Burn Coal in Big Jim Fireplace Insert?

[Snoozeworm]

Any information provided on this gem would be great! Google turned up 2 other people on Earth that own one of these. There must be someone here with knowledge. Picked up on Craiglist for $140 this summer and restored to this condition.

My question is, can it burn Coal too? It has air control through the ash pan. A THICK grate (no shaker) that allows ash to drop through .Oh and it's freaking heavy !

Big Jim Fireplace Insert

• Snoozeworm
• Oct 5, 2018

Big Jim Wood Stove

 

[bholler]

Any information provided on this gem would be great! Google turned up 2 other people on Earth that own one of these. There must be someone here with knowledge. Picked up on Craiglist for $140 this summer and restored to this condition.

My question is, can it burn Coal too? It has air control through the ash pan. A THICK grate (no shaker) that allows ash to drop through .Oh and it's freaking heavy !

Big Jim Fireplace Insert

• Snoozeworm
• Oct 5, 2018

Big Jim Wood Stove

I beleive they were meant to burn coal as well. But because there is no shaker they arent very good at it. Do you have a liner hooked to it?

 

[Snoozeworm]

I beleive they were meant to burn coal as well. But because there is no shaker they arent very good at it. Do you have a liner hooked to it?

No liner. The downstairs has an old squire wood stove insert that's been there since the house was built in the 70s. Chimney stays clean, no smoke, insert gets pulled and cleaned with chimney .I'm personally not sold on the absolute need for liners in every situation .I'm also not the smartest guy you'll talk to this week.

 

[bholler]

No liner. The downstairs has an old squire wood stove insert that's been there since the house was built in the 70s. Chimney stays clean, no smoke, insert gets pulled and cleaned with chimney .I'm personally not sold on the absolute need for liners in every situation .I'm also not the smartest guy you'll talk to this week.

Well burning wood in an insert with no liner isnt very smart. Burning coal that way is just plain dumb i am sorry to be so blunt. Coal exhaust is much cooler than wood which means less draft. Coal also puts off relatively high levels of co throught the whole burn. So the combination of no connection to an oversized flue low exhaust temps leading to weak draft and poisonous fumes just is not a good idea.

 

[Snoozeworm]

I value the feedback . Thanks

 

[bholler]

I value the feedback . Thanks

You are welcome

 

[Snoozeworm]

Bump for any more info or direction to an original manual. I'd pay via PayPal for the manual .Scanned or mailed.

 

[bholler]

Bump for any more info or direction to an original manual. I'd pay via PayPal for the manual .Scanned or mailed.

It is very likely there was never a manual for it. What would you like to know.

 

[Snoozeworm]

I really enjoy reading the manual to my old squire. Honestly I'd love a confirmation of the coal burning and generally having the book to leaf through.

 

[bholler]

I really enjoy reading the manual to my old squire. Honestly I'd love a confirmation of the coal burning and generally having the book to leaf through.

It clearly is meant to burn coal also that is what the bottom inlet is for. But if you want to burn coal you need a heavy wall 316 liner.

 

[Snoozeworm]

I'll look into that specific liner. Thank you. Are you able to point me in the general direction of what coal to look for. I'm in West Virginia so it shouldn't be rocket science to find some .I understand there is anthracite and bituminous, and that a stove is generally designed to burn one or the other? My local Lowe's sells anthracite "nut" coal...

 

[bholler]

I'll look into that specific liner. Thank you. Are you able to point me in the general direction of what coal to look for. I'm in West Virginia so it shouldn't be rocket science to find some .I understand there is anthracite and bituminous, and that a stove is generally designed to burn one or the other? My local Lowe's sells anthracite "nut" coal...

That depends on the grate size but most will do fine with nut anthracite. But it will be a pita without a shaker grate.

 

[Jhwood]

I have a manual to the big jim, and yes it will burn wood and coal

 

[Allirun]

I have a manual to the big jim, and yes it will burn wood and coal

Can you send me a copy? I am having trouble finding information. I just bought a house with this insert, so im trying to learn more about it!

 

[Jhwood]

Can you send me a copy? I am having trouble finding information. I just bought a house with this insert, so im trying to learn more about it!

Ill send u one soon, its a good stove, puts off alot of heat

 

[Allirun]

Ill send u one soon, its a good stove, puts off alot of heat

fantastic, tyvm!