better burn

[trapper]

I have a central boiler classic and find I get a better burn if I keep A little space between the wood and the walls of the furnace.  Most likely because the water filled walls keep the wood against them too cool for good combustion.
Marv

[beenthere]

Good theory there Trapper. I find the same thing.

[Logging logginglogging]

I find the same thing in my E2300, with good wood i never get any bridging anayway, but lots of times i make a neat stack without touching any of the walls when i load it. Seems to burn very well that way. I fugure it lets the blower air circulate better.

[forest]

How much wood do you usually put in? I have been experimenting and find that smaller quantities seem to work the best. I put in five to six twenty-two inch split pieces per loading and load three times a day when it is colder. I own an e-classic 2400 and find that keeping the metal air tube for high burn clear of ashes really helps reach the high burns. (Like the manual explains – only took me a year and half to discover what was clearly written)

[trapper]

Just a little more than I guestimate it will burn before I fill it again.  Depends on if it is +30 or -20 outside and if the wind is blowing and what i am using.  Ash when cold cotton wood in milder temp. Wisconsin if you dont like the weather wait 10 minutes.  Number of pices I cant tell you because my wood is from smaller than my wrist to over 12" in diameter.  Also tho most is cut to 30" I have a pile of everything from 8" long and up.

[Roger2561]

I have a CB E-classic 1400 and I too have found that if there is space between between the wall and wood it burns better, more complete burn.  I have been experimenting with the amount of wood I put in every 12 hours and I have found that if I put in 4 or 5, 6" to 8" diameter by 24" long pieces, I get very little ash build up in the firebox.  If it's very cold, I'll put in 5 or 6 pieces and have a very strong coal bed.  This may not work everyone but works great for me.  Roger   

[Logging logginglogging]

4 pieces on milder days... 5-6 when its cod. I fill once at night when i get home from work, and I fill once in the morning before i leave for work.  stack it fairly neatly inside not touching the walls. seems to burn great that way.

[petefrom bearswamp]

I stoke my old (2005) classic twice a day with from 5 to 10 pieces 22 long depending on temp and wind.
The only time I stuff it full is when we visit daughter, SIL and grandkids about 4 hrs away and stay for a couple of days.
Usually have jacket temp of 130 to 140 or so when we get home and enough coals to restart the fire.
i am burning ash presently and have been for the past 3 years and probably into 2015.

[SwampDonkey]

You will also have a better fire if you place your wood in a pyramid fashion, but loosely stacked. That goes for any furnace.

[Slabs]

Ol' Smokey (my IWB) has a "wet" grate and the coals seem to take a bit of time to completely burn up. But that may be an advantage.

[pyrocasto]

Do these boilers have firebrick in them, or just the metal firbox? It would seem better to insulate the firebox and then heat the water after combustion. Just a thought though. My stove is insulated all the way around, from firebrick on bottom and sides to ceramic insulation on top, to get a good combustion temperature while protecting the steel.