Hotblast Year 3

larryfoster wrote:Did a burn out and clean out today.
I wouldn't call it a thorough cleaning but it's only been 26 days since I ran a brush through the chimney and pipes and inspected pipes around 17 days ago.
I did get some junk out of the pipes

Stuck the Shop Vac up and didn't get a lot of stuff out.
And surprisingly little junk from the firebox.

Stopping the air leaks that were causing the stove to run in conditions that were producing soot is likely the major reason for that. Another is the changes in how you set the dampers and better understanding of what the mano is telling you.

And a lot of credit for being able to go 26 days without need of a shutdown and big cleaning job goes to Don.

Paul

Don, certainly, gets a gold star for patience.
But there are others that have offered good, helpful and patient advice and suggestions.
They're too numerous to name.

I didn't believe I was clogged up but wanted to check for reference.
Since I, finally, got the mano hooked back up, I wanted to be sure that I could rely on it for guidance.

Do I think all my issues are solved and my Hotblast and I will live happily ever after?

No!

However, I do think there have been noticeable improvements.

I'm not complaining about this mild winter but it makes it difficult to test things.

Making an "L" shaped poker definitely helped.
I don't know how much adjusting the draft with an MPD helped because I don't know how to measure that.
I think it must because Don is convinced it does.

Lots of incremental things.
I can't think of one thing that was "BOOM!" that fixed everything.

Although we had vey few real cold, blustery days, I was never cold enough that I had to wear a coat inside my house on those days.

I don't know if there will be a "Hotblast year 4" thread or not.

I've tried to thank everyone often for suggestions.

I'll do it again.
Now

Deleted
Duplicate

I'll soon be starting a new thread on my next project.

I wouldn't think it would be an epic.
Never know

Question for 1 Matchers, please.

How do you tend this time of year?

A few days it's 50s & 60s, then 30s.

I guess this question could extend to the fall and spring.
Thanks

Larry, it's all hit & miss--under air, pipe dampers, etc. nothing set in stone--each stove/ geographic setting is a whole separate critter. Play--------have fun.

Right now I'm just banking to keep the fire low.

I have this spinner on my ash door which provides under and over fire air.
Wondering if I partially close it if that would be a good thing

Like I said Larry, it's all hit & miss. Nothin ventured, nothin gained.

freetown fred wrote:Like I said Larry, it's all hit & miss. Nothin ventured, nothin gained.

Yup, so many variables that the stoves can be as individual as their owners.

Paul

Finally!!!

I got to open a window because the house got too warm.

Now that I'm nearing the end of 3 years, I was trying to make a list of things to check and do before next fall.
Besides the obvious clean out and brush the chimney, I thought of some other things.

New bricks.
I've only replaced a few.
New grates with the Lightning mod. (But, mine are too bad without doing this.
Some slop but not as much as you think)
More wood. Better wood.
Poplar is ok but not like oak or other hardwood. Besides giving me a hot fire, I'm finding burning an occasional piece of wood pulverizes the ashes.
Check liners?
Try to get some Valier coal? This last load burns fairly well. It is hard to shovel because it wasn't screened.
It would answer the argument, one way or the other on the quality of what I'm burning.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

What about drilling holes in those ledges on either side of the grate to help feed air to the sides ?

Maybe adding secondary air feed pipes along each side, just above the firebed, to get more complete burn of volatiles ?

Paul

lf I have read this post from the beginning and you are well on your way to comfoft you done well keep it up and you will be warm and happy . good job.

Thanks, coalfan.
One thing that took me a really long time to learn with this furnace is how long it takes to recover to get a warm house.
It will, eventually, get me fairly warm.
There's been times it took to mid afternoon to be toasty

What about drilling holes in those ledges on either side of the grate to help feed air to the sides ?

Maybe adding secondary air feed pipes along each side, just above the firebed, to get more complete burn of volatiles ?

Those are good suggestions, Paul.
I'd have to figure out how to do this and see if I can do it of have someone do it.
I'm wondering about the holes along the sides of the grates, though.
That lays full of fine ash and may just plug up.

Something I forgot to mention and would appreciate feedback on the pros and cons.

Adding the draft inducer kit to the back.
Ky Speedracer just removed the plug for more air.
I did that briefly and didn't see any results.

But, it may deserve another look because many things have changed since then

larryfoster wrote:Thanks, coalfan.
One thing that took me a really long time to learn with this furnace is how long it takes to recover to get a warm house.
It will, eventually, get me fairly warm.
There's been times it took to mid afternoon to be toasty

And with experience and getting the bugs out, you've gotten better. As you learn more about the, "What-n-when" of operating it, I think you'll see how to consistently shorten those recovery times. Plus, outdoor weather is a big factor, as discussed in the thread about damp days verses dry days.

What about drilling holes in those ledges on either side of the grate to help feed air to the sides ?

Maybe adding secondary air feed pipes along each side, just above the firebed, to get more complete burn of volatiles ?

Those are good suggestions, Paul.
I'd have to figure out how to do this and see if I can do it of have someone do it.
I'm wondering about the holes along the sides of the grates, though.
That lays full of fine ash and may just plug up.

It's already "plugged" by not having any holes. If the holes are large enough, say at last 1/2 inch, the draft through them, plus the vibration from shaking ash, will help keep them open. And if they start to plug after a longer burn, that's one reason why Don had you make an "L" shaped poker. Use it to rake those edges clear.

Something I forgot to mention and would appreciate feedback on the pros and cons.

Adding the draft inducer kit to the back.
Ky Speedracer just removed the plug for more air.
I did that briefly and didn't see any results.

But, it may deserve another look because many things have changed since then

Your draft numbers seem to be right in line with what Don was getting you to. Plus, you've seen that your system is capable of even higher draft. So, as long as you keep feeding, shaking, racking, and cleaning when you should, I don't see that it will help,..... except put money in the pocket of whoever is selling the kit.

Paul