Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: airflowdevelop on October 13, 2011, 07:58:43 PM

Title: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: airflowdevelop on October 13, 2011, 07:58:43 PM: I have searched this site and the NEPA site for information. It seems that few are burning coal outdoors. I am curious why that is and more importantly if you were going to burn coal what boiler and why? I see a few here play with it but not much feedback.

I will be heating a 2000 sqft house that is well insulated. DMHW.

I will also be heating a 3500 sqft shop that is well insulated. I am looking to add another 1400 sqft to the shop and 1200 sqft to the house shortly. I currently tend a pellet furnace and a pellet stove so the work part doesn't bother me. I am located in central PA so coal is everywhere you turn.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dennis
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: RSI on October 13, 2011, 09:02:45 PM: Nature's Comfort just came out with a model for mainly burning coal. I have no idea how good it works since there is no coal around here.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: Scott7m on October 13, 2011, 09:22:29 PM: Headmaster can be ran with coal, they have a good shaker grate system that works great with coal
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 13, 2011, 09:32:53 PM: I burned 80% coal last year in a MF3000. I am hooked, will not be going another year without it.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: dumbodog00 on October 14, 2011, 03:23:26 PM: Hardy has factory shaker grates that can be used exclusively for coal in their outdoor burners.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: Firechaser on October 14, 2011, 03:36:36 PM: Portage and Main also can be ordered with shakers grates
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: airflowdevelop on October 14, 2011, 06:08:12 PM: Yoder,
Did you notice more btu output / lower cycle times from the coal? I would hate to purchase a stove that is too big and have clickers. Being in VA were you burning anthracite or bitumonous? What kind of space are you heating and what kind of burn times are you seeing?

Thanks
Dennis
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: fireboss on October 14, 2011, 07:15:37 PM: Can I burn coal in my cb 6048?
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 14, 2011, 08:10:21 PM: Airflow, I think it is bitumonous that comes from either south west Virginia or Eastern Kentucky. The last I have burned is house coal, anything from the size of your fist to the size of your head. I am heating an 90 year old 2 story house that isn't insulated well. With my old 3000 in the heart of winter I could get 8 hours from a load of pine and 12 hours from good hardwood. I started mixing coal and wood and got anywhere from 18 - 30 hours. I expect that my new 3000HE will do much better than that, I can't wait until it drops down to zero and I can compare.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: airflowdevelop on October 14, 2011, 08:23:11 PM: that is kind of what I figured. So a stove rated at 250k btu should do cherry for what I want even in the future on anthracite.

Man... I wish I could easily ship you some egg real hard anthracite!!!
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: Scott7m on October 14, 2011, 08:49:15 PM: Quote from: fireboss on October 14, 2011, 07:15:37 PM
Can I burn coal in my cb 6048?

No, coal needs air coming in under it to burn right
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: jon d on October 14, 2011, 09:01:27 PM: Quote from: Scott7m on October 14, 2011, 08:49:15 PM
Quote from: fireboss on October 14, 2011, 07:15:37 PM
Can I burn coal in my cb 6048?

No, coal needs air coming in under it to burn right
Never burned coal. How about mixing some in while filling a cb?
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 14, 2011, 10:16:56 PM: I've heard stories about anthracite, I would love to try some sometime. Where is it mined at?
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: airflowdevelop on October 14, 2011, 10:19:33 PM: Central and NE PA.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 14, 2011, 10:22:07 PM: I see, so I doubt I can get any down here in Va. Maybe one day when I'm up that way I will be able to get some. I always enjoy trying to burn new things.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: fireboss on October 15, 2011, 04:33:07 AM: scott7m what if i was to weld a rack in my 6048
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: mcarter on October 15, 2011, 09:19:37 AM: fireboss, would that void your warranty?
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 15, 2011, 01:17:23 PM: I think MCarter has a good point. Always check with the furnace manufacturer before making modifications.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: fireboss on October 15, 2011, 03:43:10 PM: good point
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: mcarter on October 15, 2011, 06:52:09 PM: Would a heavy gauge steel grate that is 'free floating' be an option? You could slide it in when you use coal to lift it off the bottom and allow the appropriate air flow. You wouldnt need to weld it in permanently. I really have no idea if this would work or not, I've never burned coal. Good luck!

Michael
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: fireboss on October 16, 2011, 05:24:52 AM: I want to try it! wood is not a problem I just cant stop messing with my wb
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: yoderheating on October 16, 2011, 05:48:07 AM: Coal also needs a good draft to burn well, I don't know how well it would do with a natural draft furnace designed to burn wood. If you try it let us know how it does.
Title: Re: OWB for primary use with coal
Post by: fireboss on October 16, 2011, 06:54:19 PM: I have a draft inducer ''fan'' on it . The guy i work with just got a coal stove i will ask him for some coal to try it !