Alaska Channing 3 Fire

New to this coal burning. I have a channing 3 that I am burning on low (1 1/2 to 2) the fire is right at the back of the wall, were the new coal comes in. is this ok? can this start a hopper fire? is my draft ok?its about .02 on a manometer thanks all.

Hi Skanee, the fire should not be burning all the way at the top of the grate, If it is, then the grate is probably leaking air along the seam where it joins the stoker mechanism.

It could possibly burn back into the hopper. Make sure the hopper lid fits well and is on tight, put something on it to weigh it down a bit if it doesn't fit well, you don't want air getting in under the cover.

When you can, burn the fire out, empty the hopper, lift up on the cast iron grate, and clean out underneath it, then use furnace cement and seal the edges when you put it back together, You will see that the holes in the grate don't go all the way to the top, they stop about 2" from the top, that is where the fire should start, and burn down from there.

Greg L

I have an Alaska 3 Channing that is on its second season and the fire on the grate starts where the back wall of the stove begins. I would be careful not to let the hopper go low because you could have a hopper fire. You may want to call Alaska to find out if what you describe is normal. I would also be interested in hearing from other Alaska owners.

Hey Guys,I posted that this happened to me last season I had a small fire in the hopper. After I added coal on top of a few hot pieces in the hopper that burnt back up from the grate( The hopper was nearly empty). Several hours later I grabbed the lid handle to check the hopper level and had to drop the lid it was so hot. After unplugging the stove I started scooping out all the coal in the hopper to find about a softball size glowing red pile. Needlesstosay it was very hot and scary with a newborn in the house. Ive never let the hopper get that low again and check it everytime it is low for any signs of burning coal. With that being said my Channing also burns right at the rear wall of the stove and this has always been on my mind. Im pretty sure that the grate is welded in to place though. Maybe Ill call Alaska tomorrow and see what they have to say.

The great is removable but you have to remove the hopper before the grate will lift off. There is a strongback gasket under the grate but if the stove is new I doubt that is the problem . If anything II think it is a draft issue. The fire on mine is usuall only about 1-1 1/2" form the back wall. Alaska recommends a draft setting on the baro of -.04. Are you getting condensation under the hopper lid? How wide is the fire at your low setting. Most people can only get down to an 1" wide before they start having issues. I have noticed the numbers on the burn setting are pretty much meaning less as they don't seem to calibrate the knobs correctly. For instance I cant even physically turn the knob lower than 2 but it will go an 1" past the 9 setting.

Cheapheat: I was wondering if you ever called Alaska?