multi fuel overnight burn questions

tori.k

Hello all,

we on the move to a house that has a multi stove, I've never used a stove before but had an open fire in a previous house we lived in (laid fresh each morning). In this house I would like to bank the fire overnight during the coldest weeks of winter but not sure how to do this, I've brought in coal as i doubt that wood would last the night is it just a case of throw it in then all but close up the vents? or is there an art to it, any tips would be appreciated, i've a feeling there going to be a few cold mornings before i figure it out

muckybutt

What ever you do DO NOT SLUMBER BURN WOOD !

Coal especially smokeless will keep a stove in all night if its a decent stove. Run the stove normally / hot until about 9:30 / 10:00 then bank upwith smokeless, close down the vents completely then just back the one that controls the air intake under the coal off a fraction just to allow a little air in.

If its a decent stove in the morning you'll either have a nice warm glow or red hot coals in there, then all you need to do is open the vents up, give it a riddle and throw a few pieces of wood in there and it should ignite fairly soon and away it'll go again.

If you have never had a stove it is VITAL you NEVER slumber burn or burn damp unseasoned wood, slumber burning wood does not give a complete burn so a lot of the gasses will go up the flue / stack at quite a slow speed, these gasses cool off very quickly which in turn causes the unburnt fuel in the gas to condense back into a thick sticky tar which will soon clog a chimney and cause no end of problems and a higher risk of a chimney fire.

Wood should ideally be burnt in between 250 - 450 degrees for a good clean burn, lower than 250 and that isnt a clean burn, above 450 and you could seriously damage the stove and the flue / chimney.

tori.k

Thanks that what i thought so brought in coal to take us thru the night,worse case im having to build a fire at 4am before work so the other's get to wake up warm, i've got a good load of decent seasoned hardwood and a load that I brought in that was pretty carp so we have restacked to dry out ( you get what you pay for & lesson learned) Thanks again

Greenfires

When you say "coal" - I guess you mean smokeless fuel and not housecoal?

Swipe

I don't have to bank or do anything for my stove to be in overnight with a decent smokeless coal. I just do a quick draw and put a small shovelful on before I go to work then it just stays in from the main load at 5pm.

tori.k

Yes it's smokeless Greenfires less mess

asharon

i get my stove in soon , some good tips !

A._Badger

Here's another tip, which I hope is some help.. Smokeless fuels are not identical and some stoves/installations prefer one type over another.

Try several varieties until you find the one that works best for your application.