Alaska Hearth Has Blue Flames Close to Hopper

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cowentz
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Location: York county, PA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kast Console II Hearth

Post by cowentz » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 8:38 am

This is my first year running a stoker stove. I have a Alaska hearth model with paddle feed. Being new to me I am slightly nervous of a hopper fire. I believe the red burning coal is where it should be on the grate but have noticed steady blue flames between this burning coal area and the hopper. I have attached a picture but it might be a little hard to see the blue flames. Is this normal or may I have an air leak at the rear of the grate?

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IMAG0235.jpg
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McGiever
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Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
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Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 8:44 am

That's just volatile gases burning off as that coal is pre-heated, red coal line is where under air stops. Not to worry. ;)

 
WNYRob
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker Koker controlled with CoalTrol

Post by WNYRob » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 10:56 am

This is what my fire looks like. Quite a few blue flames wafting towards the back is normal. As long as your red glow line doesn't migrate beyond the air hole line towards the back you will be fine. 4 years burning and no hopper fire, knock on wood.
coal fire2.JPG
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wnycoalier
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Post by wnycoalier » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 11:05 am

How is your fan speed?(on my triburner converted to separate fan for combustion) I get that when my air flow is turned down. No worries about it, just my observation.

 
cowentz
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Joined: Fri. Dec. 21, 2007 8:22 am
Location: York county, PA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kast Console II Hearth

Post by cowentz » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 12:38 pm

Thanks for the feedback. I feel a little better about letting the fire burn when I left for work this morning. As for fan speed I only have one adjustment (which I thought only controlled the speed of the room air blower). I have this set about 3/4.

 
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StokerDon
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
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Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Mon. Oct. 20, 2014 9:04 pm

Welcome to the world of stokers Cowentz. That is what we call an idle fire, I bet you never saw a fire that small in your hand fired stove!

I'm glad to see you are up and running. You need to get a picture or two of your install posted. So we can all see it.

-Don

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