© EUROHEAT DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD. June. 2010
Instructions Part Number IN1180 Ed.D1
27
Advanced Insert Driving With Coal
(Also known as solid mineral fuel)
Because it is the volatile gasses that produce smoke, all coals defined as being
“smokeless” either naturally have low volatile content or have had their volatile
content reduced during their manufacturing process and so many of the problems
associated with solid fuels are eliminated. Some of the manufactured coals produce
more ash than might be expected, and have additives binding the coals into
symmetrical shapes which tend to leave residues on the insert glass, but this can
easily be avoided.
When To Put On More Coal
Smokeless coals will produce flames when they initially begin burning. The amount of flame will diminish at a
rate depending on the specific coals being burned but all smokeless fuels give almost all their heat from being a
red hot mass. While it is acceptable to add more coals when the fire bed reaches this uniform red glow, unless you
are building the fire up to produce the insert’s maximum heat output the fire should be left until ash is forming
on the tops of the coals before adding more coals.
How To Put On Coal
If ash formation makes it necessary to riddle the insert, always riddle before adding new coals. It is only necessary
to riddle if ash is restricting air passing through the grate to the fire. Putting new coals onto a fire that has a
restricted air flow risks gasses being released from the coals with insufficient air to burn and suddenly introducing
air by riddling the grate may cause the accumulated gasses to ignite suddenly and startlingly. New coals should
be loaded onto the fire as an even layer rather than a central mound so that it ignites rapidly and evenly. Never
load more coal than is contained by the
log guard; this is especially important
if rounded formed coals are being
burned
Setting The Burning Rate
If a substantial loading of coals has been placed on the insert it is good practice to increase the air volume a little
until the flames diminish to ensure the majority of volatiles have burned. Once the flames have diminished the
insert’s burning rate can be adjusted to a lower setting of your choice, but doing so in several increments is the
better practice.
Slow, Overnight Burning
The insert will burn gently for extended periods simply
by reducing the air volume to a very low setting with
little or no preparation. Once again it is important not to
reduce the air volume until almost all the flames have
disappeared and if the fire is to be kept in overnight it
is advisable to give the insert a thorough riddling before
leaving it to ensure the ash does not prevent the limited
air supply reaching all the burning coals.
Coal may be easier to manage than wood but if you
have managed to run your insert overnight, without
staining the glass, you will still have achieved the highest
achievement possible as a coal insert operator and you
should award yourself an enormous gold star.
Maximum Loading Height
