Crane 404 and Clinkers

J F Graham wrote:

Rob R. wrote:Coal source can have a lot to do with it.

I am experiencing pretty much the same thing in my Harman. And was wondering what the cause could be. Last year I burnt Blaschak, and didn't seem to have any issues. This year I'm burning Reading nut; which is loaded with fines. Some of the clinkers are larger than a baseball. The only other thing I'm doing is poking and raking more from the top. Could it just be the product?
Jim

Yes, it can be the product. That's the primary reason I won't burn Reading unless there is no option. I find that Blaschak gives me a much smoother burn with fewer fines and less debris in the bags. Lisa

I am burning Blaschack had the most trouble with 100% Kimmels.
Does the Harman have the same sort of grate that goes up and down as my Crane does?

We went from private label bagged Blashack to bulk Reading,less fines by far,much more consistent sizing,so far we are very happy with the results. dd,do you FILL your stove with as much coal as will fit B4 shaking ? I generally load it very full,then shake,sometimes just shaking is sufficient,other times I shake & poke from below.I figure the more weight on top helps push the ash out the bottom when shaking.I DO NOT POKE FROM ABOVE,only from below. These 404 grates move up & down & front to back & also lift the fire pot a bit each time which helps settle the coal.I think this grate system would be perfect if it would go front to back more than it does,maybe add a 1/4-3/8" longer stroke. I have tried the super fast short choppy strokes that I think dcrane suggested ,but I prefer the slower,end of stroke to end of stroke method as it seems to work well for me.Maybe my stove works so well because I don't know better ? never had anything better ? Maybe I still think like a farmer & not thinking of the science of it but rather do what works the easiest & KEEP IT SENSIBLY SIMPLE

It will be due for tending around 9 to 10 am and will give a try though I add a scoop or two when needs to be topped off as I am running it hard as cold and windy here, still blowing 15 to 20 and 19 degrees. Going through about 60 lbs a day at the current rate. Being a science guy will try both ways at the same time do a poke and slice on one side before shaking and do after shaking on the other to get an idea by how much ash in the pan on each side. The short answer is yes before shaking the fire box always full and burning well before doing anything.

Tried both ways to tender stove both is add coal, usually 2 to 3 scoops, get up to temp with ash pan door open takes only a few minutes.

First way shake then slice grates until bright orange add more coal if needed.
Second way poke and slice from under side then shake let run for a few minutes with ash pad door open check grates and touch up as needed then add more coal if needed.

The results are simple doing it the second way I get twice as much ash and all fine on first time with slicing and clinkers that were starting to form on the touch up. With the first slice I end up going up under the burning coal a good bit and fine ash is still falling. The shake makes that coal fall down making room for more coal. It may not work for everyone but my stove on Blaschack burning 2 1/2 pounds per hour at 550 to 600 if bitter cold at night it does. If I get more ash the second way burning the same amount of coal and it is finer it makes me think I am doing a better job of keeping ahead of the ash buildup and possible clinkers. Right or wrong works for me.

I add coal letting it thump in pretty good. Open ash door. Slice up between grates. Let ash door stay open for 5 minutes. I get a lot more ash doing this than any other way with my stove and the coal I am using. Hey it works for me.....

blrman07 wrote:I add coal letting it thump in pretty good. Open ash door. Slice up between grates. Let ash door stay open for 5 minutes. I get a lot more ash doing this than any other way with my stove and the coal I am using. Hey it works for me.....

Sounds like the same way I do it.