E44. FIRE ON A BOAT. Narrowboat Multi Fuel Stove Lighting Techniques with a Morso Squirrel

[@fingers68]

A tip for you folks. The temp gauge goes on the flue about 12 inch above the stove, not on the stove

[@tomasharrod3096]

That is how I lit the fire after school each day, (7yrs old), just after the war. Watched this vid in Spain, temperature 30C. Now I need a RNP. Best wishes to you both.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@yonatanbenavraham6598]

Nice Vlog, I have been making stove fires for 40+ years with coal and oak firewood. In a home and a boat I use a piece of chain to knock all of the soot off the chimney by rotating it fast down the stove pipe into the stove, much better than a brush. Throw it into the dirt or tow path for a few minute to cool then into a burlap sack until needed again. I made a double wall stove surrounded by copper pipe on the first casing of half inch steel then an outside casing of 1/4 inch steel for the outside casing with the copper water pipe with a fan blowing over the copper tubing to the room inside the outside enclosure. It sends warm air into the room but also heats a large number of radiators inside the boat or home. Coal is a wonderful fuel. We appreciate all the time and effort you two put into the production of your Vlogs, please keep up the wonderful work you do to provide us with weekly entertainment. This is a marvelous and entertaining part of my week. Best of holidays to you and yours.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Wow, your stove sounds amazing, I've got a wire brush tied to a broom handle to clean the flue, but ive heard a lot of people using a chain. Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year👍

[@evelynsutton4411]

This is exactly how my mum used to light the coal fire at home when l was a kid (l'm nearly 77) and how l used to light our Rayburn (or was it a Parkray?) when l was first married. Brought back memories!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Skills that are lost on the younger generation

[@lesliedickinson198]

Its always so good to see a warm and cosy fire burning

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

It gets hot in here

[@Ropetangler]

G'day Mark and Debbie, I have watched quite a few of your vlogs and both my wife and I have really enjoyed them. You take us to places that we may possibly or more realistically most likely never see at all since we live in Australia, and I love the way you treat your subject and your viewers too. You also take us to places we have been to when we hired a narrowboat many years ago, renewing those very fond memories. We both like your no nonsense approach and the obvious enjoyment you share in each others company. These days we take off for the winter from Tasmania, Australia most southern state, for more northern and warmer parts of the country, mostly in the outback where it is quieter and we don't get in the way of busy people working to pay the mortgage, but we can spend a few dollars in small towns that really benefit from and appreciate the tourists spending money in their communities. Unfortunately it hasn't happened this year due to Covid19, but hopefully next year we will be able to move around again. Thank you for all your efforts and insights, keep up the great work. PS. We had a Rayburn slow combustion stove which also heated our hot water when I was a kid, we usually use coke to fuel it but also wood if coke was hard to obtain, and I now have a wood fire central heating system in our home, and with about 8 acres of bush, more than enough fuel to keep us warm, I just have to cut, split and cart it, that's three warm ups from the same wood before we even burn it. Cheers, Rob and Prue

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks guys❤️, glad you're enjoying our journey. Where a-bouts did you travel when you hired a narrowboat?

