Using Less or About the Same

Fastcat,I use to weigh each scoop I put in the stove(and the ash I took out of the stove) but on the 10th of this month I dumped a scoop all over the floor,got pissed off and now I don't give a dam how much I put in as long is the house is 76* or hotter(it's the wife not me ) it is what it is .Keepaeyeonit

Keepaeyeonit wrote:Fastcat,I use to weigh each scoop I put in the stove(and the ash I took out of the stove) but on the 10th of this month I dumped a scoop all over the floor,got *censored* off and now I don't give a dam how much I put in as long is the house is 76* or hotter(it's the wife not me ) it is what it is .Keepaeyeonit

Now I have to say I would have to be really bord out of my mind to weigh coal by the scoop and then weigh ashes. :surrender:

Keepaeyeonit wrote:I use to weigh each scoop I put in the stove(and the ash I took out of the stove) ... now I don't give a dam how much I put in

You are hereby excused from future meetings of OCA (Obsessive Compulsives Anonymous).

But before you forget, what was the ratio by weight of ash to coal? Was it within the 7 to 12 percent range typically quoted?

I haven't actually measured/kept track. I can say that I'm putting the same amount of coal in the hopper every day as I did last year. About this time of year, I take a peak in the coal bin (hopper) to see how things are looking. Things are looking about the same. To answer your question; SAME

Rberq, with Harmony I was getting about 10% which I think is a bit high,and with Blaschak is't 10.5% steady but I will never forget I have it logged .Keepaeyeonit

Keepaeyeonit

Good morning, this is my first year burning coal we have a l.l. pocono that is the basement of or home at the far end of a ranch which heats the basement and the upstairs. I had 5 ton of rice delivered 11-18 2011 the day it was installed and have been burning nonstop, ihave given about 1 ton away to freinds who are new to this also and have about 1 ton left. So all and all about 3 ton so far, not sure if that is good or not house is a constant 70 upstairs. Jeff

Less for me. 4 1/4 ton so far since Sept 17. It's been just a little bit warmer than last year......I think it's the Blaschak coal. Seems to burn hotter with almost half the ash.

Good question. I am in a new (to me) house, and I only eyeball the coal bin for measurement. The new house is a little smaller than the old but not quite as well inlulated (yet). I has been a surprise to me in this relatively mild weather that I continue to burn about 2 skutles full per day. The same as in my old house. At the rate of depletion of the coal in the bin, I would say I am on track to use my usual 2 to 2-1/2 tons of coal this year.

With all the variables this is a very unscientific observation, but I would say I am burning about the same as last year also.

I am burning pretty much the same as always I would guess. The problem with coal is that you need to keep a certain temp fire at all times to run it properly. So you have to burn a certain critical mass in order for the fire to last and burn completely. The warmer days it does seem like a waste to burn it but the only option is let it go out. And it is too depressing for me to look at a cold coal stove. I just love the warm radiant heat too much. Hate it when it goes out and the cellar turns cold. Like losing a close friend.

VIn.

I am using about the same. I think part of the reason is with no snow to insulate the house better. last year at this pont in the season I had 3ft of snow on all portions of the roof and like 5 ft in the valleys.not to mention the 3ft surrounding the foundation.this does not allow the cold air to come in direct contact with the roof. I believe this has a big effect on heat loss through the roof. I need to get one of those ir thermometers to verify.

I'd say I'm burning about the same.

But my house temps are warmer and more even throughout the house. Added some ductwork with fans to move air. I'm probably at a comfortable upper limit for my stove on the colder evenings so if it were colder, my house would be equally colder. But that would be fine with me, I'm still 10+ degrees warmer than I was before coal!

So since most people say "about the same", I'd guess alot of the BTU's are going up the chimney to maintain draft on the warm days.

Orrrr, one of them thar snow making machines. I hear ya about this old stone foundation being leaker then all get out. I started this w/ my ash last season. I clean it up w/ some tapping & pushing with the old back blade, but it has really helped with filling in those unfound leaks. Those are all flower beds, so when the flowers grow in ( tall in the back, shorter in the front) you can't see the ash--not that the 3 trucks that pass here on a daily basis ( 2 milk tankers) really give a crap. I know, I know, I've got some gray paint touchin up to do in the spring. And yea, I'm gonna form up around the basement windows.

Well this makes me feel a little better knowing that most of the answers are (using the same). Thought I was doing something wrong when I was reading that people are using a ton or two less this year and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong to be using the same as last winter or maybe a touch less. Well I guess as long as everyone is cozy that is all that counts along with shafting the oil and gas companies.

I'm using way more this year. I had no coal stove last year (just amusing myself )