not covered, the coal will not ignite. Keep the draft controls open. Once a layer has started to burn
and turn red, another layer can be added.
Continue adding layers of Anthracite coal until there is a solid bed of burning coal. Adding to
much coal at one time can put the fire out. Allow sufficient time between each layer (at least 10-15
minutes), so that each layer has time to ignite thoroughly before the next layer is put in. When a
substantial bed of burning coal has been established, fill the stove to approximately the top of the
firebrick. Never load coal above the firebrick lining. A deep bed of coal will always burn more
satisfactory than a shallow bed. Control the heat output of the stove by the amount of air (draft
controls), not by the amount of fuel in the unit. When the deep bed of coal is completely ignited,
the Dial Heat Regulator should be set to desired heat output.
Starting A Bituminous Coal Fire:
Bituminous coal
is much easier to start
because it is more volatile. Take several sheets of
newspaper, crumble into balls and place on top of grates. Next, lay fine kindling on top of the
paper. The kindling must be dry and no lar
ger than 3/4” in diameter. Layer the kindling in a
crisscross fashion to allow good air flow. Open the draft control fully, this can be found on the back
of the free standing units and the ash door slide. Then light the paper just inside the door. Now,
close the loading door and allow the kindling to catch fire. After a few minutes, open the loading
door an inch or two for a few seconds before opening completely. This method will allow smoke to
clear away from the door opening before the loading door is completely opened. Add a good
amount of small, compact pieces of hardwood when the kindling fire is burning hot. Once this fire
is established you can start to add coal. Size of Bituminous coal, sometimes referred to as lump
coal, can vary greatly. It can range from so large it will almost not fit in the door to extremely small.
All sizes will burn however bituminous coal has a low fusion temperature and the smaller sizes
can fuse together. This can start to restrict air flow and the ability of the coal to burn. When this
happens this block of burning coal must be broken up with a poker to restore proper operation.
Add the coal in a couple of stages however it is not necessary to build it up in thin layers like
anthracite coal. Do not ever build the coal bed higher than the firebricks as this can cause severe
damage to your stove. When the coal bed is completely ignited, the Dial Heat Regulator should be
set to desired heat output.
Adjusting Your Dial Heat Regulator:
The Dial Heat Regulator is the primary control for the combustion air for your fire. By controlling
the combustion air to the fire you control the speed of the coal combustion process thus
controlling the heat produced by the stove. What this control does is maintain the firebox at a
given temperature by adding more or less air. There will be an initial trial and error period as you
determine what stove temperature gives you the amount of heat you need in your house. Once
this setting is determined you should not have to change the setting unless there is a major
change outside. A good example of this is when we go from fall into the dead of winter and the
house requires more heat. You may then need to turn the control up.. Likewise as the temperature
starts to moderate towards spring you may have to turn it down. It is not however something you
will be turning every day or much at all.
Here is the procedure to determine what your setting should be. First open the control and get
your fire going as previously stated in these instructions. Once the fire is going, set the Dial Heat
Regulator somewhere around mid-scale (Number 6-8). Leave it there for around 6-8 hours. If
there is too much heat or not enough heat adjust the control up or down one number. You then
need to wait half a day or more again. It will take the stove several hours to stabilize at the new
temperature. It will then take the house half a day or more to stabilize at the new temperature. If
there is still too much or too little heat make another small adjustment and wait the same amount
of time again.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS AND PLENTY OF
TIME IN BETWEEN ADJUSTMENTS OR YOU WILL ALWAYS BE CHASING THE PROPER
SETTING AND NOT FIND IT.
Once you do find your setting you will not have to make many
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