[@Ropetangler]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Hi again Mark and Debbie, we hired our narrowboat from Kate Boats at Warwick and familiarised ourselves with locks going up the Hatton staircase. Fortunately we were paired up with another Kate Boats vessel, with an experienced crew who came from Wales and flew the Welch flag from the stern of their boat. They were delightful and after we had reached the top of the Hatton flight, our boat handling and lock handling had come a long way for us complete novices. We parted company from our Welsh friends, and eventually arrived at Kingswood Junction/Lapworth and proceeded down toward Stratford on Avon, although we did not go all the way there, I think that we turned somewhere near Wilmcote, just not far past Mary Arden's cottage as I recall. My wife was a bit nervous handling the boat, but wasn't strong enough to handle the locks so we had some nervous moments with the locks, and as there was about 11 locks down into Stratford on Avon, all in pretty quick succession, and we would have to do it all again on the way back, we decided to avoid the last bit and planned to visit S.o.A by car when we had handed the boat back, which we did. We did have a memorable experience on our way back though. We had travelled down a long strait canal section after passing through Kingswood and heading back towards Warwick and needed to find a mooring for the night. We found a good spot just before a kink in the canal at the end of the long stretch and moored up. After we went for a short walk along the towpath and found the Welch Family who had taken us under their wing at the start of our trip, also moored up for the night. The next morning we went to say our goodbyes, and as we got near their boat another narrowboat put putted around the corner and shouted out asking what part of Wales we came from, (having seen the Welsh flag flying from our new friends boat). Being a bit of a S.A. I replied New South Wales would be close enough, and they shouted back that they had a daughter living in Australia. I replied that we really came from Tasmania, and they replied excitedly that their daughter was in Tasmania, and when we said that we lives on the North West Coast in a place called Somerset, they nearly fell out of the boat yelling out that was where she was, working as a Chiropodist. This whole conversation had taken 30 seconds as their boat slipped by and strangely my wife needed to see a Chiropodist when we returned to Australia, and eventually met the daughter. Talk about a small world. We only had the boat for a week, and wished we had booked for longer, so had to get back on time. We actually got back with time to spare, so went down past Leamington, had lunch and turned back to Warwick and handed back their boat. All in all we had a great time and thought that if we could travel with either family or friends to ease the lock handling, or just get my wife more steering time to increase her confidence, we would have a boat for a much longer time the next time we did it, but unfortunately time and also the lack of sufficient discretionary income may prevent us having a second helping of narrowboat adventure.

[@barneyrubble4536]

Great video, I have just moved onto a narrowboat and have the exact fire and wondered why the front keeps blackening up and now i know why. Thanks guys

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Glad it helped

[@melaniebones]

Thanks yet again for a lovely clear and informative vlog 😉👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

My pleasure 😊

[@CriticalRoleHighlights]

One additional tip for when you have extremely cold weather outside (like an arctic cold snap) is to light a small piece of paper and let it burn out before you put in the kindling and light the main fire. That way the hot air from the burning paper will "blow out" the blockage of cold air in the stove pipe. This blockage of cold air can act as a lid and you risk filling the boat with smoke instead of having it go out the stove pipe.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Brilliant tip, thanks👍 Merry Christmas

[@mike0566]

Don't bother doing that the smoke from paper stinks really bad if you have a down draft and it comes out in the room , just get a cheap hairdryer and point in in the direction of the flue to change the volume of air to start the draft without stinky paper smoke

[@mike0566]

Or a blow torch works even better , high heat zero smell then light your fire with it , win win . I'm also a chimney sweep from Pennsylvania USA

[@pilpelet100]

Thanks for this. Some things never change. I remember 60-plus years ago my mum using screwed up newspaper to get the fire going!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

that was my morning ritual as a child, happy memories ❤️

[@holmesmycroft5960]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 how do you dispose of the ashes?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

@@holmesmycroft5960 Coal ash goes into a bucket and when cool its bagged with the normal rubbish, wood ash can be scatter in hedge rows

[@holmesmycroft5960]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 please give the woman on Cruising Alba advice on how to deal with ashes. She took the pan straight from the stove and dumped it in the hedgerow. Good way of starting another fire.

[@suewilliamson5140]

Very informative video. It looks very cosy once the fire is going. Glad you pointed out the safety features. You just needed a nice glass of Mulled wine 🍷 Cheers & wishing you a very Happy Christmas from Sue & Daryl , Kelowna BC Canada

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks for watching you pair ❤️

[@bluehoo0]

This video brought back childhood memories, thanks for demonstrating it. I’ve just subscribed and along with Foxes Afloat and yourselves we are enjoying viewing narrow boat life. My wife has suggested a narrow boat Holliday when the covid situation is over. Thanks again and keep safe 👍👍👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I'm sure you'd enjoy a holiday on a narrowboat

[@johnbarry5115]

Thank you, that could well be a great help. We moved onto our narrowboat 2 days ago and I'm juggling with the Morso Squirrel, so a bit of advice is definitely needed.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Hope something in this vid helps you. Enjoy your time on your boat👍

[@Lloydy786]

Very simple video and well explained! Just doing my first night on my narrowboat and you helped me a lot :)!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Glad I could help!

