New to the Forum and to Coal Burning

david78 · Post by **david78** » Sun. Nov. 06, 2011 5:28 pm

Made in Nashua, NH. I bought one new back in the 80's, model NFP2, wood only. They were built like a tank; mine weighed 525 pounds. It was a real heat monster, and pretty easy on the wood. I still have it but it's in the garage, replaced by my Splendid Oak. I didn't know they made coal stoves. Jim. I bet that stove will put out some good heat.

david78 · Post by **david78** » Sun. Nov. 06, 2011 5:52 pm

franco b wrote:
Jim Blauvelt wrote:Third question, I have been reading that coal stoves should be run continuosly. This Nashua stove has a bellows blower. I am assuming that this blower is used to stoke the coals and to help with start ups. can this blower be left in the off position while I am away at work or does this stove require it to be on all the time. I do not have a manual for this stove and haven't been able to find any info on blowers and there use. I am a little bit nervouse about being away from home 10 or 12 hours a day. Any info would be most appreciated.
I believe that blower is to distribute the heat from the stove and not to stoke the fire. You can leave it off if you wish when away, it just will not distribute the heat as well and the stack temp. will be higher without it.

Franco is right; the blower circulates air over top the baffle inside the stove and out the vents on the side. Really helps move the heat around. I had mine on a thermostat so it shut off when the stove cooled.

Smoker858 · Post by **Smoker858** » Sun. Nov. 06, 2011 8:27 pm

I aree with what BERLIN suggested. Looking good Jim.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Nov. 06, 2011 9:16 pm

She looks like she'll put out some heat--looks nice & simplistic--screw draft should allow for controlled fire--later my friend

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Mon. Nov. 07, 2011 7:11 pm

Model NC-1. Looks to be made from 1/4" plate, solid as a rock. It has clearly been used but it is in great shape. Can't wait to fire it up. waiting on the building inspector.

david78 · Post by **david78** » Mon. Nov. 07, 2011 7:15 pm

I remember one of their advertisements they set off part of a stick of dynamite in one of their stoves and it just bent the door latch. They're pretty stout stoves.

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 2:31 pm

Put the first few shovels full into my Nashua, not that cold out but want to season the new pipe. coal is just starting to catch. I think my initial wood fire should have been hotter.
New chimney seems to be drawing well. Not a very livley fire but the stove is putting out heat. Pretty happy about flipping the bird to opec!

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 3:26 pm

fire box full and burning, stack temp, 230 F Outside, 46 F Inside 76 F wow

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 3:54 pm

Outstanding:) The more you play with it, the better you get at it--I'm talking about the stove.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 3:56 pm

Good work Jim, you will have the windows open shortly.

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 4:38 pm

good one fred. and the windows are open! I'm stoked!

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Sun. Nov. 13, 2011 7:37 am

ok so had a good fire going almost all night. at 10 I shook it down and added some fuel. I also turned the ash door intake screw dow a bit. woke up at 4, still had red coal and some flame. shook it down, added some coal. went outside to dump the ash, came back in and it was out. learning curve 101

I think I monkeyed with it to much.

Post by **Rob R.** » Sun. Nov. 13, 2011 7:42 am

Jim, next time try adding a little coal and giving the fire some air. Once things are burning bright and lively, THEN shake the stove down. Anthracite doesn't like to be disturbed when it is "sleepy". If you try and shake down a low fire, there is a good chance you will put it out.

Jim Blauvelt · Post by **Jim Blauvelt** » Sun. Nov. 13, 2011 8:33 am

That is just what happened. didnt take much to get it relit though. Just raked it around and shook out the ash, started a wood fire on top of the left over coals. once that got going added some coal and it kicked off pretty quick. I have never woke up in november to a house at 67 F before.

SteveZee · Post by **SteveZee** » Sun. Nov. 13, 2011 8:49 am

As Rob just mentioned, add a scoop or two of coal and open up the throttle till you've got a lively fire. Then shake down and reload totally. Works every time. Also, only shake when it needs it, at say, 12 hrs. or whatever your stove calls for. One of mine (cookstove) is about 10hrs cycle and the other is longer but I do them together. Shake till you have an orange glow in the ashpan from above and your good.