Stove Reloading Technique

[aaron1]

What is the best technique for reloading a wood stove on coals? I have a Jotul Oslo. Are you supposed to just rake the coals evenly on the floor of the stove or push them all up to the "doghouse" where the primary air comes in and then fill it up with wood? I just tried piling all of the coals onto the front/doghouse of the stove before reloading, and it takes several minutes longer to get a fire going, but it is a pretty good blaze once it gets going.

 

[aaron1]

OK, I'm starting to think this is a better way to do it already (pushing the coals to the front where the air comes in). I think it took a little longer to get going, but it gets a really hot, blazing wall of fire going at the front where the hot coals, fresh wood and air are located. Then, you get some slow seepage of gases out of the other (cooler) splits in the back/middle that aren't on coals. The other way, you kind of get a general seepage of gases all around with a thin layer of coals all over and most air at the front. I think the overall smoke production is less with the first method and maybe a faster rewarming of the stove. Am I right?

 

[JA600L]

I think the best practice is to have coals over the whole floor. It helps bring the wood up to temperature. Pulling them over the primary works too.

 

[mol1jb]

Yes for a few reasons. One it relites well. Two with the coals all up front the burn is more controlled by starting the front wood first and working its way back. That usually results in a more even longer burn time.

 

[JA600L]

Yes for a few reasons. One it relites well. Two with the coals all up front the burn is more controlled by starting the front wood first and working its way back. That usually results in a more even longer burn time.

I never thought of that! very interesting thought!

 

[aaron1]

I'm going to try raking the coals to the front again tonight during my burn. I think it worked really well last night and gave a longer burn time. It gets really hot up at the front and provides a great fire view. It also keeps some of the gases in back at bay until more can be consumed fromt he front I think. It seems like a good setup.

I also tried a top-down start tonight, which worked better than I thought it would, even with a half-ass attempt at providing smooth gradations of large to small kindling as I rose up the stack.

 

[WiscWoody]

I just open the door and throw the wood in trying not to burn my hands from all of the radiating coals!

 

[Paulywalnut]

I like to load right on top of the hot coals flat. Raking forward just clogs up the door area for reloads.

 

[JA600L]

I think you were correct about the longer burn times! I tried it and noticed a difference!

 

[velvetfoot]

Last couple of days I raked the coals forward too. They burn better up front, then when I put in the splits, I can set them in there so they don't tip up in the back, and I can get in more splits n/s without hitting the tubes.

 

[aaron1]

Yeah, I think it works pretty well. I'll have to try both ways some more to see what works.

 

[aaron1]

I like to load right on top of the hot coals flat. Raking forward just clogs up the door area for reloads.

i use the side door, so that's not a problem.

 

[BobUrban]

More than one way to do things but it is generally the practice to rake them forward. Helps burn down the coals and provides a F-B burn that is controlled and probably longer. I do both techniques from time to time and throw NS/EW into the mix depending on the length of splits I am grabbing and desired burn. I am not real good(or accurate) when bucking so I have differing split length in my stacks. I am working on that - but not too hard.

I find EW over top of a raked forward coal pile provides the longest burns but in this sub-arctic cold NS burns hotter/quicker and has been necessary as of late.

 

[aaron1]

More than one way to do things but it is generally the practice to rake them forward. Helps burn down the coals and provides a F-B burn that is controlled and probably longer. I do both techniques from time to time and throw NS/EW into the mix depending on the length of splits I am grabbing and desired burn. I am not real good(or accurate) when bucking so I have differing split length in my stacks. I am working on that - but not too hard.

I find EW over top of a raked forward coal pile provides the longest burns but in this sub-arctic cold NS burns hotter/quicker and has been necessary as of late.

BobUrban, looks like you guys have been really crushed lately I heard the U of M closed for the first time in decades due to cold. That's pretty bad

 

[firefighterjake]

Usually I rake things so the coals/ash leave a flat area and then pull a fair amount of the coals towards the dog house . . . I might try pulling all of the coals towards the front though to see what happens.

 

[BobUrban]

Ridiculously cold and UofM did cancel classes - I love winter but not when we have weeks on end with a minus sign in front of the number. Going to be 25+ tomorrow(allegedly) and little wind. I hate wishing away time but I am so looking forward to walking outside w/o it hurting to breath.