New to This Whole COAL THING

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PaWoodDog
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Post by PaWoodDog » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:19 pm

Like everyone we all started out with a lot of questions about new things in our lives. I am just starting on this path of burning coal and have many questions and concerns before I'm 100% confident in my ability. As you can tell I am a proud owner of a D.S. Machines Basement #4 with a coal hopper and was wondering the best coal to burn. I am not looking for dirty so I'm sure I'm going after the hard coal. I have been told by a few people that the stove will not last long burning coal because the grates will "BURN OUT". I find this hard to believe if I keep the temperature from over heating. Also, I did burn some hard coal that seemed to just smolder and not give off much heat. I only added a total of a 5 gallon bucket over an hour period so i'm assuming I didn't have enough coal in the firebox to produce heat. I really have only messed with wood since my uncle owns a lumber yard and I get the wood free but I hate adding wood every three hours. Plus the nights aren't to much fun having to set the alarm to wake up, stumble down the steps and put wood on the fire. I want something that will burn longer and coal is my ticket. Any help............. Thoughts - remember we all started some time so take it easy on me. :D

 
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ValterBorges
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Post by ValterBorges » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:29 pm

I Will Deliver UAE Harmony Within 100 Miles!

You want to fill her up and keep her topped.

 
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nortcan
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Post by nortcan » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:39 pm

Welcome to the forum PaWD.
If you always keep some ash on the grates you will have them for a very long time. With a layer of ash on the grates, the primary air coming from under the grates keeps the grates cool.
You will love burning anthracite in your stove and will forget the wood burning for ever.
Bonne chance!


 
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ValterBorges
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Post by ValterBorges » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:39 pm

Last edited by ValterBorges on Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 11:38 pm, edited 4 times in total.

 
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freetown fred
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Post by freetown fred » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:47 pm

PWD, yep, a couple thoughts. For a starter--100% don't exist, as does not perfection unless CREATOR oriented, ya know, like trees, ocean, purple mountains majesty--you following my drift. Grates will burn out huh??? where did you find these idiots. Son, you've been on here long enough to have read so much info about your particular stove that so many others on this FORUM use there should be no doubt on the USE parameters nor the safety guidelines you need to have & do. I'd probably be a little more compassionte if your join date was like--Nov. 2011. Sounds to me like you are having some of those self imposed doubts that we all had, at least I had, coming from burning wood for 35 yrs & jumping into something different--but ya know what, I read every bit of info on this site about my Hitzer 50-93 & then one Fall evening 3 yrs back, I had to man up & take that knowledge to match # ONE--Hell no, I was not in the 1 match club that yr. :lol: Two suggestions--1---change your user name, you are now officially a coal dog my friend 2---chill out on yourself--you ain't no dummy, this'll be like rowing a boat in no time. Just remember--safety first--CO alarms & punch DS Machine # 4 in the search box (upper right corner) pa---dog, youlll be fine my friend, just have at it. ;) By the way, how'd that chimney work out??

 
franco b
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Post by franco b » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 9:56 pm

PaWoodDog wrote: I have been told by a few people that the stove will not last long burning coal because the grates will "BURN OUT
They will if you neglect to empty the ash pan and ash builds up to the grate level.

Build your fire slowly only adding more when the previous batch is burning or at least giving off blue flames.


 
Bear038
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Post by Bear038 » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 10:20 pm

If you are starting off with wood kindling, do not wait for it to turn to red glowing coals. When the flames are rolling pretty good, but the wood is just starting to turn to coals, add you anthracite then so that the flames from the wood really work to get the coal going. Add enough coal to cover the wood, but still have flames coming up through it. You can add a fair amount directly on top of the fresh burning wood. Personally I usually add about half a coal bucket at that stage. Once it gets going some, add the rest of the bucket. Keep going till it is full and happily burning.

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Wed. Nov. 30, 2011 11:28 pm

I only added a total of a 5 gallon bucket over an hour period so i'm assuming I didn't have enough coal in the firebox to produce heat.
:lol:
Ummm...
You need to fill to the top of the fire brick...
Then fill the hopper...
A 5 gal pail holds about 40 lbs...
That stove will hold 4 of those buckets, 5 if you know how to stuff it... ;)
Trust me, if run properly the grates will not burn out...
The stove will make lots of heat once you learn how to burn...
I got my DS #4 at 160* burning about 12# a day because it is 50* now...
75% of the grate is ashed up, just burning in one corner, not shaking but poking...
More of just a game to keep the fire going right now due to the heat outside...

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