First Coal Stove

Jmb02 wrote:So being that I question everything ... how hot does anthracite burn? I have this fluke 566 ir thermometer, which reads from -454 to 2501 degrees f. When I shoot the red hot coal Bed with it, it errors out.

My gun tops out around 800, but I think all read best on non reflective surfaces.

This thread should answer the question.
What Temperature Does Anthracite Burn at?

franco b wrote:This thread should answer the question.
What Temperature Does Anthracite Burn at?

Thanks Franco!

Just got done loading the stove. Ever since I followed the advice you guys gave me, she's been running like a song.

Nice to hear from you. That's a nice looking fire in a great looking stove. I realize it's kind of warm for February but don't forget you can fill these stoves from the top of the front grill to just below the top of the rear fire bricks...when I do this I can go 24 - 36 hrs or more with the temp adjustment straight up and the stove cruzin' about 350

Mike

Was getting ready for bed last night and told my wife I had to do the "stove chores" before going up. She looked at me and said "It's about time. The last time you touched the stove was last night."

Sundays for me can get pretty crazy starting at about 5 AM with last minute sermon organizing, timing the sermon, and trying to make sure everything goes the way it should. This was also the last Sunday of the month and we have pot luck luncheons which was on my mind also. This equates to I forgot to do the 7 AM morning tending like I normally do.

Then I realzied she was right that it had been over 24 hours since I last de-ashed and loaded the stove.

I didn't notice it because it was still putting out satisfactory heat.

I love my VC II coal stove.

Amen.

I've had a fire continuously burning since mid December. Is there any need to let the fire die and dissassemble/clean the stove before spring, or should I just keep it rolling? Average burn is about 16 lbs per day.

If you're not havin any problems--NOPE!!!!!!!!!!!! Bein's I'm burnin around 40 lb per 24 hrs & I'm real happy heatin 2200 sq. of 200 yr old farm house

I agree! The couple of times that I have shut down (winter vacation) I have found it to be unnecessary. As long as you are opening the damper when shaking, and have a good draft, you will find very little ash in the clean out ports.

I am only heating my sunroom and pretty much kill the fire at night and during the day while we're at work. It only retains enough heat to start the fire again when we get home. I didn't know if this would clog up the exhaust ports. The entire cavity was plugged when I bought it off the guy. I couldn't believe it. He did say that he was the original owner though and never disassembled it for cleaning since it was bought in 1992. I still cannot believe this beaut is almost as old as me.

Jmb02 wrote:I am only heating my sunroom and pretty much kill the fire at night and during the day while we're at work. It only retains enough heat to start the fire again when we get home. I didn't know if this would clog up the exhaust ports. The entire cavity was plugged when I bought it off the guy. I couldn't believe it. He did say that he was the original owner though and never disassembled it for cleaning since it was bought in 1992. I still cannot believe this beaut is almost as old as me.

If you want you can let the fire ash up but still have plenty of coals burning above. With the stove in direct draft and a long pair of pliers and leather work gloves, take out the side clean out covers and vacuum 1 at a time. The big layer of ash on the grates with protect your hands. I have done this in the past and have kept the stove going as long as I want or need. The stove is not only bullet proof, it's nice to look at too. Keep in mind, the back plate should be removed and cleaned when you're done for the season.

michaelanthony wrote:

Jmb02 wrote:I am only heating my sunroom and pretty much kill the fire at night and during the day while we're at work. It only retains enough heat to start the fire again when we get home. I didn't know if this would clog up the exhaust ports. The entire cavity was plugged when I bought it off the guy. I couldn't believe it. He did say that he was the original owner though and never disassembled it for cleaning since it was bought in 1992. I still cannot believe this beaut is almost as old as me.

If you want you can let the fire ash up but still have plenty of coals burning above. With the stove in direct draft and a long pair of pliers and leather work gloves, take out the side clean out covers and vacuum 1 at a time. The big layer of ash on the grates with protect your hands. I have done this in the past and have kept the stove going as long as I want or need. The stove is not only bullet proof, it's nice to look at too. Keep in mind, the back plate should be removed and cleaned when you're done for the season.

I wouldn't feel comfortable with this being that I don't have a metal can on my vacuum. That isn't a bad idea though.

I have done as MA suggests, but with a low fire. I added a LONG hose to my shop vac so that it can be outside while I vac, and then leave the vac outside until I'm comfortable with it. You will find that the ash behind the clean out plates is long ago spent! No issues with it being a fire hazard, and your stove will breathe so much better!

Rich W. wrote:I have done as MA suggests, but with a low fire. I added a LONG hose to my shop vac so that it can be outside while I vac, and then leave the vac outside until I'm comfortable with it. You will find that the ash behind the clean out plates is long ago spent! No issues with it being a fire hazard, and your stove will breathe so much better!

One yr I took my extra hose and put it on the exhaust port of the big shop vac and hung the hose out the window. I removed the filter and let 'r rip, my neighbor said my house looked like a big diesel truck pull.