Need Opinion on a Small Problem

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Waswood
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS 160

Post by Waswood » Mon. Dec. 21, 2015 5:24 pm

Question. I'm not sure if this is a problem but I think it's an ash buildup. My DS 160 is burning right along but I notice there's corners that are not burning sometimes. I have been shaking it about 2x a day and topping it off . Sometimes this is almost 1/2 the firebox . I'm not sure but I think it's ash under the grates in certain spots that may be clogged up some? I have taken a rod and mixed up the coal some and it seemed like fine material towards the grates . Some of the area had burning coal underneath and some area didn't . The back of the box seems the most problem area. I shake until burning coal falls out. is there something I'm doing wrong or should check? Or is this normal?

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Mon. Dec. 21, 2015 5:34 pm

Shake the grates, then jab your poker tool into the fuel bed at a 45 degree angle and heave the coal upwards so that ash can fall towards the grates. Don't mix it. Then shake the grates a second time.

I call it the "double shake and heave" technique lol

 
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2001Sierra
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Post by 2001Sierra » Mon. Dec. 21, 2015 5:51 pm

Ash build up can be an issue with almost any stove using a shaker. Rocking grates can jam and if you are too aggressive you can "dump" a fire if you are too aggressive. There are almost always "dead" spots where ash accumulates over time. If it gets too great there is nothing like a shutdown, clean out, and relight. Sorry single match folks yes I said it :oops:

 
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Cap
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Post by Cap » Mon. Dec. 21, 2015 6:52 pm

Hand fired ash buildup is common. We all learn the tricks that work for each of us. No coal fire like a new coal fire. Best advice I can give, get a real hot fire going, add fresh coal and then shake the best you can. In that order...

 
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davidmcbeth3
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Post by davidmcbeth3 » Mon. Dec. 21, 2015 11:24 pm

I occasionally see this .... I let the fire go low (but not out) and then just scoop out the area with my small fireplace shovel. Sometimes huge clinkers !


 
Waswood
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Post by Waswood » Tue. Dec. 22, 2015 5:23 am

Thanks for the replies. I worked on it last night at bedtime and it seemed to help . I had a pretty decent fire this morning again. Just a little in the corners that wasn't glowing but overall not bad I thought. Here's a pic of this morning.

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davidmcbeth3
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Post by davidmcbeth3 » Tue. Dec. 22, 2015 11:26 am

That looks good.

 
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63roundbadge
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Post by 63roundbadge » Wed. Dec. 23, 2015 6:15 pm

Dead corners are my way to throttle down the temp on warm days. I don't poke down the corners unless I need higher output. I found my Kodiak output temp easy to regulate this way. But that's just me...

 
ddahlgren
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Post by ddahlgren » Wed. Dec. 23, 2015 11:39 pm

I have found a very fine line between playing with ash to cut down heat and losing the fire with the 404 it just wants to burn with little ash.

 
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oliver power
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Post by oliver power » Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 6:44 am

Your problem sounds very familiar, going by my recent D.S. experience :lol: . The D.S. likes to be shaken every 12 hours, and don't go by the glow in the ash pan. Go by the coal bed, looking through the front glass. The glow will show up in the ash pan once tended 2 or 3 times. I don't know if you have a hopper, or not. Without poking, your coal bed will drop when shaking. Once dropped to a certain point, STOP! Add coal, and walk away, (as KingCoal put it). Pea Coal in the hopper works GREAT as a gauge. It flows out nice, and even over the hot coals as you're shaking. You STOP shaking just before covering ALL the hot coals. Leave a red line of glowing coals showing. You won't see a glow in the ash pan for 2 or 3 tending periods. But, it will show up. If you don't have a hopper, you just need to get the feel for it. I've done this as per KingCoal's directions, and have had GREAT results. A little different tending method than other coal stoves......, but works. So, do what you have to in order to get a new like fire going. Come 12 hour tending time (and not before that), shake looking through the front glass. The fire bed will drop 2 or 3 inched, STOP! Never mind looking for ash pan glow. Add coal, and walk away. Repeat in 12 hours. Do not touch before 12 hours. In 12 hours, repeat process. Should not have to poke. No Poking. Just shake, add coal, and walk away :) .
Last edited by oliver power on Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 11:59 am, edited 2 times in total.


 
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Badger Freezer
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Post by Badger Freezer » Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 9:02 am

Every bit of advise given here works. If you are still concerned with 'dead' corners, try loading only the corners heavy but not the center and let the weight of the fresh coal force the excess ash down. Just alternate the area you load until you get the fire even in your opinion. Don't get that fire too hot or you'll get clinkers in that ash and clinker bridging is a real pain.
As was mentioned, you have to get a feel for your stove and only you can be the best judge of the quality of fire you desire.

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 9:16 am

Not to kick over a dung heap,but it seems that everything being described here by Was was simply a small dilemma faced by Box Stove Users. There's always been a qualified argument over Cylindrical (Round) shaped Stoves vs. Box(Square/Rectangular) and their respective burn and coal bed characteristics. Hell,it's even carried over to flu shape. Myself,I wouldn't worry. Just add to Your coal bed maintenance a corner routine to accomodate it all. They're excellent heat-makers,but like anything else,the tips and tricks of operating that Puppy that You're learning here can minimize cold or ash burdened corners......Just my two cents,and as Sting would say,Your results may differ ! :cheers:

 
Waswood
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Post by Waswood » Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 9:25 am

Thanks fellas , All the replies gave me ideals to accomplish a more even burn. I was glad to hear I wasn't the only one that has experienced the dead spots .

 
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Hambden Bob
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Post by Hambden Bob » Thu. Dec. 24, 2015 9:46 am

Heck,Was,You've got a Great Stove ! You're just a Good Man tryin' to fly it right ! Taking the time to learn that Heat Monster was the best adventure You've embarked upon to make the Black Rocks work for You and Your's ! Merry Christmas,Mister ! :up:

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