How to properly heat a solid fuel boiler

All owners need to know what and how to properly heat a solid fuel boiler. After all, the efficiency of the boiler, its service life, fuel consumption, etc. will depend on compliance with these simple rules. The process of using a boiler consists of several stages and depends on its model.

How to properly heat a solid fuel boiler

The whole process can be divided into 3 stages:

1. Selection and preparation of fuel suitable for a particular boiler;
2. warming up the system;
3. ignition and switching to automatic operation.

The use of solid fuel boilers has its own operating characteristics:

• the need to constantly check the temperature inside the system;
• different water volumes in the system and the design of the heat exchanger;
• the need for proper fuel selection;
• dependence on the availability of electricity in some models;
• the need for maintenance of the equipment and its individual parts.

If an unpleasant odor appears during the very first start-up, this does not indicate a malfunction. This is due to the fact that at the production stage, the boiler body is covered with a special enamel, which will gradually burn out at first, emitting a specific odor. Therefore, the first start-up should be carried out in a well-ventilated area at maximum power for at least 1 hour.

Fuel selection and nuances when using

Most boilers can operate on:

• firewood;
• lignite;
• peat briquettes;
• coal;
• anthracite;
• pellets.

Each type of fuel has a different caloric content, so the efficiency of the device will be different. The best way to heat the boiler is usually indicated in the manufacturer's instructions. It is recommended to comply with these requirements, using the recommended type of fuel as the main one.

The choice of a specific type of fuel depends on the brand of boiler, its design, the features of the heating system in the house and the area where the heated building is located.

How to heat a boiler with coal?

Primary ignition is carried out using wood chips, which are placed on paper. When preparing the chamber, several logs are placed on the chips, the diameter of which does not exceed 15 cm.

Next, the paper is set on fire, the door is closed, and the blower is opened. This is necessary to ensure draft and normal combustion. The slide valve opens slightly while the ignition is taking place.

After about 20-25 minutes of active burning, the equipment becomes sufficiently warm. After that, you can add coal. After that, the blower closes, with the gate valve opening at the same time.

What is the best way to heat a boiler with coal? The raw material should be put in small portions. At first, the amount should not exceed 6 cm. The next batch can reach 20 cm. It is important to close the blower completely before each new batch of raw materials.

What kind of coal is better to heat the boiler with? Anthracite is considered the best due to its minimal ash content and high caloric content.

How to properly heat a solid fuel boiler with briquettes?

The burning time of this material is 2 times longer than that of firewood. The technique of its use is similar to that of coal.

First, the chamber is heated using wood chips or crushed briquettes. After they burn, the first layer is laid out - no more than 15 cm. After that - a maximum of 20 cm.

How to properly heat a boiler with peat briquettes?

Peat briquettes can be ignited using the top method. The briquettes are placed on the bottom of the chamber, and several layers of wood chips, paper, or dry small firewood are placed on top, which are set on fire. After about 60 minutes, the layer of briquettes placed on top is set on fire.

How to extend the boiler's operation from one load?

Experts advise to follow some tips:

1. Firewood consumption will be minimal if you use only dry wood. When it gets wet, its energy content decreases.
2. Briquettes are made from wood, peat, and straw. It is better to choose those produced by pressing.
3. Pellets can also be made from straw or woodworking waste. It is important to choose pellets of a light shade without impurities of bark, sand, etc.
4. The use of peat is accompanied by the release of hazardous particles into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is not recommended to do this in densely populated areas.
5. If the boiler does not have automation, it is recommended to place large logs at the edges of the firebox and small ones in the center. This is due to the fact that a lot of smoke can be emitted when this type of fuel is ignited.
6. For anthracite to burn completely, a massive fire is required. Therefore, it is recommended to sift out large coal particles that remain after the fuel burns out and reuse them.

Block of questions and answers on the topic

What kind of wood is better to heat the boiler with? Wood is conventionally divided into deciduous and coniferous. Deciduous trees include birch, alder, acacia, oak, poplar. Less commonly used are fruit trees, ash, maple. Acacia, oak and birch wood are considered the best. Conifers include spruce and pine. Such wood burns well, but very quickly. At the same time, the burning of pine needles produces a significant amount of smoke and resins that settle on the surface of the chimney and other parts of the unit.

Is it possible to heat a conventional TT boiler with pellets? - It is permissible to do this. In a boiler with a grate system, this reduces the size of the grate gap.

Is it possible to heat the boiler with coke? - No, you can't do that.

Can pellet boilers be heated with wood? - This may be done only after removing the pellet module and disconnecting the automatic pellet feeding system.

Is it possible to heat a solid fuel boiler without water? - Boilers equipped with a built-in heat exchanger cannot be heated without water.

Is it possible to heat a chipboard boiler? - Particleboard can quickly catch fire without the use of special means. But it is not advisable to use it, as its price is quite high and it is intended for other purposes.

Is it possible to heat the boiler with pine wood? - This is not worth doing for several reasons. First, it is not economical, since the heat transfer of this type of wood is minimal. At the same time, it releases resins that can pose a danger to the operation of mechanisms and lead to boiler failure.

Is it possible to heat the boiler with cones? - You can do this, but you need a lot of them for heating, as they burn quickly. At the same time, they also emit a lot of smoke and tar, so you will have to clean the chimney often.

Is it better to heat the boiler with wood or coal? - The main difference between these materials is their caloric content. Coal has a higher calorie content, so its consumption is more economical.