What do your coals look Like

[lopiliberty]

This is what was left after 4 splits loaded E/W this morning at 8. Just filled the stove at 5:45 and the stove was still at 250.

 

[evilgriff]

Here is mine. Loaded last night at 9:00pm, shut down 100% for low heat night burn.
Next pic 9:00am reload with two decent red maple splits and a smallish BL round.
It will be a hotter burn and therefore shorter. S/b ready for reload around 2:00pm
Last pic is 2min after reload, pic order a bit mixed up.View attachment 92959 View attachment 92960

That picture reminds me of my old Intrepid II.

 

[Diabel]

That picture reminds me of my old Intrepid II.

Never had a chance to use that stove, but I am told that it is the best stove in its class!

 

[rdust]

This is the follow up to last nights load at 10:30pm, this is what was left about 2:50pm right before I re-loaded. Single digit temps overnight and still making heat 16 hours + later.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Never had a chance to use that stove, but I am told that it is the best stove in its class!

I'll disagree with that.

 

[Benny4117]

Thanks everyone....keep em coming.

My coals after an overnight is nothing like in the prev pics. I can rake thru after 8-12 hours and find some organge embers but nothing to just throw some splits on and and have it fire right up. I would say my coal bed look like the pics after about 4-5 hours. I cant seem to damper air down as low as others though and still keep a flame in the box. I usually can get fire started and heat the sove up for 15-25 min air opened full and then close air to halfway. After that, trying to close air mor is a constant battle. on good days im lucky if i can close it 3/4 of the way. Usually have to keep somewhere b/t 1/2 way closed and 3/4 way closed........So i hoping this would be due to non-completely dried wood

 

[ScotO]

As some have already stated, ash build-up in the bottom of the firebox can change your 'burn time' dramatically. Ash build-up insulates the coals, allowing them to sometimes last for days and days. That's why I built my coal sifter, and it really helps out! I can sift all the coals out of the ash and put them to the side, scoop out the ash and get rid of it, spread the coals out on the floor of the stove and you are off to the races again.

In regards to burn times, as others have already stated that has to do with wood type, moisture content, draft, draw of chimney, type of chimney, tightness of stove, etc. Lots of variables in there......

 

[Ashful]

Scotty, are you doing that whole process on every reload? I've gotten so lazy / tired of loading the last few days, I'm just opening the top door and setting splits in. Screw raking!

 

[ScotO]

Scotty, are you doing that whole process on every reload? I've gotten so lazy / tired of loading the last few days, I'm just opening the top door and setting splits in. Screw raking!

no, no, no....that'd be a real PITA if I had to sift them out every reload. I only do that when I do a cleanout (which is usually 10 to 14 days) OR when it's really cold out and I want to do more frequent/faster reloading of the stove. Pull those coals all to the top of the ash and open up the draft full tilt......it gets roarin hot again in that firebox, and helps burn down the coals so you can get a big reload in. That sifter is worth having in the tool arsenal......

 

[TheBaron]

Here is a load of hard maple after 3 hrs. Loaded NS with air at 1/4 most of the time. Probably about 3/4 full

 

[Benny4117]

The obvious and first solution is wood quality and this is often the toughest for new burners getting started. Some suggest picking up a bundle of kiln dried firewood or even s pack of bio bricks and see what that offers. At least then you will have a baseline for burn time and coaling.​

I'm thinking i will have to purchase some as suggested and see how it goes compared to my current wood supply.

 

[Benny4117]

As some have already stated, ash build-up in the bottom of the firebox can change your 'burn time' dramatically. Ash build-up insulates the coals, allowing them to sometimes last for days and days. That's why I built my coal sifter, and it really helps out! I can sift all the coals out of the ash and put them to the side, scoop out the ash and get rid of it, spread the coals out on the floor of the stove and you are off to the races again.​

You stated you built your coal sifter.......is that something that can be purchased as well? Do you have a pic ?