Just when I think I’m getting the hang of it; I realise I’m not!
Overnight banking a definite success – this time in the morning there was still a hint of warmth in the radiators and there was one log left in the firebox still alight. It didn’t take long at all to get it fully going – though took a bit longer to warm the radiators as I forgot to put the pump switch back on.
Anyway, today I struggled getting the house warm. Yes, it was a lot colder outside, but the radiators still hadn’t reached a good hot temperature where you can’t keep your hands on them for more than a couple of seconds without burning them. I just couldn’t work out why. I kept the fire going at a reasonable rate – not too quickly, but always flames flaming when I checked. It was a windy day, so I don’t know if that had anything to do with it, though I tried closing the flue chamber damper, but it didn’t seem to make any difference. Same with the spin wheel. Maybe changing the flue dilution lever would help? I’ve been through and through the instructions and all they tell me is that it needs to be to the left during the day and to the right when banking down overnight. Still not entirely sure what it does. I assume it’s yet another control to do with air flow to/from the chimney, but how it actually affects cooking and heating I’ve no idea. Hopefully once I find out, I’ll also discover how to get the radiators hot!
My first cooking accident today! I put in leftover cherry pie to warm up for lunch. I put it in the main oven as it was only on ‘simmer’ and the warming oven was hardly even warm. Then I forgot all about it and ate an early Easter egg instead! Two hours later I remembered! It wasn’t exactly burnt, but the pastry looked very crunchy! I was too full to eat anyway, so I don’t yet know whether it’ll be edible after warming it up a second time.
Not only did we never get the radiators fully hot; the water wasn’t hot enough for a bath either. Annoying.
