Start up With a Road Flare...

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 8:09 am

syncmaster wrote:does anybody know how much Harman charges for a new set of grates ?

probly around a 3 month wait from what I have been reading.

They are $18.00 each. I've got a set ordered, they told me 3 weeks. We'll see.

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 8:16 am

So how long do I have to cook Rice Coal to get it to ignite using JUST MAPP GAS?

My first experience ever lighting my Channing. I tried the MAPP gas only route....didn't work....but I did empty the whole tank. After that, I used the TORCH to light my CHARCOAL which lights my COAL, works every time.

syncmaster · Post by **syncmaster** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 4:07 pm

coalkirk wrote:
syncmaster wrote:does anybody know how much Harman charges for a new set of grates ?

probly around a 3 month wait from what I have been reading.
They are $18.00 each. I've got a set ordered, they told me 3 weeks. We'll see.

Coalkirk,
did the grates on your vf3000 go bad?

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 4:25 pm

No, after 5 years of use, they look virtually new. These are for a magnum stoker I'm reconditioning to sell.

syncmaster · Post by **syncmaster** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 5:11 pm

I heard that the magnum and the VF3000 have the same stoker assembly.
do they look the same?

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 5:23 pm

It's the same exact stoker.

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Thu. Oct. 30, 2008 5:47 pm

Maybe rice starts different than pea? Maybe my huge fan makes a difference? Maybe my hot bod added to the temp? I held the Mapp flame to it for less than two minutes, shut the door & left it alone. In 15-20 min I had a full fire.

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:03 am

Maybe rice starts different than pea? Maybe my huge fan makes a difference? Maybe my hot bod added to the temp? I held the Mapp flame to it for less than two minutes, shut the door & left it alone. In 15-20 min I had a full fire.

Thats wierd, the Mapp wouldn't start it at all for me. I was posting in real time last year on my first start up, everyone told me not to bother after the failed attempts. Luckily, I had charcoal left over and ta da!
I think you have some sort of special powers or something.

Blackdiamonddoug · Post by **Blackdiamonddoug** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:26 am

news paper tiny sticks little branches start the blower 10 min rip roaring fire
it give me something to due with my fallen branches.
BDD

Gaptooth · Post by **Gaptooth** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 10:42 am

My method: two pieces of matchlite crushed on some newspaper. Roll it up, put on grate, light it, cover with a shovelfull of coal, and hit the fan. As long as there are some embers underneath it will take off. Almost melted my firestop because it lit quicker than I thought it would.

ablumny · Post by **ablumny** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:42 pm

Well I tried it. Wasn't as easy as hoped but in the end it worked......

Ed.A · Post by **Ed.A** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:53 pm

Thanks for the vid

We all learn from our own experinces. That said, I think we can all say being Patcient is the key.

LsFarm · Post by **LsFarm** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 8:58 pm

LsFarm wrote:A road flare burning on the grate will not harm it.. the heat is not as hot as the hot burning rice coal..

I cut 2-3" pieces, hold it with a pair of pliers, light each end, set on grate and cover with a cup or handfull of coal,, start the combustion blower,, in 10 minutes you have a fire.. It might be 'fun' to use some cowboy coal or some wood shavings or chip with the piece of road flare.

Greg l
.

NOTE:: I said, light both ends and set on grate, NOT ON A PILE OF COAL, on the grate, then cover with a handful of coal,, make sure you have the combustion fan on.. it will start. I've never had to do it more than once..

Greg L.

traderfjp · Post by **traderfjp** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 9:35 pm

Awesome video and a great starter for newbies who want to light a stove. I wonder if you could have lit the stove with a smaller piece of road flare. Your video should definetely be a sticky since many new users have so many problems starting a coal fire. It sounded like your kids were having more fun then you. Who said coal can't be fun anyway. Also, new users should also understand that if you are starting with a coal mice you need to bury too. Can't wait to see the gun powder next.

gambler · Post by **gambler** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2008 9:41 pm

You must have some bad or really cheap flares. I have used them in the past and the ones that I had I could light with a regular lighter.

I use the cowboy charcoal now with a strike a fire fire starter. Works very well and does not stink up the house because it works every time and you don't have to open the door to try it again letting all of the flare stink out. I have used wood pellets with very good results also.