[@michaelhiggins7365]

Very informative video. I love how you had the calming Christmas music going on in the background.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Glad you liked it!

[@allan010101]

I could say that is a hot vlog. I hope you have a Merry Christmas and that you and the dogs are warm.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Christmas

[@stevengerhart-rinaldo3366]

Love to stop in and see what you four are up to... It's a great way of living where it's possible. I sit in envy of the two of you, sorry, the two, three or four, ( didn't hear how many dogs you have I'll assume just the two little guys.. I've been an English "Bull" Mastiff fan since I found a suitable partner for my incredible boy, Norton, cross between Bull Tarrier and a Boxer. Incredible mix. I'm way off course here.. Thank you again for a peek into the life of a narrow houseboat. Take care and thank you again, Hello from Canada...

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

ocp toronto Gerhart, sounds like a lovely dog, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment

[@silashouse1054]

Merry Christmas to you from the best country in the world in my opinion; New Zealand, and the furthest away from the UK. but born in Nottingham. Kaiora mi tatou .. John .......... PS First time I have seen your blog..

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Christmas

[@annhay4572]

It hailed here today, and then snowed an hour later, it never does that in April here!! But your video made my evening warm and toasty. 🙂

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks ❤️

[@ronbearman3438]

Hi guys Liked the video looked nice and cosy poor dogs ha ha Have a nice Christmas and a happy New year

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks .Merry Xmas to you too

[@williambuxton8223]

Merry Christmas to you both,always enjoy the videos,keep them coming .

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@C...G...]

we hope you all (including the dogs) have a great christmas and a happy and safe new year! for some reason i can hear that prodigy tune with keith flint singing "i am the fire starter" lol :-) all the best for 2020 :-)

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I did think of adding that music, but copyright issues would ensue

[@C...G...]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 lol fair one! i'll just play it while your video is playing :-D

[@jasonbarron3047]

proper cosy you two are lovely people x safe travels sending you both love xxx p.s and a happy new year xxxxj

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks, happy new year

[@adamshaw1032]

Just found this channel. Very impressed so I’ve subbed 👍🏻 take care guys and keep up the good work

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks Adam, welcome aboard👍

[@Flowdrones]

We have the same stove on our wide beam! Been trying to optimize it during the cold months in the UK. Wish I found this video a couple of months ago. 😂 Great tips, great dogs and awesome video - our boat name is the 'easy life' see you on the water one day maybe 😊 🛥️

[@Boating_David]

Mines the same shell as yours but a Lockgate diesel conversion. Chuck in an eggcup of meths, light it, let it warm it up, turn on diesel. Job done 👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Our friends have the same as you

[@Boating_David]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Just misses the smell 😔 But can easy open the windows and get it drifting in from nearby boats lol

[@2ndBirth]

So cosey. I have had living on a narrowboat on my mind for years now. Might take the plunge and sell my house later this year. We'll see how things pan out. The wood stove is one of the most appealing parts :o) God bless.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Hope you dreams become a reality ❤️

[@robton007]

Still plodding along and watching....merry Christmas to you both

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas Rob👍

[@chrisralph939]

Great stuff Guy's. Would be good to see how you keep the chimney clean, and what do you use to clean it with. :)

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I have to cover that in a future video

[@td2691]

Terrific fire starter

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks

[@stuartclark6140]

Hope you had a fantastic Christmas. Happy new year. Looking forward to watching you in 2020. Cheers.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Happy new year

[@firkinflyer]

As a brand new boater and never having used a solid fuel stove before this was a great vlog, 😊 hope to see you on the cut sometime 👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks 👍 As long as this video has helped at least one person Im happy 😃

