New to Coal

mackd · Post by **mackd** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:26 pm

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who chimed in on this post, now that I know what the majority of the parts to the stove are everything makes sense. Everyone was a huge help to getting tgis going, I almost gave up and traded a pellet stove with my dad. Glad I got this going. Thanks again guys.

mackd · Post by **mackd** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:31 pm

One more newb one, the lid on top, can that be opened to let more heat out or whats that up there for?

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:33 pm

As for WHEN to tend M, pick a time you can live with & be consistent with a 12 hr tend interval. Seems to work best with these hand-fired. She looks good my friend.--PS--yes when tending, fill her right up as much as you can.

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:33 pm

mackd wrote:Its in direct draft, should I throw more? Or let this go till about 1030 when I head to work?

The stove runs best loaded,(all coal stoves do), then put it indirect draft and sleep like a baby

Glad to help, you probably helped a lurker and don't even know it

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:34 pm

mackd wrote:One more newb one, the lid on top, can that be opened to let more heat out or whats that up there for?

That's the load door.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:39 pm

ONLY for loading--keep it closed other wise.

mackd · Post by **mackd** » Fri. Oct. 31, 2014 3:39 pm

I was using the front doors to load, ohh well this work too. Thanks again im out.

mackd · Post by **mackd** » Sat. Nov. 01, 2014 6:24 pm

Little 24hr update, stove burned up all coal in stove while I was at work, cleaned and refired within about an hour. She is humming along and the house is at 75, havnt gone to basement to check temps around stove. Thats all for now thanks again for everyones help, keep them full guys thats the main thing I have learned from this.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sat. Nov. 01, 2014 6:26 pm

Nice M:)

mackd · Post by **mackd** » Tue. Nov. 04, 2014 6:29 pm

She is running hot, just have to shake and fill and no isses at all. Windows are open because its been so nice today, still about 76-78 in the house, stove in basement temp readings upstairs,1100sq ft house. Couldnt be much happier right now.

Rich W. · Post by **Rich W.** » Tue. Nov. 04, 2014 6:43 pm

Another happy Vigilant owner! Yes! Now you can pay it forward to the next newbie. Be one; then help one. What a community!

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Tue. Nov. 04, 2014 7:59 pm

Way to go mackd, looks like it's going to be a warm winter

Welcome to the happy Vigilant group!

Post by **Lightning** » Tue. Nov. 04, 2014 9:23 pm

The only thing I could add is, make sure that when you shake down you have an orange glow radiating downward thru the grates into the ash pan. Proper ash evacuation is critical to the health and ease of maintenance for your fire..

Nice coaching Mike!