Cold Air Return. Do I Need It?

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 6:58 pm

I don't think Berlin likes me

Post by **franco b** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 7:17 pm

You can make your own slip joint. About 8 to 10 inches of unlocked smoke pipe over the existing pipe with a filler piece slipped in to cover the gap. Two large hose clamps to hold in place. Amazon has them.

To really improve the soot you are going to have to add secondary air more efficiently. See the current thread on the subject.

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 7:26 pm

That sounds simple enough, franco.

Even for me

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 7:37 pm

larryfoster wrote:I don't think Berlin likes me

I dunno, I can't speak for Berlin.

I just went back thru the thread and I didn't see where you two had words or anything. He offered advice, but you can't do what he suggested (8 inch flue), so it appears he backed out of the discussion.

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 8:02 pm

I hope I never offended him and that it's only that he backed off when I couldn't meet his suggestion

Post by **franco b** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 8:25 pm

larryfoster wrote:That sounds simple enough, franco.

Even for me

Michaelanthony suggested using a piece of 8 inch pipe and just overlap it after cutting off the locking folds.

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Tue. Mar. 03, 2015 9:42 pm

I swear that I thought I've read every post here.
Somehow, I must have missed that one.

Sorry, Michael

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 6:27 am

larryfoster wrote:I swear that I thought I've read every post here.
Somehow, I must have missed that one.

Sorry, Michael

...no worries Larry, I was talking to franco b about different options, there are many

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 7:53 am

Overnight results.

Baro installed last evening.
Seems to be set at .06 or .07.

After getting it fired, set the primary air to 3-1/2 turns and the secondary to the middle

Held a good bed of coals overnight but the crust was 6" or more thick and hard.
It had burned well from the bottom

While poking it to break it up, I started to get smoke out the door.
The chimney was still clean but it was only a couple days.

The temp was around 250-275 this morning which was a lot better than I had been getting. Prior, it was very low.

As far as heat, can't really tell since it was 30 overnight.
Supposed to drop below -0- tomorrow night

Any adjustments that you'd suggest, I'd be glad to try.

Carried out 3 buckets of clinkers in only 2 days

Thank you

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:06 am

Some coal tends to clinker quicker than others. Clinkers come from burning the coal hot.

Now that you have the Baro and Mano, you want to strive for a consistent burn, instead of running the furnace up to 600 to 700 degrees then covering it. Try keeping your furnace in the 450 degree range and see if it helps with clinkering.

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:20 am

Thanks, Don.
I'll give that a try.
I think some were a result of burning out and some were just not burned but there were some pretty good clinkers in this batch.

Does it sound like I need a little more or less air?
I'm pretty happy with the temps that were there overnight.

Is the crust normal?

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:24 am

How well did the heat from the stove get distributed to the rest of the house?

Was the temp in the rest of the house better than it had been since the stove was warmer?

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:34 am

larryfoster wrote:Thanks, Don.
I'll give that a try.
I think some were a result of burning out and some were just not burned but there were some pretty good clinkers in this batch.

Does it sound like I need a little more or less air?
I'm pretty happy with the temps that were there overnight.

Is the crust normal?

The crust is normal with bit coal, I get it also.

You can start experimenting after you learn your new controls. You should be able to close the 'over the fire air' down some more after the initial volatiles (heavy smoke) burn off. That should also give you a little less crusting over. It's a fine line with bit coal, and takes lot's of practice.

larryfoster · Post by **larryfoster** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:37 am

It's hard to say, titleist1, because it was pretty warm outside.
I have always been comfortable if the temps were near 20 or above.

I should have a better idea tomorrow night when it's supposed to drop below -0-.

One thing I've noticed from the beginning was that temperature of the fire had little to do with the temperature of the rooms.

A 450 fire or a 250 fire keeps the house about the same.

Don, thanks for that info.

SWPaDon · Post by **SWPaDon** » Wed. Mar. 04, 2015 8:58 am

larryfoster wrote:It's hard to say, titleist1, because it was pretty warm outside.
I have always been comfortable if the temps were near 20 or above.

I should have a better idea tomorrow night when it's supposed to drop below -0-.

One thing I've noticed from the beginning was that temperature of the fire had little to do with the temperature of the rooms.

A 450 fire or a 250 fire keeps the house about the same.

Don, thanks for that info.

That right there will help a lot in the clinker aspect. The lower the temp, the lower the clinker rate will be. If a 250 degree stove will heat your house, then by all means keep it there.