How to Keep Warm on a Narrowboat in Winter & Start a Fire in a Multi-Fuel Stove

How to light a fire in a multi-fuel stove and keep it going overnight. In this episode, I will talk about how to start a coal fire, how to keep the fire going, what fuel we use in the multi-fuel stove and what is the most economical way of keeping the fire going.
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[@muskokagirl5711]

Canadian Made Sponsor WHOOT HOO!!! The magic of a wood burning stove is heaven but the dark side to a boat fire is a very scary event...we had an engine fire on one of the sailboats I was travelling on, believe me it was scary...we were shaken but ok as well as the boat thank goodness. Being a February Pieces, water is a main staple for me and 'purple' is my fav colour - Go Alba Go!!!! Hee hee... For many years I have sailed various sized vessels on our water system here in Northern/Southern Ontario (Canada) and have had the pleasure of sailing in different Countries. I truthfully have "always" wanted to rent a Narrowboat for a month on England's Canal system. Your videos are soooo informative to us Landers, playlists are bang on and add joy to your videos. Both your smiles light up the canal and add to Alba's beauty. You handle the difficulties with grace, learning by them but remaining positive as well... (Fairly certain there was a few 4 letter words that were edited haha).... I wish we had English Narrowboats here in Ontario that we could run on our canal systems and waterways (Rideau Canal, St. Lawrence, Trent Severn etc). I would own one for sure. A small house on the water with exciting travel, meeting interesting people who do not hesitate to help "The Newbies" and the beauty and magic of our Universe's gifts is a win win for a fish and her family like me. Covid, as many have experienced; put a dead stop to my visit abroad and my wish of canal travel this past spring/summer, so now I will have to put this bucket list item on hold until further notice. ***If you can recommend a good Rental Boat Yard with your experience and travel I would forever be grateful *** P.s.......How could we not become a Patron and buy you guys a cuppa Joe. Fins Up Guys!!! (a sailing term for until next time)...

[@CruisingAlba]

Hey lovely, oh my goodness so many synchronicities here! So so pleased to hear you are enjoying our videos! That fire sounds scary, so glad you are ok. Unfortunately we don't know much about rental yards, but we can give you an advice. Narrow down (pun untended 😂) the area you are planning to travel - we can't recommend the Thames enough! Plus you can explore Oxford, Kennet and Avon canals from the Thames, but that's just us. Then its easier to look on the map for boatyard in the area. Sorry can't help any further as we never rented one. Thank you millions for you kindness and support, it means the world to us! Big hugs to you across the pond 💜 xxx

[@orchidhouse297]

You appear to be lacking a companion set, poker, shovel, tongues,and a brush on a stand. I remember when I was nine or ten, my grandma taught me how to look after the fire in the black leaded kitchen range, lighting, using the flues and damper, raking ashes and.damping down overnight so it could be revived in the morning. That became my responsibility for many years. What you said in this episode was remarkable close to what I was taught. Such an interesting episode full of childhood memories.

[@gemmasmallman9976]

Hey. We just moved onto a narrowboat and this video has really helped us as we are now going into winter, just lit my first fire, seems to be going ok. Watch this space. Just ordered an ECOfan too. Great video. Thank you. 🙏🏼

[@sharonrimsza7960]

As a child we heated our home with a Franklin Stove. A much larger stove but like yours...wood burning. We used to make Newspaper logs. We used one log of Oak and two newspaper logs. Newspaper logs are made by rolling newspaper into the proper length and size around to fit the stove we were using. Do not roll it tight. We used two pieces of wire one closer to each end to hold it together. Have on open roll in the paper lengthwise. Remove the wires after the log is burned and reuse. Your fire depends on the amount of updraft with your damper open. Small kindling. Do not use glossy paper or colored paper like the comic strip. Not healthy. Enjoy all your videos. We all learn with you. Thank you.

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much for sharing Sharon! We've never heard about paper logs, will look them up! Marina x

[@BOTG_Adventures]

Make some feather sticks with your kindling... Easy start.

[@JCDiamond]

I appreciate that you explained what goes right and what goes wrong with keeping a fire going.

[@mickmclaren3270]

Hi guys you explain that very well, but being a country boy this time of year I have two fires going in my cottage ,a Rayburn stove in the kitchen which is a fire one side oven next to it hot plate on top,with a back boiler, for central heating, my late wife always use this instead of electric cooker, plus in the front room , a log fire ,just one thing to add make sure your logs are kiln dry ,,love your blogs, keep well& warm 💐💐

[@Mark-ct5dh]

Have you thought about getting a second ECO fan? That way you could direct the air both ways at the same time.

[@EcofanbyCaframo]

We love the way YOU think!

[@EcofanbyCaframo]

We really loved how you shared just how much your new authentic Ecofan makes a difference on your narrowboat. Thanks for bringing us along on your adventures! Stay cozy!

