Tried a different reload - Photos

[blazincajun]

Our wood heater is not that deep and was trying to reload in a way that would extend the burn of the reload. I cut my wood in 10" lengths and load north/south.

What I did:
Raked the coals to the left which left none on the right. Since there were no coals on the right I could take my time building the reload. Layed 2-1" sized kindling pieces towards the front end to end just touching the coals on the left to let air get under the pieces on the right. Loaded larger oak pieces on the bottom from right to left to just on the edge of the coals to minimize smoke. Next, loaded above the larger pieces with oak up to about the top of the stove brick lining. Placed one small kindling on the coals and two larger pieces of pine with medium sized oak up to the brick level. Fire started and gradually closed the primary air down completely. Fire basically burned from the top down on the right side of the stove. Wife said that the stove was still actively burning when shed awoke this morning. Seemed to work fine burning from left to right. Not sure if burning this way warps any of the insides going from one side to the other. Any one else ever try this?

 

[bluedogz]

BC- what kind of stove?

 

[blazincajun]

Drolet Savannah 1.6 cu.ft.

 

[bluedogz]

Drolet Savannah 1.6 cu.ft.

Might wanna put it in your sig., otherwise everyone will ask again.

Frankly, I think my 30 is too big for such a strategy, but I'm hoping to give it a try with drier wood next year.

 

[BobUrban]

I get longer burns going E/W in the 30 but hotter(best for COLD nights) running N/S allowing DH air to get to the back between two splits. If I go E/W when it is zero out I an loading on top of to many coals.

 

[blazincajun]

What I noticed about the way I reloaded this morning is that it is similar to E/W in that you rake the coals and you place the wood tightly on warm ashes or firebrick. When I cut down the primary air it basically burns top down on the right with no flaring on the front right side of the box. So you have a combination quick start with top down burning. In my situation there is just not enough room for E/W loading before the pieces roll against the glass.

 

[jatoxico]

How long a burn time did you get and how does that compare to previous loads? If you can repeat your success you may be onto something with your setup.

I wish I had loading options but my box is <12" deep and 24" wide so for the most part I have to go E/W.

 

[Dix]

I find in the 13, that it will get longer burns, loaded N / S.

 

[MetMan]

I do a reload like that when it's really cold and I have a lot of coals. I rake all of the coals to the front and then push the coals on the left to the back and move the coals on the right front to the left. Then I can load the right side quite full and put smaller splits on the left. This tends to be a last reload of the evening thing for me.

 

[blazincajun]

Here is the reload with coals raked all the way to the left
Since there were no coals on the right side it made loading and
packing easier. This is with the primary air fully out


The left side here is in full combustion and
the secondaries are burning above. The primary air
is almost completely closed at this point


The primary air is closed completely and the
right side is burning from top down from the secondary
flames on the right.


This has produced a longer burn time for me
at a relatively high temperature.

 

[blazincajun]

How long a burn time did you get and how does that compare to previous loads? If you can repeat your success you may be onto something with your setup.

I wish I had loading options but my box is <12" deep and 24" wide so for the most part I have to go E/W.

My combustion chamber is 11.25"DX20.25"W. My wife and daughters love loading N/S because it reduces burns and the wood doesn't fall against the glass. I did a test by using a delta chop saw and cut wood to 10" lengths - no going back, I cut everything to 10" lengths.

 

[Beer Belly]

Hmmmmm.....something to try...........

 

[USMC80]

I do a reload like that when it's really cold and I have a lot of coals. I rake all of the coals to the front and then push the coals on the left to the back and move the coals on the right front to the left. Then I can load the right side quite full and put smaller splits on the left. This tends to be a last reload of the evening thing for me.

And you find yourself getting better burn times with this method?

 

[Lighting Up]

Nice...how long was it between picture one and picture two when the secondaries got going a and you cut the air?Sometimes I wait to late thinking all the wood needs to be charred to cut the air. Again, you need very dry seasoned wood for this...

 

[blazincajun]

Nice...how long was it between picture one and picture two when the secondaries got going a and you cut the air?Sometimes I wait to late thinking all the wood needs to be charred to cut the air. Again, you need very dry seasoned wood for this...

It was about ten minutes between photo 1 and photo 2. Photo 2 was taken when the primary air was out only 1/4". Another 5-7minutes to completely close the primary air. Just gradually reduce the primary air. Sitting on the floor with a cup of coffee makes it easier.

 

[Mainely Saws]

I have an east/west stove that has a 1.7 cu. ft. firebox & I have found that raking the coals apart ( e/w) , placing 3 smaller splits ( 16" long ) on top of the coals facing E/W & then putting two of the wood blocks ( 10" long) from Tractor supply on top of the splits N/S gives me the best overall burn cycle by far . It burns hot , it burns a good bit longer & a good bit more complete with little ash, than anything else that I have tried over the years . Once the fire has established itself I dial back the air almost completely & let it cruise . Sometimes towards the end of the burn cycle I do open the air a bit .........

 

[WarmBluthner]

Your strategy looks like something I´m trying lately.
When trying to burn a small hardwood load the stove had trouble to get hot when I concentrated the load in the center (to much heat loss I guess).
So now I rake the coals to the right side of the stove and load E/W. It works, the fire gets hotter and after a while the stovetop on the right side gets pretty hot. When I put some larger splits on the left side, with room to spare between the split and the fire the split eventually catches fire.

All in all a nice way to build smaller intense fires, which can be extended to big ones by loading extra splits from the side.