Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: justinb on October 30, 2014, 07:04:40 AM

Title: Best location for the fire
Post by: justinb on October 30, 2014, 07:04:40 AM
I'm referring to inside the firebox.  Is it best to have the wood moved toward the front, middle, rear, or the entire box?  My fan seems to push the most air up from the rear of the box, but it's a lot easier to load wood towards the front.  I'm having an awful time keeping my fire going, and was wondering if this detail matters.  Fire went out again last night.  Woke up to cold house and cold shower :bash:. 
Title: Re: Best location for the fire
Post by: Brad on October 30, 2014, 07:30:03 AM
I keep mine in the back closer to the blower.  Have not had the fire go out yet.  When it's warmer out I put in smaller piece on the bottom and then throw a larger one on the top.  No need to pack it full.. I put in just enough to get a 12 hour burn at a time.  I'm sure more fellas will chime in but this is what I have found works for me.
Title: Re: Best location for the fire
Post by: Scratch on October 30, 2014, 09:37:41 AM
I keep mine to the front, but I don't have a fan. My CB6048 just has a damper that opens and closes.  Plus the top of the firebox is kind of designed to hold the heat in the front and not let it go out the chimney.

(http://www.centralboiler.com/images/cutaway08.gif)
Title: Re: Best location for the fire
Post by: mlappin on October 30, 2014, 01:54:08 PM
I keep mine to the front, but I don't have a fan. My CB6048 just has a damper that opens and closes.  Plus the top of the firebox is kind of designed to hold the heat in the front and not let it go out the chimney.

(http://www.centralboiler.com/images/cutaway08.gif)

Ditto on my homebuilt unit, I can fit a five foot log under the baffle, but unless it's bitterly cold I just keep the wood at the front of the firebox and no problems with it going out.
Title: Re: Best location for the fire
Post by: CountryBoyJohn on October 30, 2014, 08:21:18 PM
Mr. Justin, we have very large stoves and reaching the back can be difficult. When starting out with an empty ash pan, I've found most of the air goes up the back. As the ash pan fills up, and your coal bed deepens, it migrates to the front. Use the pusher tool that came with your stove. You'll get it!