Multi Fuel Stove - getting the best out of it.

A._Badger

Glad you found the addition of wood helped.

As for how much to add, that's really governed by the size of fire you want, though adding too much fuel at any one time will cool the fire down. 'Little and often' used to be the motto, though that's not quite so practical if you can't be in attendance all the time.

The issue of burning wood and smokeless fuel together is a vexed one. There's no doubt it works and, just as you say, smokeless fuel gives out a lot more heat and lasts considerably longer. Mixed with wood, you seem to get the best of both worlds.

However, some have sugested that burning the two together increases the production of sulphuric acid, which has a bad effect on your liner.

Frankly, there is so much sheer twaddle talked and written by supposed experts in this field, that I cant make up my mind whether this is true or not - and I've neither the time, nor the facilities, nor the expertise to find out by personal experiment!

Personally, I tend to make a fire of wood or smokeless and if the latter and I need to add wood to aid combustion, only use a few bits now and then. Hedging my bets, if you like.

One further thought. I avoid anthracite at all costs. I'm sure there is good anthracite available and I know 'boilers' burn it well - but some I've tried on stoves iin the past has been exceptionally hard to get ignited and then has required almost a forced draught to get glowing.

I've never tried Ecobrite (I avoid any product with the word 'eco' in it) and rely on Maxibrite, though this year I'm trying some alternatives, to see if I can find anything that suits my stove better. If you haven 't tried it, Maxibrite may be a good starting point for experimentation.

Good luck!

beanrua

Thanks again for your help. What kind of fuel is Maxibrite? Living in N. Ireland we've got anthracite aga, anthracite esse and anthracite eggs or ecobrite or phurnacite as smokeless fuels. We don't seem to have a product called maxibrite. Would like to try it if i knew what it was. I'm just working my way through them to try and find the best one for me. Think i'll just use the wood for when i need extra combustion to get the stove going well. I am doing a lot better with the smokeless fuel than I was doing with logs alone. Realising that my stove was never reaching it's full potential at all for the past year.
Learning all the time!!

A._Badger

In theory, Maxibrite should be available in NI (I've just Googled it to check) but as with coal merchants in England, which brands they stock varies from firm to firm.

Most of the smokeless fuels seem to be manufactured from pulverised anthracite with various additives (someone once told me that molasses was one of the ingredients, but I've no way of knowing if that's true). They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, some light easier than others, some produce more flame, some burn for longer and so on. They sell for quite widely differing prices, too, so which you settle with can make quite a difference in running costs over a year.

All I can suggest is you try different suppliers, to see who has what.

Good luck!

W.W.J.D

Just been offered loads of free wood but needs lots of chopping and splitting looks like s busy few weeks!!!!

beanrua

Thanks A Badger - been googling as well and i think ecobrite is perhaps the Irish version of Maxibrite - seems similar. Going to keep a check on how much I use, how long it lasts and how warm it is - think I'll get a little notebook specifically for the task in hand. did the unthinkable to-day and let the fire go out while i was diddling about - didn't get the kindling on quick enough. Oh well.

WWJD - you will be very busy indeed- don't forget to let it season for a while before use. Good luck

muckybutt

W.W.J.D wrote: »

Just been offered loads of free wood but needs lots of chopping and splitting looks like s busy few weeks!!!!

Make sure it is well seasoned before you burn it, by seasoned I mean leave it chopped and split in a dry place where air can get to it for at least 12 - 18 months.

W.W.J.D

I tend to have a 2yr rotation this lot will be for 2011/12 season. its great to watch it season in the summer!!! Have had alot of thick conifer trunks. I am puting that on slowly mixing it well hopefully it wil not be a problem, but i will keep a check!

beanrua

Does anyone know about "banking" a fire at night? Can you use slack on top of smokeless eggs at night or will it put the fire out? Any other ideas to keep the fire going at night or should I just put on smokeless eggs at night as well?
Getting there.

W.W.J.D

Sorry can't help there. We let it go out and re light the heat in the chimney keeps the house warm. last log at 9 keeps going till 11

beanrua

Thanks W.W.J.D.. I've been using about one shovelful of smokeless eggs at night and it is so cosy in the mornings and saves re-lighting every morning. I used to re-light it every morning but now I let it go out and clean it out once a week. Perhaps i am being wasteful but I have an open plan house and it takes a while to get it all heated up - so when i do get it heated I try to keep it ticking over all the time. Thanks again tho' and good luck.