Re: Parkray enclosed fire - help!

[Anonymous]

hi
i was browsing on the internet looking for some tips on parkrays and your message came up. i couldn't see any responses and just wondered if you'd managed to sort it.
we've just moved into a property with one and somedays i think we've got it sorted and then the next day it will just not burn.
any tips appreciated
jules

 

[Anonymous]

I've had a parkray for years and there is a bit of a knack-i start mine with firelighters and a few bits of starter wood to get a good blaze which warms the flue a bit.I add the fuel immediately-Phurnacite-but not too much,or it dies .Keep the sliding lever to the right which makes it draw and keep the dial on 10 till it gets going.Then turn down the dial to restrict the airflow.They get damned hot if you overdose on fuel and die if it gets too low .I think its called a learning curve.

 

[Anonymous]

the numbers 1-to 10 is the amount of air being let in at a time the higher the number the more air being drawn into the fire and subsequently the hoter the rads will be. Always light the fire with the aid of fire lighters and some dry kindeling wood, then add small amounts of coal at a time until fully alight then add more coal and turn down setting to around 3-4 depends on type of caol and draw on fire. Use good quality caol,and you must asways sweep the chimney every year.

 

[Anonymous]

Had a 'glass-fronted fire' (not quite parkray) at home (N Ireland) - they are in my opinion on of the nicest ways to heat a house and are very popular there. One of my best tips is to use slack (coal dust?) if you can use it in England, to keep the fire lit through the night. Otherwise build the fire up through the day and turn down the knob low and you'll have a nice toastie house to keep you warm in the winter mornings. Also, if the fire is emptied from below and has a tray you can remove while the fire is lit - if the fire is about to go out, you can increase the draw on it by removing the tray for a wee while.
There may be a lever near the top of the unit which you can move across to change the draw of the fire from heating the radiators to solely heating the back boiler or hot water tank if it's set up in that way. If the fire is roaring when you push the lever across, you'll see the effect as the flames will be drawn backwards instead of up.
Make sure you clean the fire out at least once a week as soot will build up - you need to use a stiff brush to brush the soot away from inside the fire, not forgetting the plate at the top of the fire which the lever is attached to.
Hope this helps and enjoy the fire - I'm jealous!

 

[Anonymous]

I moved house back in July and also encountered problems lighting the fire. I have found to fill the bottom with screwed up newspaper or xmas wrapping paper (seasonal option!) lots of kindling wood and then some cheaper charcoal-like coal (I'm not sure what it is called as it came with the house but I expect a good coal merchant would advise) this is easier to light than the more expensive processed coal, some larger pieces of hardwood would also do. And then gradually add more of the good coal. The best trick lighting it, if you haven't discovered it already, is to screw up a sheet of newspaper in the ashtray and and light it from below. With the ash-tray cover left off and the front glass door shut, once it catches it roars!!!!!