More of a Mid-Winter Cleanout Than A Shake Down

 
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Razzler
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Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM DF520
Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by Razzler » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 12:46 pm

Devil505 wrote:The tool (maybe a rake?) in the 8:00O'clock position (with arrow) in the tool set pictured is one I never use. What am I missing in terms of its use??
Devil, I have one that I made "a rake" although I use it more as a coal plow then a rake. With the SF 250 being almost 3' deep I use my rake to push the coal to the back of the stove so I can get as much coal in there as possible. ;)

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DavidL
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Post by DavidL » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 8:36 pm

I had the same problem with ash build up where my fire would only last 3 days. I finally got a daily technique down where I could keep the fire going; thanks to this forum.

This is the document I made up for myself and my wife. I do it once in the morning and once in the evening.

A High Heat Foil Back Insulation
B Heat Outlet
• 20"x 20" (480EK)
• 18"x 18" (365EK)
C Double Wall Back
D Heavy 7 Gauge Steel
E 6" Flu
F Filter Box with Side Mounted Air Filter (Optional)
G Large, Energy Efficient 3-Speed Blower
H Fire Brick Lining with Cast Iron End Plates
I Cast Iron Shaker Grates (Optional)
J Shaker Grate Handle
K Pre-wired Electrical Components Standard
L Baked Enamel Metal Cabinet
M Secondary Heat Exchanger
N Secondary Bypass Rod
O Airtight Cast Iron Feed Door
P All 1/4" Steel Door Frame
Q Heavy Cast Iron Ash Pit Door
R Large Removable Ash Pan
S Draft Control, Forced or Automatic (Manual on 365EK)
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1. Turn OFF Forced Air Draft switch (S)
2. Open Ash Pit Door (Q)
3. Empty ash pan if full (R)
4. Pull open Secondary Bypass Rod (N)
5. Crack open coal feed door (O) for 10 seconds, then open fully.
6. Using fireplace poker, poke deep into coals till you hit bottom of shaker grate making new air passages and breakup bottom layer of ash; about 6 places.
7. Shake grate using Shaker Grate Handle (J) till you get a good red glow from under the grate and letting the fine ash fall down into the pan.
8. Push (Bank) coal towards rear of fire box, tapering down towards the front of box.
9. Fill tapered void with coal up to top of fire brick, leaving hot coals exposed in rear.
10. Close coal feed door (O)
11. Push closed Secondary Bypass Rod (N)
12. Close Ash Pit Door (Q) and fully open Ash Pit Draft knob or leave Ash Pit Door (Q) open for 15 minutes so newly added coal will catch.
(SET TIMER AS REMINDER)
13. Close Ash Pit Draft knob or close Ash Pit Door (Q).
14. Turn ON Forced Air Draft switch (S)

 
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Devil505
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Post by Devil505 » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 8:41 pm

DavidL wrote:I had the same problem with ash build up where my fire would only last 3 days. I finally got a daily technique down where I could keep the fire going; thanks to this forum.
Great!! :up:

How long can you keep a fire going now, with your new procedure?


 
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DavidL
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Post by DavidL » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 8:50 pm

Devil505 wrote:
DavidL wrote:I had the same problem with ash build up where my fire would only last 3 days. I finally got a daily technique down where I could keep the fire going; thanks to this forum.
Great!! :up:

How long can you keep a fire going now, with your new procedure?
I can keep it going with it not going out. After a week or so, the stove will get some ash build up in the back, so I reverse my banking on one load and that usually take care of it.

 
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Devil505
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Post by Devil505 » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 8:52 pm

DavidL wrote:I can keep it going with it not going out. After a week or so, the stove will get some ash build up in the back, so I reverse my banking on one load and that usually take care of it.
Excellent!!...Welcome to the "Only One Match Needed Per Season" club!! :cheers: :lol:

(kinda like our version of the "Mile High Club"....but not quite as much fun! ;) )
Last edited by Devil505 on Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.

 
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ray in ma
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Post by ray in ma » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:00 pm

Like Paerboy I'm running a Kodiak and get a lot of ash build up in the corners. Middle usually seems to shake fine but every 2 or 3 days I go in with a poker that has a 'foot' angled at 90 degrees. I scoop the hot coals to one side and when I'm a couple inches off the grate I 'fluff' the ash, I get under and dig it up which opens up the grate a little on the sides. I'll do a side then shake down, do the opposite side, shake down and usually get a full ash pan or 2 by doing this. It does get a little warm when doing this and I'm grateful to my dad for getting me a pair of welding gloves for Christmas to keep my hands from blistering.

I've also noticed that if I run the stove hot I get a bridge. If there is very little that falls through when I shake it so I go in with the tool Paperboy described and poke it down starting from the corners and working to the middle. A good shake finishes the job then I add more nut.

I have also noticed that the stove burns hotter with a smaller fire, that is if I keep the coal bed low and below the top of the fire bricks instead of mounding in the middle. On the weekends I add 1/2 the coal 2X as often. Usually I add about 20-30 lbs in the AM before leaving and about the same at night before going to bed. During the weekend I'll add 10-15 lbs every 4 hours or so and the stove seems to run a lot hotter. Still need to get a thermostat to be sure.


 
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DavidL
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Post by DavidL » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:02 pm

Devil505 wrote:
DavidL wrote:I can keep it going with it not going out. After a week or so, the stove will get some ash build up in the back, so I reverse my banking on one load and that usually take care of it.
Excellent!!...Welcome to the "Only One Match Needed Per Season" club!! :cheers: :lol:
Thanks. It took me a good month to get the procedure down, including adjusting the baro correctly; which was half my battle.

 
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Devil505
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Post by Devil505 » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:14 pm

DavidL wrote:Thanks. It took me a good month to get the procedure down, including adjusting the baro correctly; which was half my battle.
A MONTH@!!!

It's taken me 27 years to get to the point I'm at now!!! :woot: :mad2: :bang: :devil: :funny:

 
CapeCoaler
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Stoker Coal Boiler: want AA130
Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine BS#4, Harman MKII, Hitzer 503,...
Coal Size/Type: Pea/Nut/Stove

Post by CapeCoaler » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:18 pm

And you are just comming into your prime!

 
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DavidL
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Post by DavidL » Sun. Jan. 04, 2009 9:33 pm

Devil505 wrote:
DavidL wrote:Thanks. It took me a good month to get the procedure down, including adjusting the baro correctly; which was half my battle.
A MONTH@!!!

It's taken me 27 years to get to the point I'm at now!!! :woot: :mad2: :bang: :devil: :funny:
Okay, then 2 months :)

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