[@morrislouiseeagle7161]

Nice and toasty - happy Xmas and New year to you both and extra hugs for doggies 🎄❤️😁xxxx

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@chrisflower2218]

Hi Guys, Thank you so much for your great Vids. You really do make my day and you are a great lift in my life. I wish you all the very best for the new year and again thank you so much.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks Chris, its great to know that we make people smile👍

[@jasonirvin3415]

Hello loved your video. You now a viewer from White Settlement Texas. Merry Christmas

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Hi. Merry Xmas

[@sylviabutler4809]

we both really enjoyed watching how you keep yourselves warm aboard. Had no idea that you had central heating also. Guess that is run by electricity? How? Boy this video took me back to our first home in England where we used anthracite in our fireplace to run our central heating and hot water. Merry Christmas to you both. We look forward to more great videos and more giggles from Deb in the New Year.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

sylvia butler Its a diesel boiler, that heats our radiators and hot water tank but we very rarely use it. Merry Christmas 🎄 hope

[@fromnowon7311]

Merry Christmas from Ontario , Canada .

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

You'll be having a white xmas I assume

[@davideabry2612]

Have a lovely Christmas!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@robelliott8061]

Thanks for your videos,all the best for the new year .

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year👍

[@earlmarshall5054]

have a great Christmas and a fab 2020.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Same to you👍

[@andrewlancaster5414]

Lovely old job; merry Christmas to you both

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@APRAPR-nq2wn]

happy holidays from Buckeye Lake , Ohio !

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Christmas

[@vickihampton9387]

Merry Christmas to you both x

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Same to you Vicki

[@TheBoatingAdventure]

That reminded me I need a new lighter for my stove. Nice to see the royal we is alive and well. Thanks take care guys keep warm and have a great Christmas. I managed a trip down the Ouse at York this week, vid going out on Christmas Day after Madge. Bye for now.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I'll set a reminder to watch it👍

[@outwiththechances2421]

Thank you so much, great to see how the fire 🔥 can keep the glass clean and how it will still be going to the cold morning. Out of all the fire blogs I’ve seen, your was the best. Merry Christmas to you both. Warmest regards from Chris and Denise in Abu Dhabi

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@shaunbarton-collins1180]

Keep them coming guys, we love watching your videos. Hope you have a good Christmas

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks, Merry Christmas 🎄 to you too

[@ob1983]

Great vid, especially air flow wood v coals tip. cheers 🍺

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks

[@dreams..forlove1402]

I see now your Chanel guys.so this life style its awesome.i leave in my treiler near the sea.its amazing life if you like that .so i understand you so much.so i want have health and happy for 2020.my love there guys.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Peace and happiness back to you, Happy new year

[@barnsley1066]

How I love the early morning! I've generally been up close to 3 hours and driven 100 miles or so to work by 09:00. That fire looks so inviting. Stay safe and stay warn. Merry Christmas guys.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Dave Mordaunt that was my life also before I sold up and moved onboard

[@davidflkdavidflk3196]

Merry Christmas to you both and good travels in 2020

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thank you merry Christmas 🎄

[@stewartrobinson4601]

Happy Christmas and a great new year guys 🎄🎁

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

same to you Stewart

[@coolrunnings1505]

Another great vlog. I'll let the missus watch this as every time I show her, bless her it goes out. Not sure if this is because she's trying to get out of doing it or I am explaining it in Latin. All have a great New Year and here's to a adventurous 2020

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ha Ha, she probably doing it on purpose Happy new year

[@OurDaysOut]

Very interesting, Merry Christmas

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Christmas 🎄

[@beachut]

I hope we get the same stove on our boat, that was very helpful, we are now a little over 3 weeks to go before our experience there, happy new year

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Hope it all goes to plan👍

[@harleyjohnston9366]

Learnt a lot from that. On another subject some fellow vloggers have been casting aspersions on Debbie's character, something about Domestos!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ha Ha, that would be our good friends Mark & Julie 😂😂😂😂

