New coal on a hot bed of burning coal can release a copious amount of gas, hence the need for some secondary air. The more evenly the air is diffused through the gas, the better, which is the reason for special arrangements such as Lightning has built. Too much air or air at too high a velocity can also keep it from burning and not puffing as it exits the stove into the chimney, but it is potential heat that is wasted that way.Muddy Jeep wrote:I guess I'm hesitant that a while (whether it be 1 hr or 6 hrs) after I close the door more volatile gases would end up building up and then won't have any secondary air to burn in and cause a puffback or explosion..... Is this possible or is it that once the coal ignites after reloading it doesn't need any more secondary air until the next reload?
An established fire normally needs no secondary air if that fire is somewhat brisk. If however the air is restricted carbon monoxide will form in and over the mature coal bed. The deeper the bed and the more air restricted the more will occur. It is also a burnable gas but does not have the volume of that original gas on loading, so little danger of puff or explosion. It's good to burn it though since it represents the final stage of burning your coal, but just lacks a little more air. For that reason it is good to have a little over fire air all the time. Blue flame over a mature bed is that gas burning.