How to Light a Hand Fired Coal Stove

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 8:49 pm

MidnightMadman wrote:Yes it is filled and burning. I will get the items tomorrow.

Good job!! You should be all set until tomorrow then. Just check it in about an hour an adjust the air controls for the temp you want to maintain overnight.

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 8:50 pm

I plugged just the smoke detector back in and it went off a few min. later. Hopefully that means it was the smoke making the other one go off also.
I wonder if there is a different tone or beep pattern for the built in house alarm for carbon. or smoke? Now I am paranoid.

Hey, in an emergency, how do I ever get this thing to stop burning?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 9:12 pm

MidnightMadman wrote:I plugged just the smoke detector back in and it went off a few min. later. Hopefully that means it was the smoke making the other one go off also.
I wonder if there is a different tone or beep pattern for the built in house alarm for carbon. or smoke? Now I am paranoid.

Some walmarts are open 24 hrs....see if you can buy one tonight for your peace of mind. I'm guessing it's smoke but I'm not willing to bet your life on it!

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 9:22 pm

Devil505 wrote:
MidnightMadman wrote:I plugged just the smoke detector back in and it went off a few min. later. Hopefully that means it was the smoke making the other one go off also.
I wonder if there is a different tone or beep pattern for the built in house alarm for carbon. or smoke? Now I am paranoid.
Some walmarts are open 24 hrs....see if you can buy one tonight for your peace of mind. I'm guessing it's smoke but I'm not willing to bet your life on it!

Good idea. I am going to call them now.

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 9:24 pm

Im on my way. Im going to get dressed. Can someone tell me the best one I can buy there?
here is a link.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search ... &Find=Find

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 9:34 pm

I like the Kidde's but see if they have one with a digital # readout....If not, any of them will work...See if they have a stove thermomter too

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 9:35 pm

Ok. does the one with the readout have an alarm? nevermind.. im on my way

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 10:57 pm

Im back... 0 Carbon Monoxide reading!!
They didnt have the thermometer, but my basement is now 80 degrees! I closed the air slots down to 1/4 way it was open half.

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 11:05 pm

MidnightMadman wrote:Im back... 0 Carbon Monoxide reading!!
They didnt have the thermometer, but my basement is now 80 degrees! I closed the air slots down to 1/4 way it was open half.

Good....I would just top of the stove (few hand shovels) & call it a night.

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 11:06 pm

Thanks for all your help tonight!

If I want to cool this thing down a little how far should I close the vents? my room thermo is buried!

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 11:11 pm

MidnightMadman wrote:Thanks for all your help tonight!

If I want to cool this thing down a little how far should I close the vents? my room thermo is buried!

That's why you need a stove thermo.......We're just guessing right now....plus...what stove temp works in my house probably will not be the ideal stove temp for your house. You'll learn with experience roughly what stove temp keeps your house comfortable at what outdoor temp.

You're quite welcome!

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 11:15 pm

When I top it off now, do I need to open up the vents for a little while or will it burn fine with them only 1/4 open?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Dec. 07, 2008 11:31 pm

MidnightMadman wrote:When I top it off now, do I need to open up the vents for a little while or will it burn fine with them only 1/4 open?

Nope ....just open the load door & spread a few shovels across the top...& then close the load door. Don't disturb the fire at all....it knows what to do!

MidnightMadman · Post by **MidnightMadman** » Mon. Dec. 08, 2008 8:32 am

TIME FOR A SHAKEDOWN! So my coal looks about 1" lower then when I left it at about 11:30 last night. Should I add more? How do I know when to shake it on down?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Mon. Dec. 08, 2008 8:56 am

MidnightMadman wrote:TIME FOR A SHAKEDOWN! So my coal looks about 1" lower then when I left it at about 11:30 last night. Should I add more? How do I know when to shake it on down?

Yes ,shake it down & refill it like you did last night....1/2 coal bed at a time. (*should go very quickly now in the cold weather...Maybe 10-20 minutes to fill.
As far as the shake down is concerned, give it some short, jerky shakes just until you see some embers falluing into the ash pan....then stop shaking!!
I would generally plan on 2 shake downs a day, while adding a few hand shovels of coal every 4-6 hrs if someone is around to do so. (Don't shake down or touch the fire when you are doing these "salting" additions. They are just meant to keep your coal bed fresh & preventing you from ever having to "Save" am almost dead fire)

You need to get a stove thermometer too.....They are cheap, available at hardware, stove shops, lowes,etc...& you can't really regulate your stove without one.