Burning charcoal- UMC-CH1 Charcoal Burner Module
Lanny Henson May 13 2006
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Stove Friends, thank you for your intelligent and useful comments.
I have added an inner and outer (double wall) shell to the simple two can burner to make a burner module.
I salvaged an A- outer and B-inner shell from a previous stove to hold E-the simple two can charcoal burner.
I added two tin can combustion air controls C&D. The F- simple folded bar grate sits on G- 2 wires from a bucket handle.
This made a burner module. UMC-CH1
I added a bucket lid to the burner and set a bucket on top as a draft body; this is where a heat-utilizing module will set. It can be a sunken pot, a grill, a pan, griddle or a water heater.
I used 20 grams of paper (about one full sheet of news print) to fire the charcoal. In 7 minutes it began to flame in the hole (X). I heard it ignite with a puff. Moisture was still being vaporized from the briquettes, as there was white vapor smoke. I was surprised that there was flame before all the moisture had been driven out.
In 10 minuets I closed the air controls and left one cracked. In 30 min it seemed to be burning too fast, I was trying to burn slowly to test it turned down. The draft body was too powerful so I removed it. The charcoal continued to burn for 1.5 more hours that is 2 hours total. A heat-utilizing module could help slow the burn and prevent oxygen from blowing in from the top of the burner.
I am also pleased with the ease of start and the stable wide base and the way the grate clears itself with no ash buildup. I have used the same grate several times with charcoal and it is holding up very well. It is going to be a lot more durable than I thought.
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http://www.lanny.us/umcch1.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch2.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch3.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch4.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch5.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch6.jpg
http://www.lanny.us/umcch7.jpg
So now I need heat-utilizing modules!
A lot of different types of burners could use an outer and inner shell to make a stable wide base insulated stove/burner body.
Also maybe someone could use some of these parts and methods to make a batch load top lit burner that will burn small wood or wood chips.
How about a Rocket Burner module?
Also please copy my work and verify my results.
Lanny Henson
The wire frame turned cherry red or about 700degC but the charcoal glowed a light orange to yellow color.
See this Color chart for steel when heated.
http://www.westyorkssteel.com/Heat_Treatment/htchart.htm#top%20of%20page
Why the flame?
Maybe some steel is oxidizing or the air flow was just better with the steel wire frame.
I will carefully maintain the same dia hole, with and with out the frame and see.
I have often lit my grilling charcoal in a charcoal starter chimney, by maintaining a hole in the center. The hole allows airflow otherwise blocked by the charcoal and it starts faster. So I have seen fire in the hole many times but I have never seen the continuous steady flames before using this wire frame. Something is different!
It could be: the frame simply maintained a larger hole; or reduced the friction, or had some sort of catalytic effect or It could have just been the wind.
Lanny Henson
See discussion May 2006
http://listserv.repp.org/pipermail/stoves/