©
EUROHEAT
DISTRIBUTORS (H.B.S) LTD. Nov 2004
E & OE Instructions Part number IN1011 Ed.3
8
Operation with Coal
When burning coal, all the air entering the stove must be supplied through the grate and be controlled
by the
thermostatic damper
. Allowing air into the stove through the
air wash vent
will possibly cause
the fire to burn out of control at a higher rate than the stove was designed for. Because of the intense
heat generated within the coal itself the grate will, without being cooled by the incoming air, become
overheated and damaged. The
thermostatic damper
is designed to regulate the fire to burn at a
constant and controlled output whatever the fuel load, and because it operates gradually the grate is
always supplied with sufficient cooling air for the fire size. The
thermostatic damper
purposely reacts
to temperature changes slowly, corresponding to the way in which a coal fire will naturally respond to a
changing air supply. Overriding this by setting the control to the extremes in an attempt to build up the
firing rate rapidly, then shutting it down suddenly, is of no benefit and may cause damage to the stove.
Sudden loss of air through the grate may allow the grate to overheat, it will cause clinker to be formed
and will for some time fill the stove with gases which could ignite suddenly if an air supply is reintroduced.
All adjustments to the
thermostatic damper
should be done as gradually as possible.
Burning bituminous coals or the practice of mixing coal and wood is not recommended
because it will require constant adjustment of the stove's air supplies to prevent the
glass sooting or the coal to be burned satisfactorily without risk of damage to the grate.
Take the time to try all the fuels your coal merchant recommends for your stove, to find
the product which will give you the burning characteristics you want. Poor quality coal or
mixing fuels is both labour intensive and a false economy.
Fuelling the Stove with Coal
Before refuelling the stove, the grate should be riddled and the stove allowed a few
minutes burning to ensure ash has not been restricting air into the fire. Failure to do
this may result in the occurrence of newly introduced fuel being heated sufficiently
to give off some volatile gases which are unable to burn because of air deficiency.
Riddling the stove at this point will introduce an increased air supply which, if the
volatile gases are hot enough, will cause a small, safe, but disconcerting explosion as these gases
suddenly ignite. For similar reasons, whilst it is generally advised that all air supplies to a stove
should be closed to increase the flow of air in through the open door when refuelling, when burning
coal care should be taken if the stove was burning brightly to open the door slightly before shutting
the
thermostatic damper.
As with wood burning, reloading on a "little but often" cycle will give
the best visual effect, but unlike wood no special techniques need be applied when loading large
amounts for extended burning cycles.
Ash Removal with Coal
When burning coal it is important to keep the grate free of ash, and vital that ash does not build
up under the grate to prevent the flow of incoming air cooling the grate itself. Binding agents are
sometimes used in manufactured smokeless fuels which will increase the amount of ash produced,
and until the ash content of your fuel is ascertained regular checks must be made to ensure the ash
pan is not over filled. Always be certain the ash pan has sufficient capacity before riddling the grate.
Do not use the ash pan withdrawing tool to carry the ash pan, use both hands and wear heat proof
gloves. Leaving the ash door of the stove open allows an uncontrolled air supply into the stove and
may allow the stove to burn at a rate far beyond its design capability. Make it a practice never to
leave this door open.