[@oye175]

This video came at the right time as this is what I need to know for this weekend! Thanks guys

[@CruisingAlba]

Our pleasure! 🥰

[@NeverTwoLateOurJourney]

Great advice I will be trying it out next year x

[@Mistydazzle]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@itsTarbs]

I love this episode! Thank you so much. Super useful

[@EDOOB]

Congratulations on the sponsorship! And thanks for the very informative video :)

[@DJWaterbaby]

Great advice... Thanks 👍

[@ralphwood9865]

Great info Marina, We have a wood stove at the cottage but only burn wood and can find all the fuel we need on our property from natural blow downs branches etc. We have a covered woodpile all stacked neatly. During the fall and Spring we burn about 1.5 cords (128cuft 4 feet wide, 4 feet tall, and 8 feet long. Every stove seems a bit different Ours when starting we use similar technique to you but no coal We use soft wood logs to start ,mostly spruce fir or pine then switch over to hard wood, Birch Maple and Oak We also on starting have to open a window just a crack that creates a huge draft so starting is no problem ever .For kindling we use Birch as it chops so easily, we keep a supply of this in a box ,we also save any birchbark as that is a great starter. In the spring we clean the chimney using a small spruce tree on a weighted line which we pull down the flue from the bottom. Ours chimney is an insulated double wall stainless steel type. Soft and wet wood will cause more creosote deposit hard wood's much less .Oak is best for keeping fire going over night as it burns slower.

[@williamsmith2919]

Very good information. Thank you. Good health and happiness to you both. Xxxx

[@CruisingAlba]

Thank you so much William! Glad you found it useful 💜 xx

[@BrettSirrell]

Another accessory you should have is a Carbon monoxide detector

[@CruisingAlba]

We’ve got three!

[@ericflowers8662]

Thank you guys for sharing. Love watching your videos 🤗. You guys give me Joy. Love from the States ❤️!

[@CruisingAlba]

Thanks for watching Eric 💜 Sending love to you across the ocean xx

[@brianrayment5019]

Very good narration,,,👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@solstar4778]

Keep the ash in control, shovel frequently! Put a pot on top of stove for comfort and thermal stability and a occasional hot drink ! Sue slow burning fuel ( maybe peat ) have a bottle of scotch near by !when you stop get out and pickup sticks and branches ( cut to size) free fall wood on the ground!

[@Leonard_Smith]

Nice explanation of your method of staying warm. PS The 'scissor-like' things are called tongs.

[@CruisingAlba]

Cool, thanks 😀

[@johnwood1804]

wickes building supplies do 16 coffee logs fo £7 or two for £12 hope this info helps for finding the best value

[@JMS98989]

Great video 😊 btw Morrison’s also sell coffee logs ☕️ 🪵

[@DH-pq2ud]

Well I felt cosy and warm just watching this. Took me right back to my childhood when we had a coal fire. The living room was always warm but the rest of the house was freezing. Can you sprinkle the ash on the ground or do you have to take it too the bins?

[@chrischristofis8501]

Love your accent! 😍

[@simon-nb-Betsyray]

Thank u for a interesting vlog🙂 May l first say how lovely ur hair looks this week straight away l thought u looked different this week . Do u find that the air gets a bit dry from the stove ? l place a tin coffee pot with water in it on top of my wood stove to reduce this from happening, l have 2 of those eco fans on the stove top facing in different directions and it blows the warmth around my room and up the stairs. Are u planning to Moor up in one place for Xmas and New year? Hope u and Mlyes have a safe coming week. Simon xx💜

[@chrisdoyle8344]

Haven't seen those coffee logs before. What are they made of? Do they burn as long as a wood log or coal?

[@EcofanbyCaframo]

Coffee grounds! Burn hotter and longer than wood. Neat right??

[@CruisingAlba]

If you would like to support the episodes join our crew on Patreon www.patreon.com/cruisingalba to get early access to the videos, bonus content, monthly phone and desktop backgrounds and the chance to meet in person and come on board! 💜 xx

[@SuperNickbb]

Hi Marina, just to let you know, there was a piece on radio 4 today saying coffee and olive logs are going to be banned.

[@CruisingAlba]

Oh really, I wonder why. We don't use coffee logs very often, we mostly use heat logs nowadays. They are made from recycled materials too.

[@paulbeech7276]

New to your channel....Great job guys..👍. I notice you don't put a kettle on your stove any reason why not? I put 2 pence coins on top of stove which the kettle sit on...😁

[@lynnescaddan8919]

Apparently if you go walking in woods & collect acorns there meant to be good to burn.

[@expatexpat6531]

I saw this article in the Guardian today you may be interested in: www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/wood-burners-triple-harmful-indoor-air-pollution-study-finds. It highlights the long-term risks of wood-burning fires. Was new to me, but makes sense, although in the days before central heating everyone was exposed to this risk if they were burning wood / coal...

[@alanpilling3471]

Masking tape rolled up into a six inch thin log make fantastic fire lighters

[@johnallen148]

Hi Marina Myles,Marina this was a very interesting video about your fire ,I bet it is so cosy and romantic,I got to say I do miss a nice Cole fire 🔥,your voice is so pleasant to listen to so clear with just a little bit of your accent,thank you Maria for then information,till next time take care keep safe,John 😍🎄🥂❤️❤️🎅🏻🔥

[@virgil7100]

What accent is that John?

[@johnallen148]

@@virgil7100 I know you came from Russia not saying it’s a Russia but you just have such a beautiful voice with a little tang with it it’s also very clear Marina ,you are such a beautiful lady all round x

[@virgil7100]

@@johnallen148 Thanks John .. and there was me thinking she was Scottish :)

[@johnallen148]

@@virgil7100 now you got me worried Scottish or Russia mmmm ??

[@virgil7100]

@@johnallen148 You were right first time John, she is from Russia (with love)

[@ramseybarber8312]

Hi Buy yourself a POKER.

[@borderreiver3288]

GET A OIL OR GAS BURNER FIRE..FAR CLEANER AND EASIER TO LIGHT...