BURNING COAL IN YOUR WOOD- CHUCK
Never attempt to burn coal without a shaker grate. Shaker grates are standard on Models 2900 and 4000 but optional on Model 526.
A barometric draft control in the smoke pipe must be used when burning coal.
CAUTION:
UNSAFE TO LOAD COAL ABOVE TOP OF FIRE BRICK.
STARTING A COAL FIRE
Open all draft controls on your Woodchuck.
Build a fire using dry wood kindling and establish a bed of coals. Add several small shovels of coal over the wood coals. After the coal fire is established and spread throughout the firebox, add larger amounts of coal to build up the coal bed. Gently shake the grate until live coals fall into the ash pan area. Allow your Woodchuck to operate with drafts open for approximately 15 minutes or until fresh coal ignites. When the coal is properly ig- nited, adjust the drafts accordingly. Check the fire peri- odically to be sure it is spreading through the coal bed.
RECHARGING
Gently shake grates down. Open drafts and establish a good flow of primary air below the grates. When re- charging, fresh coal tends to give off large quantities of volatile gas. This gas may accumulate and possibly ig- nite causing a backpuff. To reduce
BANKING
Banking allows you to recharge in such a manner as to retain a hot coal bed throughout the night. Approxi- mately an hour before retiring for the night, push the coals to the rear of the firebox with the coal tapered down in the front. Add a new layer of coal. Always leave some hot coals exposed in the front. This allows for more coal to be added to the firebox.
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 firebox to remove clinkers. These should be re- moved with gloves or tongs, and as always, put into a metallic
BITUMINOUS RECHARGING
Because bituminous coal has a higher percent of sul- phur and lower percent of fixed carbon than anthracite, recharging should be as follows:
Gently shake down grates, with drafts open and a good flow of primary air entering below the grates. Push the hot coals to the rear of the fire box and position fresh coal on the grate in front of the banked coal. As the fresh coal begins to burn, wood may be added to the top of the coal.
NOTE: Woodchuck recommends coal 1 inch to 3 inches in diameter. Ashes may be sifted through a mesh screen to reclaim particles of unburned coal.
HELPFUL HINTS
Burning coal will provide a lesson in patience. Take the time necessary to experiment and understand the oper- ation of your Woodchuck wood/coal furnace.
Too much draft air will cause clinkering of coal and will waste heat up the chimney. Shut draft down to as low a point as you can and still heat your home.
1.NEVER stand in front of loading door when opening it. Stand to the side.
2.NEVER completely cover the live fire with fresh coal. Always leave a generous area of burning coal at the top of the fire and at the rear.
3.Always keep the ash pit clean.
If the fire goes out or does not hold overnight look for:
1.Poor draft.
2.Incorrect damper settings.
3.Improper firing methods for coal being used.
4.More combustion air needed.
5.Coal not sized to furnace. We recommend 1" to 3" di- ameter pieces of coal.
6.Ashes, if allowed to accumulate in the ash pit, will not allow the required air for combustion. Keep ash pit clean.
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