all night

buck24 · By: **buck24** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:24 pm

Could you give us a little more detail on what you are exactly doing when you are loading coal, the amount that you are loading, your draft slide setting, how long before you dampen the stove, whats the temperature of the stove, is the stove burning hot enough to catch more coal, are you adding enough coal, are you shaking down enough ash,are the seals good on the feed and ash doors, is the stovepipe clear of ash and the chimney ok. Test the rope gasket with a dollar bill. Close the door on the dollar bill and see if you can pull it through. Process of elimination will get you there. A lot of coal knowledge on this site, someone will help you figure it out.

coalkirk · By: **coalkirk** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:44 pm

Looking at the picture of your sliding air intakes, they are open pretty wide. If that is how wide you have them open when burning, that's at least half your problem. Too much air under the fire. Plus as others have said, load that sucker up.
All a baro will do is limit your draft. It won't give you more draft. As was said earlier, you may or may not need one. The only way to tell is to use a manometer (draft guage) to see what kind of draft you have. A manual vent damper is not recommended with a coal stove. (Here come the comments from the manual damper folks) :roll:

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 6:57 pm

OK, I'm an MPD folk---but, that is definatly not your problem--neither are gaskets--your fire is not running away, it's dieing---poke your grates from top & bottom--shake the tears out of her--were you idling during that warm day/cold night period? That will build up much un-needed ash.Close your front vents to about an 1/8 moon--if you've got a back flap, open it about 1/4" gap in this weather--open bvack more when cold gets here.--Me yhinks you are suffering from an underneath draft lacking--do that ash clean up.

Keep us posted my friend.

CapeCoaler · By: **CapeCoaler** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 7:58 pm

Dollar bill test the door gaskets...
Load to the top of the bricks...
control the air...
And you will soon be having long burns...
The coal is all turned to ash in the morning...
Too much air or not enough coal...
As always pictures will help...
Pics of the stove when full and a pic of the morning ash...

mtech · By: **mtech** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:01 pm

WNY,

I just got done reading all thru those links and I do appreciate the knowledge that you directed me to...thank you very much!!!

mtech · By: **mtech** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:15 pm

buck24,

You are so right buddy, the knowledge here is amazing and the willingness to help is truly more than
I even expected. I never realized what the proper procedure was, with regards to operating a hand fired
coal stove, but after reading all that I have tonight, I really have a good starting point and a much better
understanding of how a coal stove is suppose to be operated. I dont think I've been shaking the ash enough
nor have I added enough coal in the bed from the start so I'm going to correct those issues first and see how
things go from there.

You guys/gals are truly awesome!!!!

Uglysquirrel · By: **Uglysquirrel** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:19 pm

And lets not talk about the beautiful dancing blue ladies you get after nicely heaping the coal!!!

I miss them!!!

Ug

mtech · By: **mtech** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:22 pm

Pacowy,

I think you are correct in one of my many errors I've been making with this stove...Thank you!!!

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:24 pm

mtech wrote:buck24,
You are so right buddy, the knowledge here is amazing and the willingness to help is truly more than I even expected.

Anthracite is the sternest teacher you'll meet!

I could really use some good advice here

I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here

Re: I could really use some good advice here