[@MrVinnyh]

When I worked as a Fireman on preserved stream locomotives we used the old oily rags (rags were used for cleaning, oil & paraffin mixture) and timber to start the fire , at the end of the day if the loco was needed for the following day, we had to push the fire into a heap at the front of the firebox, ready to spread out in the morning.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Interesting Merry Christmas

[@lsimmons4767]

Sat on the terrace in full sun and 23c I won't be needing that 😂 Have a great Xmas with a lot of laughs and Gin of course. I hope you've planned a Xmas special vlog 😜 ..no pressure 😂

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas, haven't planned a xmas special, if I did it wouldn't air until easter 😂😂

[@traceyweedon2234]

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas xx Miss you 😘

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Miss you guys too

[@BrorAppelsin]

Very interesting! We only use wood charcoal here so I had no idea how any of that works.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks

[@mikegriffin4657]

Hi, Another good blog, but it's best to remember if it is a cast iron fire to light a small fire and warm the iron work up slowly as this will prolong it's useful life and avoid cracks to the frame. I try to follow this idea on the range in the back cabin, the idea of lighting a small amount of paper is a good one, I will try it and avoid the initial back smoke. Hot ash is another problem, I have a small rectangular box with close fitting lid for ash from the ash tray under the fire, saves it being blown about when you get out side. The main heating on the tug style is a Kabola OD4 oil stove, lazy, no lugging fuel about, just light it and leave it running - 3 to 4 weeks at a time, also supplies hot water and 2 rads............and no ash or dust. Happy Christmas (hope you had a good one) and all the best for 2020.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Good tip, we also have the rectangle box with lid for the ash. Had a good one 👍 All the best for the new year

[@lukehawkins7591]

Lovely....😁👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@angelarogers7482]

I love watching your vlogs, I have just bought a cruiser and cant wait to get it on the waters in March

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Angela Rogers happy cruising👍

[@angelarogers7482]

Look out for us my boat is called Noah'S'Cape

[@richardmiller6604]

Thank you for the info

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

You're welcome 👍

[@rayoakhill4237]

I notice that you also have removed the ash door restrictor. I did the same after failing to light the fire for the first time after it replaced the old Morso, which never had one. Without it you can control the draught so much better and I do exactly as you do. I think Morso put the restrictor there for elfin safety reasons to stop the fire running out of control if the ash door it left open by mistake. What solid fuel do you burn?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

I know fire for a smoke controlled area have to have a restrictor on the draught control to stop you closing the vent totally, I normally burn Excel

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi I've found that starting the fire is best to use plain coal then use the oval nuggetts for heat, also we use Fatwood Kindling six sticks to light it is all it takes, get that from Orvis 35pounds for a huge box deliverd .Merry Xmas.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

merry Christmas to you too

[@johnbarry5115]

Hi there, we are settling into our boat now, 2 weeks and we are still surviving! I noticed that you have some bricks in your morso that direct the ash from the sides, and also reduce the amount of fuel you need to fill the fire I'm interested in getting some of those for our Morso Squirrel, could you please let me know what they are called, and where you got them from? Thanks.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

John Barry If your stove is a Morso squirrel the you need these www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/products/squirrel-vermiculite-firebricks-set-only-hs-151 www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/products/squirrel-coal-inserts-hs-150 But also check out my other vid with the coal cage kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5-8o6WnpLqkaNE

[@rodnelson2651]

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas, and thank you for such an interesting and informative channel. I always look forward to the next installment 😁

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Rod Nelson thanks and a merry Christmas to you

[@richardfoote4518]

Good job

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thank you👍

[@ghostwolf4639]

How far does the warmth go? I wanna heat a boat with it 9 meters long 3 meters wide, u think i need 2 stoves? 1 for living 1 for sleeping area? Or is 1 enough?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Ours is a 60ft x 6ft10 inside area of about 50ft a we have just the one stove. Our bedroom is the furthest from the stove and the heat just reaches there to keep the chill off

