Bringing new life to my new Gem Dockash stove

Photog200 wrote:

joeq wrote:I wish I had some advice for you Randy, but I'm not familiar with "my" stove,never mind yours. I am curious about your comment with the damper behind your stove, and saying you think it's for more complete burning "after" the grates. My problem is when my grates clog with ash,(every 4-5 hrs) my fire starts to go out. If it were able to take air from above or around the grates, would it last longer? The way I see it, If it didn't pull air through the grates, the fire wouldn't burn very hot. It seems to me it would be like putting a pile of coal on the ground, and lighting it. I'm under the impression, the drafted air, being "sucked" through coal bed, is what makes it work. If your damper is above the coal bed, (not through the grates),and your grates were clogged, how would the draft fuel the fire? (maybe I'm viewing this wrong.)

What I believe the air vent/damper on the back of the stove does is just fine tune the fire. If it is getting a little to hot and you open that damper a little, it allows some air to come in through the outside of the stove where it does not pull as much through the grates. I think it also allows a bit more air to complete the combustion and burn off the gases before going up the chimney. Now, I could be wrong about that vent/damper but that is what I think it is for and that is what I was looking for clarification on. You are completely correct that the air does have to come up through the grates to have the coals burn.

Randy

Just a clarification, this damper/vent I am talking about is not the primary air intake, that does come in under the grates. This is in addition to the intake and where it is located tells me it is more for combustion before going out the chimney. However, when I opened it half way, the stove temp dropped 50° and the stack dropped 100°

This is a check damper.
It's purpose is to weaken the draft through the stove during extreme draft periods or to run the stove at a lower temperature. It reduces draft coming up through the stove by short circuiting the supply of combustion air to the fire, hence slowing the rate of combustion.
The stove is usually operated with this damper closed. With wood it is more important because it makes controlling a wood fire easier.
With coal it is used to slow down the draft.
You must also be aware that you should never go to bed with the check damper open because a draft reversal in your chimney could cause coal gas to back out into the house.
Use the check damper with care and observe the effects it has on the operation of the stove and you will soon learn when you need to use it and when not to.
It is a very helpful item if used with a knowledgeable hand.

wsherrick wrote:This is a check damper.
It's purpose is to weaken the draft through the stove during extreme draft periods or to run the stove at a lower temperature. It reduces draft coming up through the stove by short circuiting the supply of combustion air to the fire, hence slowing the rate of combustion.
The stove is usually operated with this damper closed. With wood it is more important because it makes controlling a wood fire easier.
With coal it is used to slow down the draft.
You must also be aware that you should never go to bed with the check damper open because a draft reversal in your chimney could cause coal gas to back out into the house.
Use the check damper with care and observe the effects it has on the operation of the stove and you will soon learn when you need to use it and when not to.
It is a very helpful item if used with a knowledgeable hand.

Thank you William, it is what I thought it was for but I was not sure if I was suppose to use it during "normal" operation. Thanks again for your knowledge and your willingness to share it.
Randy

Some pictures with a fire in the stove would be really nice. I want to see that big window all aglow.

wsherrick wrote:Some pictures with a fire in the stove would be really nice. I want to see that big window all aglow.

I let the fire go out tonight so I can do some more work on the stove tomorrow. When I did the refractory material the first time I used the wrong stuff, I used refractory material but was meant to just be used as a skim coat. It was very thin and has started to break apart. I found out the correct material to use and am going to install it tomorrow along with the remaining new mica glass that came in today. With any luck, I should have her back up in a day or two and will take some photos for you.

Randy

looking forward to them.

Yesterday I got the new refractory installed and cured. While I was working inside the stove, I noticed that some of the older stove cement had cracked and was coming out. This is why I was having such a hard time getting a new fire started and such long times to bring back up to temp after reloading. I chipped out all the old cement and installed all new (which is what I should have done while restoring it but it looked like it was sound)...the stove is working great again! It is amazing how important it is that all seams are sealed tight when burning coal, any cracks steal the draft from coming in under the grates. I am also trying stove size coal today and there is a difference in the heat coming off it...much hotter. It is only 18° here today so it feels good! It seems so good that have that heat back, the electric heat just does not cut it! I will try to get some photos of it running this weekend as some of you have requested.
Randy

I thought about ash disposal...what is the "proper" way of ash disposal? With wood ash I just took it out back and dumped it. I know coal ash has more sulfurs and metals in it, is there a special way we should dispose of it?

Photog200 wrote:I thought about ash disposal...what is the "proper" way of ash disposal? With wood ash I just took it out back and dumped it. I know coal ash has more sulfurs and metals in it, is there a special way we should dispose of it?

Take out back and dump it. It's not going to hurt anything.

If your lucky, you'll have a neighbor like mine, who takes my trash (ash) can to his farm, and dumps it on his dirt perimeter road.

Got a new photo taken today of the stove in operation. I think she is working out really well.

What a beauty!

dj

dlj wrote:What a beauty!

dj

Thank you dj!

that is absolutely gorgeous! nice job! enjoy the heat (and lower electric bills)

newbie in ny wrote:that is absolutely gorgeous! nice job! enjoy the heat (and lower electric bills)

Thank you newbie, I really enjoyed doing the restoration work on it and it is very rewarding when it turns out nice. When I get the extra bucks I will probably have the nickel re-plated.
Randy...the other newbie