ENERGY KING 385EK, Installation, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Page: 32 / 76

Rev 03/12/14 ENERGY KING
®
385EK Wood/Coal Furnace Owner’s Manual  U. S. 26
Operation
BURN AIR-DRIED WOOD, OR ANTHRACITE OR BITUMINOUS COAL ONLY
All home chimneys and hookups are different. After a few fires, you will find the best way to start a
fire in your ENERGY KING Wood/Coal Furnace.
You will get the best efficiency when you add only the amount of coal needed for a 6 to 8 hour burn.
Note: A full load is not always the best solution for your needs.
Burning Coal
Burning coal will provide a lesson in patience.
Take the time necessary to experiment and
understand the operation of your ENERGY
KING Wood/Coal Furnace.
Please keep the following points in mind when
burning coal:
1. A Barometric draft control in the chimney
connector must be used when burning coal.
2.
Never completely cover the live fire with
fresh coal. Always leave a generous area of
burning coal at the top and rear of the fire.
3. Always keep the ash pan clean. Coal firing
produces much more ash than wood. These
ashes must be removed often (possible
daily) in order to avoid piling up too closely to
the grates. Removal of the coal ash will allow
for passage of primary air to the coal bed
and prevent damage or warpage to the
grates.
4. A coal fire should not be poked or broken up,
as this tends to bring ash to the surface of
the coal bed where it may fuse. If the ash
fuses, clinkers will form. It may be necessary
to remove all unburned material and ash
from the burn chamber to remove the
clinkers. These should be carefully removed
using tongs, and always put into an airtight
metal container.
5. If the fire goes out or does not hold
overnight, check for the following:
a. Poor Draft
b. Incorrect damper settings.
c. Improper firing methods for the coal being
used.
d. Coal is not sized to the furnace (see Fuel
Requirements
– Coal).
e. Ashes, if allowed to accumulate in the ash
pan, will not allow the passage of required
air for combustion. Keep the ash pan
clean.
Dispose of ashes with care:
Ashes should be placed in a metal
container with a tight fitting metal lid.
The closed container of ashes should
be placed on a noncombustible floor
or on the ground, well away from all
combustible materials, pending final
disposal.
All coal contains small amounts of
dangerous elements. Therefore it is
essential that your coal ash be
disposed of in municipally designated
areas.