Koal Keeper - anyone ever try one?

[NH_Wood]

Thought this looked like a good idea. Was going to buy a regular shovel and drill holes, but, was cheap enough to try the pre-made one. Cheers!

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5HY-ASB-KK24/24-Koal-Keeper)

 

[thewoodlands]

Thought this looked like a good idea. Was going to buy a regular shovel and drill holes, but, was cheap enough to try the pre-made one. Cheers!

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5HY-ASB-KK24/24-Koal-Keeper)

NH_Wood we bought one last year and still use it. This year we use it less then we did last year at this time just because we burn our coals down more. Usually on Sundays I'll clean the ashes out and if we have coals that is when I use it.


zap

 

[ISeeDeadBTUs]

They was up like a pretzel, and that's B4 they get hot. Yer better off learning how to burn your coals down.

 

[madison]

Have one, it's OK. I try to avoid using it and do as mentioned previously, or, toss the chunks with the ashes. No matter how careful, it amplifies the ash distribution outside of the stove when used.

Warning, it is made in china, and when first used, the black paint vaporizes and puts off extremely noxious fumes, after the "burn in", the fumes are not as obvious, but if you have reactive airways or are sensitive to fumes have somebody around just in case.

 

[NH_Wood]

I know how to burn the coals down, but thought this would be a good way to separate the hot coals from ash before a reload. I ordered one - I guess we'll see. I'll put in an outside fire first to burn off the fumes. Thanks! Cheers!

 

[golfandwoodnut]

There was a thread on this subject last year. Alot people made their own coal rakes. The longer the handle the better. I made mine from a spatula designed for an outside grill equipped with a golf grip. I cut off the end and bent it 90 degrees. It works well for seperating the coals from the ash. Seems to me a rake is alot better than that thing and it will be alot cooler on the hands. Basically I normally push all the ashes and coals to the back, then rake the coals forward. Most of the new stoves have the air in the front to keep the window clean. For overnight burns I try to get all the coals forward and put a big split or round in the back so that it catches slowly, it seems to really help on the overnight burn.

 

[madison]

Nice putter .... Is the rest of that club buried into a tree?

 

[Backwoods Savage]

I know how to burn the coals down, but thought this would be a good way to separate the hot coals from ash before a reload. I ordered one - I guess we'll see. I'll put in an outside fire first to burn off the fumes. Thanks! Cheers!

NH_Wood, could you please explain this? Am I reading right that you do this on each reload? The reason I ask is that you should not need to do it. The only time to separate is when you empty the ashes and that is usually ever several days or a week, etc.

 

[velvetfoot]

I have one and never use it.

 

[NH_Wood]

I know how to burn the coals down, but thought this would be a good way to separate the hot coals from ash before a reload. I ordered one - I guess we'll see. I'll put in an outside fire first to burn off the fumes. Thanks! Cheers!

NH_Wood, could you please explain this? Am I reading right that you do this on each reload? The reason I ask is that you should not need to do it. The only time to separate is when you empty the ashes and that is usually ever several days or a week, etc.

Dennis - I'm still learning a lot, so I'm probably off base - here's my explanation: as I pull the coals to the front, mainly after the coals have burned down a lot (more ash than coals), I find that I'm pulling a lot of ash with the coals. I figured that I should have mainly coals pulled to the front/center, with the ash in the remainder of the box, in order to let the primary air get at the coals best. This is how I would be doing it for each reload, except when reloading during colder weather, when many coals are available and splits can be simply added to the box with no raking (perhaps morning reloads will require more raking). Perhaps what I'm doing is a shoulder season thing, since I can't reload too quickly or suffer from a really hot house. Or, as I mentioned earlier, perhaps I'm doing something wrong! Wouldn't surprise me - I have a whopping 2 months of burning experience under my belt! Cheers!

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Nice putter .... Is the rest of that club buried into a tree?

No, but perhaps I should put this club in my bag for when I can not find a rake :coolgrin:

 

[Rich_CT]

I have one. Bought it last year. I don't really use it right now. But when the colder weather comes and I start burning 24x7, I'll use it a couple of times a week to separate the coals and get the ashes out.