Choking down a keystoker

I have a keystoker in one building that I am shutting down until the spring. I have tried no heat at all but that causes problems so I would like to run the 110K keystoker there at an absolute minimum. Ideas? How about fire bricks on the side and minimizing the width of the fire path. Non thermostat so how low can the dial go - 1 - 1/2 - 1/4. I'd like to look in once a week.

Have you tried a little salt and butter?

Have you tried a little salt and butter?

LOL

I don't get too many actual laughs from this board but every once in a while I get a LOL. A little salt and butter did it.

Thanks for the chuckle early in the morn. Nice way to start off 12-12-12.

Rev. Larry

Hmmm, I guess a no answer from that post.

How low you can run it will depend on the coal, and the draft. Sadly I think trial and error is the only way to find out what your "bottom line" reliable fire settings will be. I don't think narrowing the grate area would do you any good, and would likely cause problems.

Experiment with the settings, and maybe get one of those gizmos that turns on/shuts off an outside light if the temperature gets too low.

Would that unit run off something like an old Harman Mag control box, which would provide a timer to fluff the fire and let you use a thermostat?

Mike

Thx Mike and Rob, now those points are worth considering.

is the Coal Pilot still available, i haven't seen much about it lately? if it works with a keystoker that would be a lot less than a Harman controller.

I was thinking of a used Harman controller. They periodically appear in the classifieds, Craigslist, etc. sometimes even for reasonable $.

Mike