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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Burning Coal in your 4027/ASA7
Your Wondercoal is capable of burning both bituminous and Anthracite coal. Anthracite is the best coal fuel because its long even burn time, high
heat output, and cleanliness make it a good choice for the home. However, keep in mind it is a much more difficult fuel to use and requires more care
and patience.
SIZE OF COAL: Most sizes of bituminous coal will work in your heater; for best results we recommend large nut coal to small egg coal (1-3/4" diameter
to 4" diameter). When burning anthracite, use
egg or broken with sizes between 2-5/16" and 4-3/8". Note that it is important to the life of your stove
to buy coal which has been sized and cleaned. Cleaning insures removal of rocks and other materials.
STOVE OPERATION: All coal fires should be started with wood which will allow the fire to get hot enough to ignited the coal. The Best ignition fires
utilize dry pine or other resinous soft woods as kindling, with hard wood (oak, hickory, ash) added to increase the heat prior to adding the coal.
BITUMINOUS: Once your kindling and wood fire has produced a bed of well established coals start adding coal in layers allowing each to ignite before
adding more. Bituminous has a high volatile content and, as a result, should be fired with the "conical method" - with the highest portion of your firebed
in the center of the firebox. The first flames will be long and generally orange or yellow and produce quite a bit of smoke. As the gases burn off the
flames become shorter, change color and produce less smoke.
Once the fire is WELL ESTABLISHED add coal to the center of the firebox forming the cone. Burning in this fashion allows heat to drive off the volatile
gases, and turbulence created increases the burn efficiency. You will have to experiment with your particular setup as no two chimney's and installations
are going to be the same. Just remember to allow enough secondary air to enter and keep your stove pipe damper open so that volatiles are properly
burned. Before refueling, take the time to break up the cone a little with a poker, especially if it has caked over or formed a crust. But, be careful
not to mix the coal as this increases the chances of forming clinkers. When shaking the grate be gentle. Just a few short movements - front to rear
- are beter than a lot of agitation. The objective is to remove a small amount of the ashes without disturbing the fire. Stop when you see a glow in
the ashes or the first red coals fall into the ash pan. Excessive shaking wastes fuel and can expose the grate to very high temperatures which can
cause warpage or burnout.
For overnight operation (long duration burn time) shake the fire and add coal, retaining your center cone. Once the volatiles are burned off close
the feed door and adjust your stove pipe damper. Then adjust your thermostat to the desired heat level.
You will have more MAINTENANCE with bituminous than with anthracite coal as more soot will collect on heating surfaces and in pipes, requiring more
frequent cleaning.
ANTHRACITE: Before starting the fire open the stove pipe damper, turn the automatic thermostat to high, open the ash pit door and feed door, place
newspaper and finely split kindling on the grate, light the paper, add larger hard wood after the kindling is burning brightly. CAUTION: Never use gasoline,
lantern fuel, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or other flammable liquids to start or freshen up a fire in this heater. Place the larger pieces
of wood on the fire so that are slightly separated and form a level for the addition of coal. It will take 10 to 20 minutes before this wood is thoroughly
ignited. Adding coal too soon will cut the air supply and smother the fire.
Add a thin layer of coal (perferably smaller chunks) to the wood fire, being careful not to disturb it too much or cut off the draft. Then, add a second
heavier layer after the coal is ignited and burning well. If necessary, add a third layer to bring the coal up to the top of the front brick (not above!).
Be sure you have closed your ash door.
Before adding further fuel, be sure you leave a red spot of glowing coals in the center of the firebox to insure that you have not smothered the fire
and to help ignite the gases given off by the new charge. A deep charge will give a more heat and a longer fire but it may take one to two hours before
the whole bed is fully ignited.
When the fire is well established and the room is becoming warm, partially close the dampers. You will have to experiment with your particular setting
of all dampers and controls as your chimney provides the draft necessary to not only exhaust the smoke, but to pull combustion air into the heater
as well - and no two chimney's perform the same. Under ideal draft conditions you should be able to turn the secondary air supply on the feed door
to a near closed position - but leave the ash pit damper at least partially open to prevent the fire from going out. Adjust the stove pipe damper to reduce
the draft on the fire. With anthracite you will see short blue flames above the coal, except when the fire is started or a new charge is added. If, however,
there is no flame then the fire needs more air from the bottom (unless it is near the end of its burn cycle and needs to be recharged).
Only when the coal is burned down to half its original depth it is time to add fresh coal. When doing so, open your stove pipe damper and turn your
thermostat damper to high, which will allow the fire to burn off any accumulated gases. Open the feed door, and with a small rake, hoe or hooked
poker pull the glowing coals to the front of the firebox. Try not to disturb the fire too much. Next, add a fresh charge to the back being careful not
to seal off the top. Close the feed door but leave the spin damper (Fig. 9) open for a few minutes until the until the volatile gases have burned off.
It is not necessary to shake down the ashes each time you refuel your Wondercoal. Experience will be your best teacher.
BANKING THE FIRE: For extended operation, such as overnight, you will need to bank the fire. To do so heap coal up along the sides and back
of the firebox so that the fire gradually burns it over a longer period of time. You will also reduce the intensity of the fire without letting it go out. Follow
the same procedure as for refueling. If possible, avoid shaking, as a heavier layer of ash will help reduce the intensity of the fire during this time. After
loading let the fire establish itself for about 30 minutes. Then close your damper and automatic control to the point where the house does not become
too cold. It is important that you begin banking early enough before retiring or leaving that you can make necessary adjustments after the fire is well
established.
To revive a coal fire that is almost out, you should (1) open the ash door and stove pipe damper and close the spin damper (Fig. 9) on the door to
get a good enough draft through the grate. (2) Place a thin layer of dry coals over the entire top of the fire. DO NOT POKE OR SHAKE THE FIRE
AT THIS TIME! (3) After the fresh coal has become well ignited shake the grate (just a little) and you will be ready to refuel.
DO NOT burn coke, charcoal, high volatile bituminous coal, sub bituminous, lignite or cannel coal (sometimes called channel or candle coal). NEVER
burn wax or chemically impregnated sawdust logs - their intended use is for fireplaces only.