Air control coals and STT

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ozarkoak

Feeling the Heat
Nov 1, 2020
272
Arkansas
I'm wondering if during the coaling stage it creates more heat to the stove top to open the air control fully to give the coals more oxygen or to leave the air control closed. With the thought opening the control more fully will introduce more cold air into the stove. What do you think or know?
 
I would open the air. Coals don't burn fast so BTU production rate is low. Add air and the rate will go up so you get more heat.
I add a softwood split to make even more heat.
 
I open the air and close my damper. I find if I open the air and leave the damper open the heat seems to go up the flue. When I get my burn settled in with wood I usually re-open the damper. That’s just the difference I use when dealing with coals.
 
I open the air and close my damper. I find if I open the air and leave the damper open the heat seems to go up the flue. When I get my burn settled in with wood I usually re-open the damper. That’s just the difference I use when dealing with coals.

Flue/key damper that is, to be clear?
 
I'm wondering if during the coaling stage it creates more heat to the stove top to open the air control fully to give the coals more oxygen or to leave the air control closed. With the thought opening the control more fully will introduce more cold air into the stove. What do you think or know?
Doo you have a STT thermometer? I open the air wide open when there's only coals and the STT rises nicely. Then I reload over nice hot coal bed and keep it all rolling.
 
I think we also need to be aware that what one person calls the coaling stage may not be the same for the other person.

E.g. I may have less coals to do what I do than the moment you take action.
Generally I start doing something when there's only two scoops left. If I take them to the front, it's one line the width of my hand and 2" tall.

I suspect that the result of air actions may depend on how many coals (fuel) there still are.
 
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Im terrible at N/S stacking. its a 50/50 chance I will have to open the door to rearrange especially with a cooler box (under 300F). Almost seems like the air wash is not a great help and more of a detriment with N/S starts and a small amount of coals.
 
Coaling stage starts for me when there are no more visible signs of a split, still in form. At this point, if I'm trying to burn them down, I leave the air wide open and bypass damper remains closed. They provide good heat, mostly do to the large firebox in the furnace. I stir them a little once every 20-30mins until the blue flames have diminished. If I don't need heat, I let it go. If I do, I add fuel.