Use and Care Guide

-9-
RC454
A Guide To Burning Coal In Your Furnace
When the re is well established and the room is becoming warm, partially close the dampers. Some experimenting
will have to take place with each particular setting of all dampers and controls as the 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, one should be able to turn the secondary air supply
below the feed door (some models) to a near closed position - but leave the ash pit damper at least partially
open to prevent the re from going out. Adjust the stove pipe damper to reduce the draft on the re. With
anthracite there will be short blue ames above the coal, except when the re is started or a new charge is
added. If, however, there is no ame then the re 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 the
stove pipe damper and turn the thermostat damper to high, which will allow the re 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 rebox. Try not to disturb the re 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 (or thermostat) open for a few minutes until the volatile
gases have burned off. It is not necessary to shake down the ashes each time you refuel the furnace. Experience
will be your best teacher.
BANKING THE FIRE
For extended operation, such as overnight, the re will need to be banked. To do so heap coal up along the
sides and back of the rebox so that the re gradually burns it over a longer period of time. The intensity of the
re will also be reduced 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 re during this time. After loading, let the re
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 re is well established.
To revive a coal re that is almost out,
(1) open the ash door and stove pipe damper and close the spin damper under the door to get a good draft
through the grate.
(2) place a thin layer of dry coal over the entire top of the re. 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), refuel.
DO NOT burn coke, charcoal, high volatile bituminous coal, sub bituminous, lignite or cannel coal (sometimes
called channel coal or candle coal).
NEVER burn wax or chemically impregnated sawdust logs - their intended use is for replaces only.
NEVER ll the stove or furnace above the rebrick or cast iron liner.