Coal for an EFM

So what coal burns best in the 520? I've heard low ash makes big lumps, red ash burns too hot and plugs the grate. I'm about to go mobile and get a load. Just don't want to end up ruining a good thing. Would appreciate your replies. Scott

stokerscot wrote:So what coal burns best in the 520? I've heard low ash makes big lumps, red ash burns too hot and plugs the grate. I'm about to go mobile and get a load. Just don't want to end up ruining a good thing. Would appreciate your replies. Scott

If you Get the right good coal you don't have to worry it is a EFM it will burn anything low ash High ash red ash white ash the stoker won't care What size Rice or Buck are you looking for You can Burn no more then 10% over the size of rice & no more then 15% under the size Look in the Manual


http://www.efmheating.com/manuals/DF520%20Manual.pdf

Farmers burn 50/50 rice coal and corn in the stoker without any problems. I know that some people burn buckwheat coal, and this should work in the winter, but it's harder on the worms and the drive mechanisms, which is why efm doesn't recommend it.

Most of my customers used rice with EFM's.

As far as what type I don't think that should be an issue as long as you're not trying to burn rocks.

I've heard low ash makes big lumps, red ash burns too hot and plugs the grate

It's not the low ash that makes clinkers just some low ash/ red ash makes big clinkers, can't help you there as I'm not familiar with the different sources however if you get a low ash/white ash this won't be an issue. Coal berner would probably have a suggestion on where to get "clinkerless" red ash as that is hi neck of the woods if that's where you are getting it.

hey scott how was that bagged rice burning & did they have any more?
I need to make another run this week

I would burn the cheapest rice coal you can find. I tried the expensive bagged Blaschak and it doesn't burn any better than the no-name stuff.

Found this "farmer guy" who sells it bagged for $10 a ton more than loose. In Grain bags.Much cheaper than anyone else. Easier to handle, and recycles the bags. He has the Blashack Bags for $20 more /ton than grain bags. Guess he knows some other "farmer guys" down in Pa. Stay warm, getting snow for a couple days. Scott