proper procedure is established and followed, coal burning becomes a reasonably simple process with the
benefits of long burn times and evenness of output over the entire length of burn.
STARTING UP A NEW FIRE
The flue draft must be -0.05” W.C. to allow combustion gases to flow freely out the chimney. Turn the solid
fuel thermostat up to a setting well above the room temperature to start the draft fan. Use paper and dry
kindling to start the fire.
Add small compact pieces of hardwood when the kindling is burning hot. Keep the draft fan slide plate in
the ash door fully open to establish a hot fire. The ash door may be opened for start up. However, close
the ash door before opening the fire door to prevent smoke from emitting out the fire door opening.
When a substantial bed of red coals is built up, start adding coal, small amounts at a time. Continue adding
small amounts of coal until there is a solid bed of burning coal. Do not add too much at one time. Allow
sufficient time between each small loading (at least 10 to 15 minutes) so that each loading has time to
thoroughly ignite before the next load is put in. For maximum burning efficiency, always fill the furnace to
the highest level possible. A deep bed of coal always will burn more satisfactorily than a shallow bed.
Keep the draft fan running until you are sure the fire is continuing to burn hot, then turn the thermostat to
the desired room temperature setting. If the ash door has been opened, close it to prevent overfiring, which
can severely damage the furnace.
LOADING
Coal should be added to the fire at least every twelve hours. Coal never should be added unless there is a
reasonably hot fire.
If the fire is burning hot and there is a deep bed of coals, full loads of coal can be added at any time.
However, if there is not a deep bed of coals, it is best to add small amounts of coal at first.
SHAKING
Shaking should be done only with a hot fire. Shaking should be done at least once a day, but not more
than twice a day. Best results from shaking will occur if
short “choppy” strokes
are used rather than long
even strokes. The amount of shaking is critical. Too little or too much can extinguish a fire due to blocked
airflow. The proper amount normally occurs when red coals first start to drop through onto the bed of
ashes. Be sure that a small amount of ash is left on the grates to protect them from the direct heat of the
burning coal.
MAINTENANCE
Ashes never should be allowed to accumulate in the ash pit so they in any way impede the flow of
combustion air to the fire. Excess ash accumulation can cause the fire to go out, and also can cause
severe damage to the grates because they cannot cool from a flow of air beneath them. Ashes MUST be
removed daily and put in a metal container with a lid.
Clinkers can occur in any coal furnace. They are pieces of fused ash that are hard. They can become
large, and therefore cannot be shaken through the grates in a coal furnace. When there is an appreciable
accumulation, the fire will go out because insufficient air is allowed to pass through the clinkers to the
burning coal. Once clinkers have formed, they can be removed only from above the grates. This usually
means the fire must be allowed to die out before they can be removed.
Clinker formation can occur from a number of different causes or a combination of causes. Some of these
are as follows:
Too hot a fire (too much draft)
Too shallow a bed of coals
Too deep a bed of coals
Excess shaking
Poking the fire from the top
Poor quality coal – excess ash content
Too little air (draft) after a long hot fire
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