Noobie's First Coal Stove Fire...

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 4:33 pm

Finally got the TLC2000 installed today and got her lit. Here's the first dancing blue ladies!

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 4:38 pm

That's awesome Seagrave, nothing like the first coal fire, wish you and your family a very warm winter. Now repeat after me, "I will stop looking at other coal stoves." ha ha ha!!!

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 4:41 pm

Fantastic... Looks Awesome! Layer on coal two inches at a time, let each layer ignite before adding the next, till its built up to the top of the firebrick over the entire grate area. Yes that means a complete 9 inch depth of coal across the whole fuel bed when yer done. Then control heat output with air coming in under the grates. Does this unit have a bi metallic thermostat? Or just manual primary air controls?

What about pipe dampers? Manual or barometric?

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 4:44 pm

Looks good!

I'd guess you are opening the windows about now to help get rid of the smoky burn off and your spouse is questioning your sanity for bringing in this stinky box of metal into the house.

Fill 'er up!!

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 5:11 pm

Lightning wrote:Fantastic... Looks Awesome! Layer on coal two inches at a time, let each layer ignite before adding the next, till its built up to the top of the firebrick over the entire grate area. Yes that means a complete 9 inch depth of coal across the whole fuel bed when yer done. Then control heat output with air coming in under the grates. Does this unit have a bi metallic thermostat? Or just manual primary air controls?

What about pipe dampers? Manual or barometric?

Thanks for the tips on loading. Got the layering thing going now.

No thermostat - just a sliding air control below the fire (has upper side air controls when burning wood though).

No dampers on the pipe.

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 5:12 pm

titleist1 wrote:Looks good!

I'd guess you are opening the windows about now to help get rid of the smoky burn off and your spouse is questioning your sanity for bringing in this stinky box of metal into the house.

Fill 'er up!!

Windows are open now 'cause it is very warm!

Did the first burn when the wife was at work - planned it that way to avoid any unnecessary hairy eyeballs!

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 5:31 pm

SG, did you happen to get a couple magnetic thermometers to keep track of the pipe and stove temps?
http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-conta ... hermometer
check out the name on the gun...you gotta' buy it!

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 5:52 pm

Someone is going to be jealous ... about picturing the blue flames (someone was having problems getting a photo of 'em).

Just in time too !

Hambden Bob · Post by **Hambden Bob** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 6:31 pm

Nice Job ! Enjoy The Warmth,and enjoy getting to know the Thumbprint of Your New Coal Animal !

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Dec. 30, 2014 7:35 pm

Seagrave1963 wrote:Thanks for the tips on loading. Got the layering thing going now.

No thermostat - just a sliding air control below the fire (has upper side air controls when burning wood though).

No dampers on the pipe.

OK.. Since you don't have an automatic primary air mechanism (bi metallic thermostat) or any pipe dampers, you may notice an oscillation of heat output where it either wants to runaway (get too hot) or run cold.. But don't panic, there are easy fixes for that..

Just wanted to give you a heads up..

Stove and pipe thermometers like Mike suggested will be a big help in determining how your stove is performing.

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 7:53 am

michaelanthony wrote:SG, did you happen to get a couple magnetic thermometers to keep track of the pipe and stove temps?
http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-conta ... hermometer
check out the name on the gun...you gotta' buy it!

Yes, sir, got both.

Seagrave1963 · Post by **Seagrave1963** » Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 7:57 am

Lightning wrote:
Seagrave1963 wrote:Thanks for the tips on loading. Got the layering thing going now.

No thermostat - just a sliding air control below the fire (has upper side air controls when burning wood though).

No dampers on the pipe.
OK.. Since you don't have an automatic primary air mechanism (bi metallic thermostat) or any pipe dampers, you may notice an oscillation of heat output where it either wants to runaway (get too hot) or run cold.. But don't panic, there are easy fixes for that.. Just wanted to give you a heads up..

Stove and pipe thermometers like Mike suggested will be a big help in determining how your stove is performing.

Thanks for the heads-up. Will keep an eye out for that and search this great forum for solutions!

Would not have and could not have gotten into coal without the great info here on NEPA! THANK YOU!

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 8:13 am

Seagrave1963 wrote:
michaelanthony wrote:SG, did you happen to get a couple magnetic thermometers to keep track of the pipe and stove temps?
http://www.amazon.com/Nubee-Temperature-Non-conta ... hermometer
check out the name on the gun...you gotta' buy it!
Yes, sir, got both.

Excellent, starting out on the right foot...good job you are ready for diagnosing any issues that may occur.
Mike.

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 8:35 am

Mano and something to control the draft otherwise you are sending all that heat up the chimney. I have a MPD and a Field draft regulator and use them both to keep the heat in the stove and the house. Buy or make a poker with a 90 degree bend at the end around 2 or 3 inches long to slice under the grates should you need to clear ash the shaker can't get out. Above all don't obsess over the one match club in your first year. It is mine and shut down a couple times on purpose to make changes to the installation and once just plain lost the fire from lack of talent on my part. I am still on my training wheels and will be for the better part of this winter. Just passing along what I have figured out so far. If there is one thing I have very clear in my head at this point is after shaking down if you look at the underside of the grates and don't see bright orange all across them break out the poker and slice between them until you do. If a little burning coal falls into the ash pan so be it. Some heavy welding / fireplace gloves a must as well as this stuff is all very hot. Above all empty the ash pan religiously before it is full to the top and be kind to the grates rather than go shopping for new ones.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Wed. Dec. 31, 2014 9:20 am

You are off to a great start getting a full nights burn and no outfire!!!

So how warm was the house this morning and how nice was it walking toward the stove and feeling that wave of heat? :punk:

Noobie's First Coal Stove Fire...

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