Hints From Heloise -- Coal Scuttle

The coal scuttle does not work well for filling my Harman Mark I. It is one of those lopsided bucket things, but it is too large compared to the loading door and its spout is not long enough and not angled right. I bought some 2-foot sections of 6-inch stove pipe, capped one end, and at the midpoint I bolted on a handle like you would use to lift a bulkhead door. I flattened the open end of the pipes just a little by squeezing. I use the pipes to reload the stove. They fit nicely through the door. Each pipe holds 20 pounds of coal, which is about right for recharging the stove after a 12-hour burn. I fill several pipes at a time and just stand them behind the stove so they'll be there when I need them. I used black pipe, so they are not unattractive (my stove is in the living room), though maybe not up to Martha Stewart standards.

I need to remove the end caps and replace them using some silicone sealant, because coal dust tends to sift out and soil my lily-white hands when reloading the stove.

One of my buddies uses the large, galvanized feed scoops for the same purpose. Similar idea, less quantity per scoop.

Here's another style of scuttle that I imagine looks just like what you built for a whole lot less $$$$

http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Fireplace-Accessori ... al-Scuttle

There are probably some, who don't know how to use the "coal scuttle" on a front loading stove. Most can be "shoveled from", however they can be used to "toss the coal" into the fire. Kind of like bailing water with a bucket. ... sling it toward the loading opening and then suddenly stop the motion, allowing the coal to "keep going" into the fire. Then allow the remaining coal to settle to the bottom of the scuttle and repeat the motion. You don't have to "pour the coal".

Yeah, I used to use the slinging method. But it was hard to place the coal where I wanted it, and on every good sling the bucket would hit the front of the stove and make a lot of racket. It seemed uncouth.

It can take years of practice. .. kinda like spitting tobacco juice into a coffee can on the floor.

Off-topic but I can hit 5 gallon bucket with shovel of coal from about 20 feet. Lose maybe 5% Left or righty.

Still off topic, But I can spit tobacco juice into a coffee can at 5 ft and never miss.
But sometimes there is no can and you just have to swollow it.

BinDerDunDat

Tossing coal, shooting baskets ... if you stop to think about it you will miss, but if you just look and shoot, in it goes. Same for walking and breathing, conscious thought about the process just messes things up. Conclusion: with coal burners and b-ball players intelligence just gets in the way. Probably the same for spitting tobacco juice, but I don't plan to find out. Yuck.