[Stoves] Stratifying TLUDs for 'turn down'

[Ray Menke]

On Mon, Jan 16, 2017 at 1:17 AM, Rebecca A. Vermeer <ravermeer at telus.net> wrote:
> of the different fuels you load into the burn chamber;

Rebecca,
Here is a photo of the typical fuel layering I use for a short cooking
session in a TLUD stove.  On the left are some paper and cardboards
slices that are used to start the fire on top.  These are usually
sprinkled with some used cooking oil or alcohol to get them lit.  Next
is the red cedar softwood, and then Mesquite hardwood, followed by
some charcoal brands.  (Brands are not yet pure charcoal because there
may be a part that is only torrefied.)
Whether or not I add fuel during a session depends on how much more
heat I need, and what level of heat I might need.  For example, if I
just need to simmer the rice a bit longer, I will add charcoal brands
or mesquite, but if I need a stronger fire, the cedar burns fast and
gives a good kick.
There are about a dozen working stoves in my collection, and I select
the stove to provide enough firepower and duration to do the task.
Yesterday, I prepared a hunk of salmon, and when it was done, I threw
in a small steak.  Both were cooked to perfection (serially), and then
the fire was out, with only glowing charcoal remaining, which was
dumped into a screen sitting in a bucket of water.
The stoves have developed into a "light and forget" operation.  My
largest stove is mostly used when I need to cook four or five items at
the same time, such as potatoes, greens, hard-boiled eggs, and some
sort of meat.  I start with the longest cooking item, such as new
potatoes, and get them boiling.  (remove from stove.)  Then bring the
eggs to a boil for 1 minute.  (remove from stove.)  Put potatoes back
on stove, bring to boil.  (remove) Cook greens.  Cook meat.  Check the
potatoes, and bring to boil again. Then add large pot of water for
washing dishes and filling thermos bottles.  Then dump charcoal, and
go eat.
I especially enjoy your postings and looking at the items you are able
to cook to feed a large number of people.  (You probably well
understand my method of removing pots so something else can be
cooked.)
My very large cast iron Wok filled with greens needs a tremendous
amount of heat, especially on a cool windy day.  The Wok acts as a
large radiator!
I have attached the photo to this email, but if it doesn't get
through, here is an external link: http://i.imgur.com/qi6anu6.jpg


-- 
Ray  Menke
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: TLUD_fuel_layering.JPG
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 78268 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.bioenergylists.org/pipermail/stoves_lists.bioenergylists.org/attachments/20170118/288356ac/attachment.jpe>