Firing Manual Coal Boilers

greg_7

I have always found that putting a layer of coal under the fire starters works well. Dry cardboard and kindling wood start easily. Old timers used to soak kindling in Kerosene as well.

I use a propane torch to ignite the kindling.

Anthracite needs a hot fire to get going, but once it ignites it will burn well.

I have a stoker fed boiler with a forced draft. I usually have a roaring fire in about 20 mins.

James (Jim) F Wainwright

Best Method

What is the proper method for a cold start-up process for a coal fire burning in a manually-fired cast iron steam or hot water heating boiler? i.e.,...

(a) How should the kindling materials be arranged?

(b) What are the best kindling materials?

(c) What types of kindling materials should be avoided?

(d) Are there types of materials that should not be burned?

(e) Approximately how long before there is a self-sustaining coal fire?

(f) What are the best practices to follow?

(g) What should be avoided to prevent undue boiler stress?

J.C.A.

The Man to ask.....

Timmie ?
I've heard the tales for the process, but let's ask the guy who would KNOW ! Chris

P.S. Can you also explain how to test the combustion efficientcy on these beasts please . Chris ...again

Unknown

It has been a long time

but here goes.

I would first ask is this a new coal system? If it is the manufacturer will have procedures on start up.

If it is an old unit I hope it is in very good repair and that all the dampers and air shutters are working.

What kind of coal are you using in your area is the next question? Soft or hard?

As we go along I may ask George Lanthier to pitch in with some info he has done some work on these in recent years.

Let us get these first questions out of the way.

Certainly anyone else who has been in recent years working with coal. I think Jim Davis mentioned in one of his posts that he has done some work on coal. Most of my experince is on real old boilers and furnaces.

Once we get these questions out of the way I will try to answer the questions asked.

phil the drill

coal fire

A proper coal fire takes between one and one-half hours to build from scratch. A very hot wood fire must first be prepared on a clean grate. As hot coals form in the wood fire, a small amount of coal 1 gal. could be added. When this coal has ignited about ten minutes,additional coal can be added at the rate of one to three gallons every five to ten minutes,NEVER ADD FRESH COAL UNLESS FLAME HAS COME UP THROUGH THE PRIOR LOADING. Coal should be added until a depth of twelve inches is reached. The best condition for a coal fire is to be as deep as it is wide. Hope this helps. MAKE SURE YOUR INSURANCE IS PAYED UP !! GOD BLESS the drill

Floyd_2

When I was a young lad...

paying my way through college.... I had the fun of firing up an old coal steam boiler in an old schoolhouse for the local volleyball games that I also reffed, for the local county recreation assoc.

Anyway, the best way to start that fire was to throw a couple of scoup shovels of coal in the fire box.... then soak it with a gallon of kero.... then stand back and throw the lighted match..... POOOFFFFF!!!!!

Had that baby makin' steam in about 20 minutes!!!!!
Did this a couple times a week for the whole winter, the best part was gettin to drive the old cop car around to get to the games!!!! Big stuff for a 19 yr old!!!

Yea, I was a bit crazy then.... also.

Floyd

Steamhead

Looks like we have a few different ways

From what I've seen, Floyd's method has survived as a way to light charcoal grills.

Phil's way appears in some of my really old books. But I don't have nearly the experience he and Floyd have.

If (or when) we end up using solid fuels again, whoever has this knowledge will rule.

Tell us more about this system! We hardly ever hear of coal-fired units here on the Wall, and I've only seen two myself and both had stokers.

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Jim Davis

Coal Boilers

When I was in basic training in the Army (1966) I volunteered to be a barracks fireman. Didn't exactly know at the time what that was. Mostly it was to be an all night fire alarm and wake everyone up. But it also included hand-firing a coal fired furnace and water heater. This was long before I had an inkling that I would end up in this business.
Wood was fine for starting the fire, but we would break some of the coal up in smaller chunks to to get it to fire more quickly. We were taught to bank the fire, or pile it higher in the back than in the front. This controlled the burn better to keep it all from burning up at one time. The amount of coal you put in will be trial and error. If you are using too much larger chunks(klinkers)will be left over. When burning correctly, these should be small. Wood and coal furnaces require more draft than most appliances.-.05"W.C.. The draft door under the coal and over the coal need proper adjustment. CO testing and smoke testing can accomplish this and is indicated by the amount of unburned coal.

Tony Conner

See If...

...you can find a copy of "Audel's House Heating Guide". It's got a section on hand firing coal.