Smoke in bin

I'm getting a lot of smoke in the bin, and this is new. Any idea how this can happen? I'm going to shut it down tonight and take it apart. I noticed the pot is not burning evenly so maybe something is stuck in the auger?

Dave

would seem to be more of a draft issue than something stuck in the auger correct?

If the smoke can't exit up the flue it'll choose the next path of least resistance...

maybe something stuck in the flue, Are the tubes clean in the boiler? Might want to check your baro damper if using one for motion.

I checked the draft, and its -.04 warm. I'll have to go check the flue tomorrow. Thanks!

If you are burning rice and you have the full length pipe, I would look at the stoker air setting and then try to determine if your feed pipe is empty/partially empty because of a blockage at the end of the pipe.

Sounds like the coal may have bridged, or isn't feeding through the tube correctly. Also make sure that you don't have bunch of holes plugged in the burner plates, and that the holes in the burner pipe are open.

I took everything apart last night. I didn't see anything in the coal I dumped out of the tubes, but there wasn't much coal in the tube. I have too much coal in my bin to empty it, but once I burn off more I will check for obstructions in the bin. I found 8-9 large golf ball size chunks of coal along with some big pieces of rusted metal pieces last time I emptied the bin. I need to filter the coal when I dump the bags. I don't want to empty the bin since the coal is all wet, and it stains my floors, sneakers, jeans, shirts, etc..

Since I had it all apart last night, I straightened the upper auger a bit and I ground off some of the metal in the burner inlet so the upper pipe fit properly. I also sanded a bit of the pipe so it inserted without too much force. I unclogged some of the holes in the burner plates due to the wet coal. I also increase the timer on time, but left the coal feed rate at 4 with 4 air setting. I changed the damper to increase the draft too. It seems to be good now, but will check the chimney this weekend.

I always panic when the heat stops working! It looks like Sandy came through my work shop where the EFM is located. I have coal and tools all over.

I set the metal gear oil holder aside on the floor when I took the upper auger out, and put it in against the wall so I would step on it. Well, I set my broom on top if it without realizing it, then started to sweep up. Spread gear oil all over the floor. Stuff is thick.

Thanks for your help!

Dave

daluds wrote:I took everything apart last night. I didn't see anything in the coal I dumped out of the tubes, but there wasn't much coal in the tube. I have too much coal in my bin to empty it, but once I burn off more I will check for obstructions in the bin. I found 8-9 large golf ball size chunks of coal along with some big pieces of rusted metal pieces last time I emptied the bin. I need to filter the coal when I dump the bags. I don't want to empty the bin since the coal is all wet, and it stains my floors, sneakers, jeans, shirts, etc..

Since I had it all apart last night, I straightened the upper auger a bit and I ground off some of the metal in the burner inlet so the upper pipe fit properly. I also sanded a bit of the pipe so it inserted without too much force. I unclogged some of the holes in the burner plates due to the wet coal. I also increase the timer on time, but left the coal feed rate at 4 with 4 air setting. I changed the damper to increase the draft too. It seems to be good now, but will check the chimney this weekend.

I always panic when the heat stops working! It looks like Sandy came through my work shop where the EFM is located. I have coal and tools all over.

I set the metal gear oil holder aside on the floor when I took the upper auger out, and put it in against the wall so I would step on it. Well, I set my broom on top if it without realizing it, then started to sweep up. Spread gear oil all over the floor. Stuff is thick.

Thanks for your help!

Dave

Lots of things going on here. The oversized pieces of coal probably caused a feeding problem and allowed combustion air to go back down the tube. Plugged holes in the burner plates will make that issue worse, as the air can't go where it is supposed to. Your coal needs to be screened, and you need to somehow get it drained.

Straightened the auger??!! If the auger was bent, it should be replaced...period. A bent auger will ruin the bushings, and can cause strange feeding problems.

Rob,

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping not to have to take this apart again, but still having problems with it. The wet coal creates a mess. Here is what I'll work on.

1) Empty the coal bin and check for coal chucks.
2) Drill more drain holes in coal bin.
3) Buy replacement upper auger
4) Check plate positions in burner.

I replaced the bushing, and believe it was worn out due to slight bend in the upper auger. It was damaged when I received the boiler. The dealer straigthened the auger in his work shop.

Thanks,

Dave

Hummmm... I am having the same issue with a little bit of smoke coming out the auger tube and up through the coal bin. I oil my coal so I thought it might be some of the oil coming out. I am using the upper tube and of course a full bin auger. Coal is not wet but is oiled. UAE Rice. I got a lot of smoke when I was burning 50/50 prune pits and coal but figured it was because the pits did not pack as tight in the tube. The auger tube is not warm/hot so I know I do not have an auger fire going on.

Glenn

I have run oiled coal in mine with no smoke issues, I think your problem is the prune pits. These units run so nice with anthracite...why mess with a good thing?

Sell the prune pits to someone with a pellet stove, and buy more coal with the proceeds.

Eh... Cheaper ect. Anyway I also get smoke with my coal as well. Only faint whisps but it is still there when I burn just coal.

Thanks again,
Glenn

Prune pits??? Why not Peach Pits--I mean, you do live in Peach Bottom.

grobinson2 wrote:Eh... Cheaper ect. Anyway I also get smoke with my coal as well. Only faint whisps but it is still there when I burn just coal.

Thanks again,
Glenn

That is not right. Are you sure your pot auger was put in with the holes facing up? Having those holes properly positioned in the pot is critical to avoiding fumes/smoke in the auger pipe. Have you checked the over-fire draft?

Peach pits sounds like a great idea... I am sure they will feed in that 2" auger very much like nut coal. On the plus side, no smoke.... Or fire. . As for how the auger is positioned I will have to check on Wednesday when I have off.

Thanks,
Glenn

auger pipe