Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption
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Chez
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Hunter solid fuel cooker questionWe have had our lovely solid fuel cooker fitted for a couple of months and mostly, it has been working fine.
However ... over the last fews days we have been virtually smoked out, unless we damp it right down.
I had a long chat to Mochyn's Old Chap last night and we went through all the things we could think of:
Wet fuel? - no
Chimbley needs sweeping? - can't see it, it was newly lined when the range was installed
Birds nest? - possible, but haven't noticed any bird activity. Mochyn's OC has offered chimney rods to make sure.
Chinese hat thing on top meaning it's not drawing very well in this east wind? - possible, will consult with installer tomorrow.
Anyone else have any suggestions? Or, even better, know anyone with one? It's basically a poor-man's rayburn and is doing a fine job adding to the solar water and the oil CH. It's an obsolete model, so the manufacturing company aren't able to help - Hunter now only do solid fuel stoves, not range cookers, I've tried them.
Gah.
*retires, to put on gas mask again*
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RichardW
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It will be a blocked flue.
What goes in must come out.
Justme
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Chez
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I have just rather gingerly dismantled all the bottom bits of the chimbley and poked around in there, and I think you are right. The bit where the smoke goes through via the damper was completely furred up with black tarry stuff and as I have now got more of it over me that was in the flue it seems to be drawing better.
Is that amount of gunking up in a month or so of use normal? Or am I burning a gunky kind of coal and should be looking at a different kind? Anthracite at the moment.
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Chez
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I *heart* downsizer - Woodsprite's OH, who installed it for us and who I didn't want to ring and disturb on a weekend has just phoned and talked me through keeping my flues clean, because Woodsprite saw my post ...
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RichardW
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Normaly if you burn HOT daily you get less build up. Letting it tick over for long periods will soon cause build up. Also unseasoned wood.
Justme
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