An Explanation of Caring for Coal Stove in 1944

An explanation of what was involved with caring for a coal-heated home in 1943:
https://heatinghelp.com/heating-museum/heating-the-house/
Note: many stoves (like my Herald) do not have a check damper (as referred to in the article). I believe the check damper (when included) is on the elbow leading from the stove up to the stove pipe. I'm told that check dampers should be used with caution as they can allow flue gasses to escape if not monitored closely by someone with experience.
This article is not being referenced as operation instructions for your stove. The article provides a sense of what everyday life was like in 1943.

Thanks UD. Very interesting.

Paul

Yes interesting but highlights what had been forgotten that was learned in years past in the best stoves. Ignorance became institutionalized and well built crap was the norm.

Thanx ! A Very Interesting Look Back ! This was published during a Time Of Total War,where the Outcome for Our Country still hung in the Balance.....All Resources were being poured into Manufacturing,Weapons Development and Combat Support......Anthracite was on The Move,and so were the Miners and Mines.....I'm going to take some more time and reread this....Thanx Again !

Nice collection from another member here...

Old Coal Firing Techniques

Thanks for re-posting these links.

Cool! Great wisdom that our parents and grandparents used to live by!

That was a nice read. Every little bit of info makes us understand everything that much better. Thank you. I need all the help I can get to catch up with the rest of ya.

good stuff, thanks

I find it hilarious that I am struggling to figure out things that a 4'th grader knew in 1920's yet dive into complicated electronics system and run cad / cam systems to program the machines go figure..

I enjoyed the read but it seemed rather counterintuitive after everything I've learned about burning coal. Put the coal in first and then the kindling on top?

My take on this (coal in first) is that they want something below the active coals to restrict the draft. I thought that's why they said " or better yet, if you have it, a 2" bed of ashes from last year." So the purpose of the base layer is to support the paper and kindling so that when the kindling and paper are burning strongly, fresh coal can be tossed in (and come in contact with the hot embers and flames). And the coal/ashes below temper the fire (as it builds) giving better control on startup. I'm really just guessing and not speaking from experience.

My box stove makes enuff ash on its own. I don't know about throwing more in from the beginning. I started another fire tonite, for the 1st time in a week. And once again, the match-light worked perfectly. I don't think they had this luxury back during the "Big One".

McGiever wrote:Nice collection from another member here...

Old Coal Firing Techniques

Cool set of articles I wonder how many home fix up guys eve has a clue as to who LS Starret is or Brown and Sharpe. I have a set of Starret's finest that have to be 60 to 80 years old with standards and still spot on. I bought them from a retired machinist 30 some years ago and when we were talking about price and told him I was opening my own shop and would put them to good use he treated me very kindly. They still have his initials electric penciled on them and smile when I see them.

tmbrddl wrote:I enjoyed the read but it seemed rather counterintuitive after everything I've learned about burning coal. Put the coal in first and then the kindling on top?

This is a fire building technique that is commonly used with fire pits as well as others. This will keep the hot burning wood off the grates and slow down the draft a bit through the grates. You start the fire and as it's burning you add the coal just like you normally would. IMHO it gives you better control of a start-up fire. Since I read this I tried it with the Oak stove we have on the second floor in the church and it works pretty good. I can get a fire going with less wood, less muss and fuss. It also lites off the base coal and it appears to give you a working fire a bit quicker and with a bit more control. I also tried it with my VC2310 and it worked pretty good.

One Sunday morning when I was lighting the stove using this technique I thought I heard the Oak stove sigh and say "Finally!!" but I can't be sure. It could have been the 100 year old building sighing, moaning, popping and groaning.

Or I just made it all up and am applying the principle of anthropomorphism. This is your word for the day. (I remembered the term but had to look up the spelling.)