[@lifeafloat5450]

Nice video :-) Actually quite helpful for me that one! I have a Morso Squirrel stove in my boat and mentioned in one of my videos about a week ago that I am still experimenting with figuring out how to make it last all night properly. Didn't think half a turn at the bottom would be enough but will give it a go! Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

a lot will depend on you boat, flue and chimney height, draught into the boat, fuel being used, Merry Christmas

[@mattelderca]

Have a happy time with each other you!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas

[@dennyatnotts]

I quite like my Squirrel but if my coal or wood isn't properly dry, I end up with crusty black stuff on the outside of the flue. I scrape it off but it doesn't half make a mess. Wow, you use a lot of paper to get started. I normally use half of a page out of the normal newspaper, stuffed in the bottom of a cardboard tube with some of my smallest kindling crammed on top, a sort of rocket starter if you like. If I'm 'going from cold', I always start with a wood fire as it gets hot fast. I can go from 10 to 20c in about 2 hours throughout the length of my 57' boat but it will be up to 20 up forward within an hour. Once the wood has no flames and the smoke associated with flames, I can start with the coals but I often will load a 2nd lot of wood as I tend to prefer smaller fires, just enough to get up to a nice blue flame dancing at the top of the firebox. I have a small fan that I run back aft to push cold air forward and establish some convection, otherwise my bed and toilet would never get to more than 15c. I'm not an expert and in fact, I've only been aboard for a few months and live in the marina but it seems to work for me.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

just using the method that my mum and nan always used, I think we all have different ways to start and maintain a fire. our boat is 60ft with the bedroom at the back, but we are quite open plan with walkthrough bathroom, so the bedroom, although cooler than the rest of the boat is just right for us. I have never measured the temperature at the back

[@seanadams6328]

Hi Guys, random question.. where do you get rid of the ashes on a boat? Thanks for letting us share your awesome life!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Sean Adams if its wood ash its scattered under hedgerow, coal ash goes into a bucket (steel not plastic 😂) and one cool its goes into a bin liner with all the other rubbish

[@seanadams6328]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 Thanks for the quick response!! Just discovered your vlog on the coal cage! Be well and keep safe! Looking forward to your next vlog!!

[@Artimus128]

Very informative , you’ve just popped up on my you tube Looking to get into narrow boats when we retire , so I’ve subscribed Keep up the good work Merry Xmas 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

thanks, 👍 Merry Christmas

[@chrisjohnson7605]

Have you tried the Letko fire lighters, they get my 1430 going every night without any fuss!

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

No we haven't, we usually use the paper method and once its alight from mid October it very rarely goes out until around April time

[@aussiej2973]

merry xmas from Australia

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas to you too

[@raydickos]

I don't have a boat but it looks lovely 👍

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Its is👍

[@borderreiver3288]

have you thought of changing the coaal fire to one run on diesel or even better gas...so mush easier and cleaner....what do you do with the ashes when you need to empty them...

[@pauldooley756]

Yes, anyone who stays on the inland waterways in winter knows how cold it can get !

[@trishbutterworth6251]

Does it run any radiators or heat your water ? As when your in bed how do you hear bathroom n bedroom ?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

The heat from the fire travels the whole way down the boat, with the bedroom being cooler than the living area, we have a diesel boiler that runs 3 radiators and also heat the hot water, but we vary rarely use it, we run the engine to heat the water

[@debbiecopening3407]

Amazing process! Interesting to see it. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎉 We used to heat primarily with a Wood stove in a previous house we had. It was tedious 🙄 preventing the fire going out before morning. Don’t know if coal as fuel would have been less tedious than wood was for us, but we didn’t have it as a fuel option

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Merry Xmas, we love the dark alchemy of trying to keep the fire going all night😂

[@lewisgardner1660]

Thanks guys This video reminds me of when we had a parkray fire running our central heating, it was only about 20 years ago, how things change. Would you ever think of putting a diesel stove on your boat? They look the same but without all the mess.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

We have friends with a diesel fired stove. but I like the flexibility of being able to got out foraging for fire wood

[@franwhelan6887]

Reminds me of being newly married, in our first council house in a village with no gas supply. Rayburn fired central heating, I used to light it when I came in from a shift, about 15.00hrs, toasty and warm by 16.00😀. The pump on our current system needs replacing, so at the moment, I'd gladly swop😁

[@Paul-ul7dz]

Looks nice and cosy but give the top down fire lighting method a go less smoke

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Thanks for the tip

[@jamestom2510]

What kind of coal do you use? Is it bbq fuel of some sort?

