Hopper Burn Grate Question..Fire Burning Way Back

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btrowe1
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska stoker 140 Coal

Post by btrowe1 » Sun. Oct. 20, 2013 5:58 pm

Lit my stove today, was burning very well, I went down to check on it and found the fire to be burning way back on the grate up to the paddle. The area connecting the hopper to the burn plate was also glowing red, never have seen this before. Thought I had a hopper fire going.I shut her down and letting it cool.

I did take the grate off the unit this past season during the cleaning , I think I may not have a proper seal on the back of the grate and am getting air up through the back making the burn area longer.

Going to take her all apart tomorrow after she cools down, I have a full hopper also, guess I'm gonna need to empty that.

just looking to see if anyone has seen something like this before and if I am on the right train of thought.

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Sun. Oct. 20, 2013 8:33 pm

You are on the right track. There is a stongback gasket at the rear of the grate. If that is not in properly it will allow air in at that point. Air+heat+coal equals fire no matter where on the grate it occurs. Make sure that gasket is in good shape and in where it's supposed to be.

Rev. Larry

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Sun. Oct. 20, 2013 9:03 pm

When that little guy on your shoulder says "it might have an air leak"...it probably does. Tear it down and reseal as needed. Report back with the results.

 
Badog
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Post by Badog » Mon. Oct. 21, 2013 9:48 am

No need to remove the hopper. Just replace the strong back gasket and seal everything with furnace cement and you will be good to go.


 
btrowe1
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska stoker 140 Coal

Post by btrowe1 » Mon. Oct. 21, 2013 6:21 pm

Yup, that was the problem, grate was a tad bit loose and not fully set back, used some hi temp gasket seal for fireplaces and am presently waiting for it to harden up.

Says to use a low fire to set curing process, yeah right, it's the burn grate and at the back of the grate.. Will do my best to keep it low.Think I'll let it sit all night, tomorrow supposed to be cold and nasty, perfect conditions to lite her up.

I needed to empty the hopper of coal, 240 Lbs now in plastic bins.it kept coming past the paddle.

Must remember RULE #1, When lighting fire for 1st time of the year make sure bin is not completely FULL of coal in case of problems..

rthank you for confirming what I thought, your a great bunch of people with vast knowledge waiting to be tapped.. Thanks again..

 
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blrman07
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Post by blrman07 » Mon. Oct. 21, 2013 10:29 pm

Pop back in and let us know for sure if that solved the problem. With that gasket in place topped with some furnace cement you should be warm and toasty without problems this time tomorrow.

Rev. Larry

 
btrowe1
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Posts: 174
Joined: Sun. Aug. 24, 2008 11:29 am
Location: South Glens Falls ny
Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Alaska stoker 140 Coal

Post by btrowe1 » Tue. Oct. 22, 2013 7:25 pm

Rev. Larry..

All good to go, lit her up a bit ago, have been alternating between hi and low fire settings,(for the curing of the cement :) ) Just dropped her to idle and no back of grate fire action. :D :D

Just placed the thermostat to automatic action, programmed settings for the early season burn, after we get into the cold season I'll just set it and forget it.

Boy A LOT cooler in here this time.She was just a burning like a wild fire the other day..

Thank you all for your Help.. :D

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