I have a Central Boiler CL 6048, which is EP2, and has a large baffle towards the back that sort of traps smoke. Smoke is gradually forced below it and then out stack. From another thread here related to "coaling" issues, it occurred to me to change some things. Now I make a stack of 22-24inch splits about 2/3rds of the way back in the stove, and then another stack in front of that right by door. Put no wood in the back of stove. That arrangement gave me 10 full hours of burn time on a 16 degree night, and did so two nights in a row. And much less coaling overall. Now the stove runs 170-180 degree cycle range, and was at 160 when I got to it this morning, but 160 is a very acceptable after 10 hours and plenty of good hot coals to repeat the process. Don't know if I'm on to something or not, but any tricks of the trade out there I am all ears. Good testing week for me with every night below 20 this week.
My old man has the same Unit . I rake coals to door and to the sides.Roll the biggest round I can fit in the door all the way to back.literally a 150-200lb round.Another large round in front of that and load the sides with small stuff. We store 15 cord or more inside from tree service drop offs. Lots of chips bark and scrap wood from my mill gets shoveled up and fills in the cracks.
Sweet, nice place to have a little boom to move the big ones over. I currently split my stuff down so i can at least pick it up. But like that setup a lot.
Ive found if you keep the big stuff either center/back they will burn down and throw heat though last 1/2 of cycle. When they get down to basketball size I'll pull them to the front sides to burn down with the smaller wood just added. The side loadings of small stuff keeps a hot fire at the boiler walls to keep water temp up. Had a 50/36 before this one and there is no comparison . That bridge crane is sweet. Never have to split anything and zero chiro bills. Occasionally a noodle down is required but not very often.
