It's time for me to "Clean up my act"!

I've got the stove working as well as I can expect ... maybe even better. Keeping in mind, that it was meant to be "supplementary heat", it did a pretty good job last night, with the temps being 1*F.. Of course the oil furnace kicked on several times, with the coal stove being drafted down. During the day, while I can tend it, the furnace doesn't run.

So, this morning, while adding coal to the stove and the sun shinning through the window, I noticed what a cloud of coal dust there was, as I shoveled from the coal pail. Since I have to do my own cleaning, and have noticed the black dust on the furniture in the stove room, I felt this should be my next "area of attention".

Since I have odd pieces of pipe and fittings, I decided to make a "pre-load" (speed loaders) container. (The muzzle loaders will know what I mean.) I made up a piece of 6" pipe X 12" long, with end cap, 45* elbow and a 5" extension. Plus, I installed a handle. The intent, is to fill this "device" outside and be able to dump it right into the stove ... no dust! Once I get the hang of it, the pre-load should "just fill" the stove.

I carry my coal in from a back building .. about 6' behind the house. If this thing works out, I'll make several of them, take them out, scoop them full and bring them inside, rather than the coal pail. I haven't tried it, yet, so am open to suggestions.





This the first mod. to the filler (even though only modified on the computer). The fill spout should have had a vertical cut.

This is what I made with a 5 gal. plastic bucket. Easy to fill & very little dust.

Oh the joys of retirement, to be able to spend my days doing things like that. I look forward to it.

Some days, I just don't do anything, because my list is so overwhelming!

I think the filler works good, however this load of nut coal sucks, as it has these chunks of rock which won't fall through the grates. .. after awhile, there is no room for coal. I have some pea left over from the last load. I threw some of that on the fire. If I can keep it going for a couple days, I figure anything, with any size to it, which is left, must be junk.

I made another "stove filler". I think, they are less work that the coal pail and shoveling in and out. And, they are definitely cleaner! I believe, each holds about 16 pounds. I feel like I'm fueling for NASCAR I like them.

I had my hands full trying to carry both of them, while full. I thought, I was going to have to make some sort of carrying caddy. Ahhh , my old canvas wood carrier works perfect.

Dallas wrote: I feel like I'm fueling for NASCAR I like them.

Just make sure you wear your flame retardant white jumpsuit while fillin' 'er up!!!