Signs of Over Firing

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Mon. Jan. 05, 2015 10:39 pm

Hi Guys

What are the telltale signs of over firing, for people shopping for an antique stove?

2001Sierra · Post by **2001Sierra** » Mon. Jan. 05, 2015 10:45 pm

Warpage. Grates, and nearby castings.

steamshovel · Post by **steamshovel** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 6:23 am

PJT wrote:Hi Guys

What are the telltale signs of over firing, for people shopping for an antique stove?

if the stove is glowing red on any steel or cast part, that is overfiring
if the body of the stove itself it white, because the paint has been burned off completely, that is overfiring
the main body of the stove on front between the doors should really never be over 600 degrees. if you buy one of those creosote thermometers for a wood stove, you'll see the safe range is marked from 275F. to 575F. as safe range, above that is considered overfiring and marked as such on the thermometer face. the same basic range applies to coal stoves. mine runs best and is running right now, with 10 degree F. weather outside, at 590F. on the front face. the outlet flange on the stove is at 225F. which means 62% efficiency approx. I have tested it out and pushed it to 850F front on a few occasions just to see how it ran there, but at that rate it's eating more coal, and if the weather gets up into the 30's, it's too hot inside the house.
if your stove is in the basement, you'll have to burn it harder, and run it on the edge of overfiring, to get heat through the whole house. the harder you burn it, the sooner things wear out on the stove. it may also warp it, or crack cast iron parts.

Sunny Boy · Post by **Sunny Boy** » Tue. Jan. 06, 2015 6:58 am

Cast iron takes on a dusty purplish color to the metal, and the rust. Usually seen after it had been up to the glowing cherry red stage. About 1400-1500 F, or more.

Cast iron grates can also get lots of fine cracks and appear "swollen".

Paul

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Wed. Jan. 07, 2015 12:09 am

Thanks for the replies!

fishhead631 · Post by **fishhead631** » Fri. Jan. 09, 2015 5:17 pm

Sunny Boy wrote:Cast iron takes on a dusty purplish color to the metal, and the rust. Usually seen after it had been up to the glowing cherry red stage. About 1400-1500 F, or more.

Cast iron grates can also get lots of fine cracks and appear "swollen".

Paul

WOW, 1400-1500*F... That's scary chit...
I'd have the phone (to dial 911) and my homeowners policy (to call my agent) in my hand ready....

Stay warm guys......
Eddie

davidmcbeth3 · Post by **davidmcbeth3** » Fri. Jan. 09, 2015 7:31 pm

fishhead631 wrote:
Sunny Boy wrote:Cast iron takes on a dusty purplish color to the metal, and the rust. Usually seen after it had been up to the glowing cherry red stage. About 1400-1500 F, or more.

Cast iron grates can also get lots of fine cracks and appear "swollen".

Paul
WOW, 1400-1500*F... That's scary chit...
I'd have the phone (to dial 911) and my homeowners policy (to call my agent) in my hand ready....
Stay warm guys......
Eddie

1500F? What ya burning, aluminum, magnesium?

ddahlgren · Post by **ddahlgren** » Sat. Jan. 10, 2015 5:12 pm

I would be concerned at over half that LOL maybe I am a chicken but sure don't want to live in this old box heated by sterno LOL..

scalabro · Post by **scalabro** » Sat. Jan. 10, 2015 5:22 pm

PJT wrote:Hi Guys

What are the telltale signs of over firing, for people shopping for an antique stove?

Cracks.