Proximity of coal stove to pool table

O

Old-Duckman

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First year for both the table and coal stove in my house. Both table and stove are in and fixed...no moving now.

My question is, what are your thoughts on 6'-5" distance from the coal stove to the table ?

From reading I guess the average temp of the body of the coal stove would be in the 500 to 600 F degree range.

I'm not worried about fire as the table is waaay past the safe distance. Stove to wood wall clearance is only 20" (from the stove manufacturer). My concern is drying out the wood on the stove side vs. the other side of the table.

It is a 9' Brunswick Madison (all wood frame). and the short side of the table is nearest the stove. The other end of the table is by an outer, block wall and insulated "garage door"...So could be a fairly big temperature (and perhaps humidity) differential between both ends.

I was thinking of maybe having a fold-out insulated barrier that I would unfold and put close to the table when it is not being used. Nothing big, heavy or complicated just a hinged 2x2 frame with a reflective surface on the side toward the stove.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am going to post this on the coal stove forum I belong to as well....
 
A fan to circulate the air around would go a long way toward evening out the temperature around the table. I don't think there is any reason why you cant run a humidifier to keep the stove from drying out the table. Where are you located and how many hours a day the stove will be run would also be useful information.
 
fastone371 said:
A fan to circulate the air around would go a long way toward evening out the temperature around the table. I don't think there is any reason why you cant run a humidifier to keep the stove from drying out the table. Where are you located and how many hours a day the stove will be run would also be useful information.
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Thanks for your reply.

I am in western Pennsylvania. From what I understand with coal stoves in general, once you start them up for the winter, you pretty much don't let them stop burning unless you let the fire go out by accident.

Got lots of replies on the coal forum and they basically agree with what you said, air movement and a humidifier or at least a teapot or similar on the top of the stove to get some moisture in the air.

Several also think the fold-up reflector is a good idea.
 
I agree that a reflector could not hurt. Maybe even set an inexpensive thermometer on the table nearest the stove and another at the farthest point in the room from the stove to make sure you don't have a lot more heat on the table nearest the stove.
 
I think in the long term it will destroy the table Depending on much time the dry heat has on it during the year and how humid it gets in the summer months. But anytime you expose wood to extreme dry heat for extended periods you're inviting disaster. although there is no guarantee I think the wood is probably old and dry as is and shouldnt split but I would take some precautions. I didnt even have a heat vent put over my table area for this reason. I havent had any pool table fail but I did have some antique golf clubs in a closet that had furnace air blowing in it and two of the heads just simply split open, destroying them.
 
With our long, cold winters our basement stays rather cool. Sometimes I will put a small heater under the table a of couple hours before I play to warm it up a little.
 
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