[@jiloute22]

Good evening to you two, I use the same way as you to light my stove, but I put in more a little charcoal before igniting it, I use German anthracite which heats very strongly and makes little ashes , I find that coal is expensive in UK, here I pay a 25kg bag £ 9.74. I wish you a merry Christmas and a very happy year2020

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Jean-Louis HUGE Merry Christmas to you too

[@dannichol3181]

I light my stove from the bottom. Load it up with paper etc. Then shut the door open the bottom air flow door and light it with a long match

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@robtheplod]

Great Technique! Your stove is very close to your stairs - do they get hot? Have a Great Christmas and New Year and look forward to your vlogs... rob

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

yes they do get warm. I intend to get some fire board to cut to the profile of the steps and screw it to the side

[@mikegover5515]

I have the same stove as you, and occasionally the fire just won't get up to temp. I build it the same way as you did, but every other time it just refuses to burn properly.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Strange how the same fires act differently on different boats

[@mikegover5515]

@@welldeckdiaries5610 What's really annoying is one night, it will burn great, and the next, not so much.

[@jengaryadventurers4603]

Do you find you have more ash if you use paper in fire? Do you get more soot in pipes when using paper? We stopped using paper for a month and found less of both. We have one like that in our small home. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

because we keep it alight all winter we only let it go out a couple of times to sweep the chimney we wouldn't notice the difference

[@shannonweatherill5290]

Is that natural stone tile for the hearth? Do you have to seal it once a year to keep it clean?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

No its a tiled hearth

[@dirtroaddiaries5733]

How expensive is coal. We don't use it here in the US at all so I'm very curious. Please and thank you

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

It £12 for a 25kg bag and we burn 2 bags a week in the winter

[@dirtroaddiaries5733]

Ty. We have mild winters in the South but I've never heard of using coal. We used our fireplace once this last year. Lol

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

@@dirtroaddiaries5733 it’s isn’t actually coal, it’s a processed product. Check out the link it will help to explain. thompsonskiphire.co.uk/news/what-makes-smokeless-fuel-smokeless/

[@dave1001]

I'm curious as to where yu put your hot ashes as smokeless fuel does produce many of them

[@rrich52806]

In the cannel of course.

[@dave1001]

@@rrich52806 and help kill fish

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

wood ash under the hedgerow, coal ash in the bin

[@MartyLJ57]

I'd love as small stove for our Modular Home.

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

is there a reason why you haven't got one?

[@MartyLJ57]

Well Deck Diaries Insurance. I'd have to pay double what I pay now. $1,200 + a year only if you use it for 3 to 4 months

[@joegoins9894]

Do the stairs get hot? 🔥

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

Joe Goins they do a bit, i want to get some fire board and cut it to the profile of the steps to protect them

[@leedavies3629]

Looks well warm merry xmas ✌️

[@dennischeslock7782]

Hay!!! Where's your bowler tender!!! LOL DENNIS FROM DELAWARE U.S.A

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

👍

[@karenlouisefletcher5719]

How many coals do you put on at a time?

[@Tuxedomakdarien]

How often do you have to load the stove during the day on average?

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

If I load it up high then morning 8.30am the 3pm then 9pm but we tend to only fully load it at night to give a long slow burn so normally 4 times during a day

[@fisheater844]

Last piece of paper looked like a fish

[@welldeckdiaries5610]

chris williams ha ha, i bet you see amazing things i white fluffy clouds