Blower stove instructions- parts, assembly, starting and running
This is my blower stove instructions for assembly, starting, running and idling.
Introduction
For all my blower Stoves of different shapes and sizes can be easily started by a simple but systematic starting procedure to get the stove burning quickly. Getting the starting fuels on hand and prepared is most important. See Fire Starters for Backpacking for more details. Once there is a bed of hot coals in the burner ring, restarting is easy even with wet sticks.
Understanding the parts
The blower can have many parts, depending on whether it has a one or two cooking positions and if it has a rigid fire bowl or a light roll up stove burner (As in the photo below).
Setup intructions
Remove stove from storage pot and unroll the wing wall (if the stove is a double pot stove). Then place the free leg of the burner bridge wire (1) into the empty burner tube to form a stable burner ring with the ‘v’ bend pointing outwards.
The stove burner (3) has a ground peg (2) on it. Press this peg into the ground to anchor the burner to the ground. Orientate the burner wall opening away from any prevailing wind. If the ground is too hard to insert the peg, lay it outwards and flat on the ground and put a solid rock on it and against the stove wall to provide resistance to any pushing forces while feeding in fuel sticks. More rocks can be used if required.
If the stove is a double pot stove it will have a wing wall (4) and second bridge wire (5). Hinge the wing wall away from the burner and swing the bridge wire around to a suitable position to provide adequate support for the second cooking pot or pan. Make sure that the bridge is substantially beyond the balance point of the pot bottom. Use the bridge ground peg (6) to anchor the bridge in this position. If the ground is too hard to insert the ground peg, lay the peg outwards and flat on the ground and put a solid rock on it and against the bridge wire leg to provide resistance to any pushing forces while feeding in fuel sticks through the bridge.
If the stove has a flame guide (7), slide this over the ‘V’ section of the bridge wire to put it as close as possible to the bottom of the first cooking pot.
Assemble the blower air tube/s (8) and connect to the fan manifold (9). If using a single pot stove add either the extension tube (10) or the air elbow (11) to keep the blower unit and batteries further away from the exhaust flame. This is needed because otherwise wind gusts (from an unfavourable direction) can blow the flame back onto the blower unit and damage it.
Place the power supply batteries (12) at a safe distance from the stove so that they do not overheat (the battery case should not be hotter than is comfortable for skin contact). Place the air tube into the round hole provided in the burner. Place ash or soil around the inside and outside perimeter of the burner ring (and wing wall) to form a gas seal.
Stove startup instructions
If available put some soil and or ash in the bottom of the burner to improve the seal with the ground. Then place some charcoal, if available, in the stove burner. Put a large fuel stick in the back of the burner (furthest away from the air tube hole) and place progressively smaller sticks in front, finishing with the tinder of finely broken twigs and leaves closest to the air tube inlet. Place a small amount of fire starter (wax-soaked paper or waxies) in with the tinder.
Close the fan shutter (13). Light the fire starter and as the flame builds plug the fan cable into the power supply and gradually open the shutter. As soon as possible place a pot of water onto the first cooking position to close the top of the burner to improve the spread of the fire. Feed in a few more long thin sticks to establish a strong hot burn and a bed of glowing coals.
Running instructions
Feed in more fuel sticks as required and carefully poke in shorter ones with another long stick (to protect your hands). After a substantial charcoal bed is established, the heat output can be reduced by reducing fuel supply. This will significantly reduce the heat output to the second pot, but the heat will be enough for simmering and keeping food hot.
The first pot position over the burner is the hottest cooking position and is ideal for rapid water boiling. The second pot position receives a more gentle heat that is suitable for simmering.
Under good conditions with dry sticks for fuel, the fan can be stopped and removed to save extend the battery life and the stove can maintain gentle cooking power with occasional use of the blower.
Idle instructions
To idle the stove the fan can be turned off, but the fan and air tubes should be removed from the burner as a strong wind gust can blow smoke and flame backwards through the blower system. In idle state the stove can ‘hold fire’ for many minutes and can be quickly returned to full power by reintroducing the blower, pushing in the burnt stick ends and adding a few little twigs and leaves. The use of a flaming paper waxie can shorten the smoky phase.
Tim
