The flame went much yellower and started to smoke when trying to burn 100% unheated WVO, just before the burner spluttered out. It would have been due to not atomising properly and throwing oil onto the rear wall of the very hot firebox.
I had tried to start it on a mix of 70/30 WVO/diesel, but it wouldn't light until I turned the pump pressure up. I found it was easier to light on diesel (or kero) and then very quickly move the pickup pipe to the 70/30 mix, once it had been on for a couple of minutes. This way it didn't smoke or flame out. The pre heater on the fuel will really help. I used to run my 4x4 diesel Land Rover on WVO with a twin tank system (start on diesel, then change to WVO once warm), so I know what difference the heater coil makes.
I will probably put in a twin tank system for this, with a temperature sensor on the preheat coil, and use that to determine when to change-over to pure WVO.
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