Clayton Furnace Fired on Wood

 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Tue. Jan. 27, 2009 11:32 pm

I just couldn't resist not posting this. I was so taken back from the beautiful way the Clayton fires on wood, that I thought I would share the way it looks all fired up!
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The Clayton burns wood into charcoal with blue flames dancing above a glowing orange bed of hardwood charcoal.
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With the ash door spinner closed and the combustion draft blower on, with the draft flap adjusted to the needed heat output, it forges the fire into one hot fire!
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I raked the coals level and got it ready for the next load of hardwood.
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Then stuff the firebox until you can't get another log into it. This amount at that firing rate will give me about 8 hours of burn time for my 3700sq.ft. house and keep the house at 72 degrees when it's 10 degrees outside. At this firing rate, on a much smaller house, you'd be opening the windows it would get so hot. I am using the thermostat controlled combustion blower fan option available from U.S.Stove Company. It really works well.

So, I know it is possible to get over 12 hours of burn time easily with a lower firing rate with my big house, just think what you'll get with a smaller house. Other than the Clayton's wonderfully designed firebrick secondary burn chamber, the real key to the long steady heat producing wood fires, in the Clayton, is the installation of a barometric draft regulator in the stovepipe to the chimney, set between .04 to .07 inches of water. From my experience, without a barometric draft regulator installed, it burns like a match and the best you can hope for is the longest burn it will give you. Also, not burning wet wood and keeping the firebox temperatures up with a stovepipe reading of at least 275 degrees or higher, so you burn all the creosote up before it can stick to the walls of the chimney.

In my opinion, the Clayton furnace is the best multi-fueled stove on the market. It burns wood, bituminous lump coal, and anthracite coal very well, while giving you the option to burn what fuel you want or have at the time available.

Clayton, the best bang for the buck!!!

Any comments or questions are welcome. :idea: :)DOUG

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gitrdonecoal
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Post by gitrdonecoal » Mon. Feb. 02, 2009 9:27 pm

my hotblast, close cousin to yours; its a beautiful thing! 8-)

 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Tue. Feb. 03, 2009 9:29 pm

Yes, I'm back to burning wood in my Clayton. The recent cold snap we've had burnt up all 4 tons of coal and the truck is down. I could get a delivery of coal to tie me over, but the amount I would have to get delivered to make it worth it, would keep me all next season. So, I'm going to fix the truck instead of buying more coal. The truck needs the rear frame welded. So, there is a good reason for me to burn up my wood pile and wait on the truck repair for another ton of coal. Boy, I miss the stokers already. Good thing I still have a hand fired Clayton. Well I know what I'll be doing this summer, Building a larger coal bin and cutting and stacking another 5 or so cords of wood again. Coal is king but wood is still nicer than paying the gas man.

 
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gitrdonecoal
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Post by gitrdonecoal » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 7:09 am

yes, I agree. ANYTHING is better than paying the oil or gas man. I still laugh everytime NOCO fuel goes by, he slows down and looks down my 400 ft driveway, looking at the tank. they don't know bout the new furnace! I will hopefully burn wood like end of march or april. I cut and split when im down with work, which will be happening this friday till who knows, until customers get their money for the job.

 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 11:33 am

I've been stuffing my firebox with some pretty big pieces of wood lately.
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Sometimes they are very heavy and awkward to get in the firebox, but they sure burn long.
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When burning wood in the Clayton, you can really get it piping hot very fast and not worry about any clinkers. The down side is, that you have to feed it often, unless you feed it large pieces of wood and top the firebox off full with smaller pieces of wood until you can't get another piece into the firebox. Then it will burn about as long as the coal does on each feeding with a lot less ashes to deal with.

It's nice to have a furnace with the flexibility to burn both fuels, wood and coal, bituminous or anthracite, and burn it efficiently, long and hot! I still say, "The Clayton 1600 furnace is the Best Bang for the Buck." :idea: :) DOUG

 
Gary1
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Post by Gary1 » Sat. Oct. 12, 2013 9:29 am

Hi Doug,

I read your post and am interested in a multi fuel furnace. I know you like the Clayton unit but would like to know if you're familiar with the Meyer Mfg Co.'s "Woodchuck" furnace. I'm considering either their 2900 model or the larger 4000 model. They seem to be a very good beefy unit. If you google Meyer Manufacturing Co., or Woodchuck Furnace you can see their info including the specs and the complete instructions and parts book. Any input you would give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary

 
cmk9180
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Post by cmk9180 » Mon. Oct. 14, 2013 7:20 pm

I have the woodchuck 4000. It's a beast. I have not run coal in it yet. It has a air selector for either running wood/bit coal or anthracite. I can tell you that if the outside temp is about 30, this unit will keep my house above 70 for almost 16 hours burning wood.


 
Gary1
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Post by Gary1 » Wed. Oct. 16, 2013 10:08 pm

To: cmk9180
From: Gary1

Hi, I'd like to talk to you about your Woodchuck furnace. I left a PM for you the other day. Don't know if you received it. If you can't contact me thru this forum my email address is: [email protected]

Look forward to talking with you...Gary

 
cmk9180
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Post by cmk9180 » Thu. Oct. 17, 2013 3:05 am

Check your inbox, Gary.

 
coalnewbie37
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Post by coalnewbie37 » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 5:01 am

Hello everyone I have a woodchuck model 4000 I purchased about 3 years ago. I love this unit and have only burned wood in it so far. I am interested in learning how to burn coal in it and welcome advice on getting started. Also if anyone else has the same furnace and uses it for burning coal how does it do??

 
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Art
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Post by Art » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 9:36 am

coalnewbie37 wrote:Hello everyone I have a woodchuck model 4000 I purchased about 3 years ago. I love this unit and have only burned wood in it so far. I am interested in learning how to burn coal in it and welcome advice on getting started. Also if anyone else has the same furnace and uses it for burning coal how does it do??
I too, am a coal newbie. Dumb question maybe.....how do you typically start your coal burning? I have a Clayton 1602M, so I can burn wood and coal. Wood is easy to start, would you start a wood fire, then wait for a coal bed then add anthrocite? :oops:

If it's easier, use this to reply, [email protected]

 
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Carbon12
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Post by Carbon12 » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 9:40 am

Quick Start Method Video

Here's the info you need

 
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Art
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Post by Art » Sat. Feb. 08, 2014 10:19 am

Awesome video! Perfect, thanks!

 
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Wheelo
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Post by Wheelo » Sun. Mar. 09, 2014 11:36 am

I've got the HotBlast 1537. Kinda similar to your Clayton I guess. And like you, I LOVE THE THING! It burns Bit coal very nicely, and firewood maybe a little better. Easily heats this old 4,000 sq ft farm house up to a comfy 70+. Burning coal, I feel they require a little more work than other stoves on ash removal, but overall, a pretty simple to operate stove. I couldn't imagine having the stove in a smaller home, I think it would probably melt the wall paper off the walls!
Wheelo

 
cmk9180
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Post by cmk9180 » Sat. Mar. 15, 2014 10:29 pm

coalnewbie37 wrote:Hello everyone I have a woodchuck model 4000 I purchased about 3 years ago. I love this unit and have only burned wood in it so far. I am interested in learning how to burn coal in it and welcome advice on getting started. Also if anyone else has the same furnace and uses it for burning coal how does it do??
I have the Woodchuck 4000 also. I have burned wood, bituminous, and anthracite in it. If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them for you. :)


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