To burn or not to burn .... coals

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jcapler

jcapler

Member
Jan 5, 2016
73
Nebraska
So since the temp. has been dropping my coal supply have been growing. Just wondering what everyone does about the building coal supply they have in there stoves. It seems like while burning from coming home from work (3:30 pm) to ONB (10:30 load) I end up with a ton of coals. It is bad enough that I will sometimes crack the door and burn the excess off. I will try and get a picture of the amount. Anyway I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the coal supply I am building up.


Woodpro WS-TS-2000
 
Throw a small split or two on the coals. This will provide some heat and extra air to burn the coals down.
 
Roger that. I have been tossing a few small splits in. Seems like I am just adding to the pile. ONB is about the only thing that will burn the coals down. As always weather / temp has some effect on this but my burn lately seems to add coal and ash more then normal.


Woodpro WS-TS-2000
 
I put on a couple 1-2" sticks and open up the air with the door closed. Wait 30 minutes or so, then reload. Too many coals could be a sign on less seasoned wood.
 
I will move or take the coals into a pile to the front of my stove, open up the air on the stove, and l let them burn down..
I will also take them to the middle and make a "coal log" and then put splits around it. As the splits catch, the coal burn down.
I would also agree with begreen and check the moisture content of your wood. Might be not as seasoned as it ought to be.
 
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On the rare occasion that I get too many oak coals, I put a couple small pieces of pine on top and burn it hot for a couple hours before reloading. That simmers 'em right down, and makes good heat.

The pine is easily had around here, burns hot, and really doesn't coal at all (which is not always good news if it's your only wood!).
 
I use bark sometimes for that. Keeps some good heat output going, great light show, and the coals are less stubborn.
 
i'll also suggest the rake the coals forward and put 1 or 2 small splits EW on them then run the air wide open, this throws off some decent heat and burns the coals down as well
 
Rakem forward, open the air, be patient, repeat.
 
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begreen said:
Too many coals could be a sign on less seasoned wood.
Click to expand...
I agree with begreen. You might want to take a moisture measurement on a fresh split. A higher moisture content will definitely make for more coals. In the meantime, pull the coals to the front of the stove and reload. My stove loads east to west and before I reload I position the coals along the north side of the stove and reload.
 
If I open up the air on 'em, stove temp will get back up to 250-300, and unless it's really cold out that's usually enough to hold room temp until they burn down.
 
I guess I am just s little to anxious and need to let them burn up. Product of being a second year burner [emoji6].

Wood moisture is tested on fresh splits. Ranging from 12-18. I have had this split for 2 years.

I do currently the pile to the center open it up and toss some kindles on there.

I will keep an eye on the moisture some more. Temp has really dropped here lately and that is when I have noticed that I have been getting more coals. I usually only see this when I am home to dick with the fire. ONB seem to eat all the coals. Leaving me with a small bed to restart in the morning.


Woodpro WS-TS-2000
 
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