Burning coal on a multi burner newbie

clare8146

We've got a Charnwood country 6 stove and have always burned wood. Our supply is running low and I cant afford another delivery before christmas so decided to use coal. I really have no idea how to keep a good coal fire going. Googled last night for tips and the advice was to load it up to the level of the firebricks - surely not???

I'm getting it going a treat using a firelighter, kindling, quick burn briquettes and few lumps of coal. Once going I'm not sure how much coal to add. So far I've just added a few lumps but dont seem to getmuch heat. Tried adding a few more but then the fire gets very smoky.

Any tips gratefully received.

suki1964

You need a grate

Coal needs to bring air in from under it

Your stove should have fittings for a grate? if not find a grate and an ash pan to fit it and then try

clare8146

We've got a grate and ashpan. Just not got the knack of the fire!

suki1964

ahhhhh

Well first I hope its not coal being burned but smokeless or anthracite ?

heres what I do - I get a few bits of twisted paper on the bottom of the grate. Top that with a lump of firelighter, then top that with some good dry kindlers. Light it then open up all vents and close the door. Once its a roaring flame - chuck on the fuel and leave the vents open fully till the fuel its flaming nicely.

Then its all a question of working out how best your stove works. For me its close it down on the top and just have the bottom vent open to about a thumb thickness. If Im not getting a good draw and heat I play about with the vents ( depends on the wind sometimes)

today its snowed hard and its not been above 2oc and Im toasty and wearing a t shirt one one scuttle of fuel

clare8146

Thanks Suki. On this occasion it is a bag of standard coal. Tried anthracite before and really struggled to get it going. The next bag will be smokeless I promise.

When you chuck in your fuel - what depth are the coals?

smcqis

I have recently got a multi fuel stove installed. There is a grate in it, does this mean i have to take it out when i want to burn just wood?

suki1964

Oh I kind of just cover the sticks really.

I have a tiger+ if you want to go do a search to get an idea of the size

I use enough stick to nearly cover the whole of the grate and then sort of give the scuttle a throw at it and that will do till they are lit then add more when roaring

Household as far as I know will give more soot and smoke. The only time I get smoke from mine is if I feed it when its not hot enough

Mister_G

I have a multifuel, but currently only burn wood. I find that just keeping the grate covered with about an inch of ash works well. Obviously the ashpan is full of ash and I just take off the surplus ash with a trowel.

Hope that helps

Williwoodburner

smcqis wrote: »

I have recently got a multi fuel stove installed. There is a grate in it, does this mean i have to take it out when i want to burn just wood?

You dont have to take the grate out to burn wood, but wood burns bed on a bed of ashes.
With a multifuel the ash falls through into an ashpan so it doesnt burn quite as efficiently as without a grate.
I believe on some stoves you can close the grate to stop the ashes falling through.
Also wood burns best with top fed air and bottom vent closed.
Anthracite/smokeless burns best with bottom vents open giving air from below the fuel.
With a woodburner there is also more room in the firebox as without the grate it has greater depth enabling more fuel to be loaded for a hot efficient burn.

Regards

Willie.

:money:

highrisklowreturn

Any ideas on how to disassemble my Stanley Oisin to remove the grate as I'd like to try using it as just a woodburner? Never done this before.

Williwoodburner

Hello again Highrisk,

just beware, before you remove your grate, you do need a lot of wood which takes quite a bit of work, chopping, storing, bringing into the house etc etc...
Unless you're going to buy it ready seasoned which can be quite expensive I believe.
I recon I use nearly a wheelbarrow full a day when its very cold.
:eek:
As for removing the grate, have a look in the manual to see if possible to do this as some grates are fixed.

Regards

Willie.