Coal? Heat Mass?

[Aaron Graff]

Hey all. First, let me say that ultimately I love my Wiseway GW1949. We get in disagreements from time to time but I recognize the overall benefit this stove affords my family, being gravity fed and all. The issues I’ve experienced are nothing new to what others experience - ash build up, creosote jamming the firebox, glass blackens almost immediately, etc. but when it’s running at full tilt (for me, about 550 degrees on the dial) it heats my home wonderfully and I just watch it burn. Our longest consecutive run was from the week before this past Christmas until January 10th or so, just emptying the ash pan and adding pellets.

Anyway, I can’t help but wonder about a few things though and I would welcome any feedback. I saw that a few folks mix in rice coal with their wood pellets - has anyone tried to run straight coal? I know anthracite coal can be sold in bags of “pea-sized” pieces and I know coal makes fine ash. Coal burns slower and hotter so if this would be safely possible, the benefits would be less fuel for equal heat (my poor wife wouldn’t have to lift bags into the hopper as often when I travel for work). 

Also, what about a heat mass? I a, thinking a cinder block brick (maybe triangle-shaped) right on top of the first heat shield between bends 1 and 2. I figure a brick on the pipe by the burn chamber may insulate it too much, making it way to hot and block the air convection.

Just some thoughts. I’m afraid to try any of these experiments myself on my stove as I depend on it tremendously.  Maybe I should start a crowdfunding campaign to buy another strictly to test everyone’s ideas out :) let me know what you think.

Aaron

[Tony Cole]

Your mileage may vary with regards to adding heat mass - but I tried attaching these two aluminum heat sinks (from https://www.heatsinkusa.com/) for a couple weeks and didn't notice a big enough difference to justify the cost (I think around $30/sink). My best advice/solution for distributing the heat into the room is to add fans (ecofans, small desk fan, etc).

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[Aaron Graff]

I hear ya. Fans definitely make the most sense. I do have an ecofan on the bottom tube facing backwards (to promote the convection direction) and it does OK moving a bit of air. 

Quick side note, I sat in my chair next to the stove last night to write my original post and the temp was about 500. I come home from work tonight and the temperature is still straight up, 500. When she goes, she goes. A full 24 hours - added pellets this morning on my way out.