Coal Forge

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

I have a dumb question...

Have never lived up North. I have never witnessed coal burning. On my hike to the Old Ford Trussle I picked up a bucket of coal from the tracks thinking I might try it in my forge. Should I just add it to my normal wood fire or will it burn readily?

[crashdive123]

Growing up, several neighbors burned coal in their fire places. Here's how I remember it ---- start a fire like you would. Use hard wood if possible. When you get a good bed of coals, start adding the black coal, smaller pieces at first.

Lighting a coal forge is a little different, but if you are just doing one load, probably about the same as I described above. Here is one way to light a coal forge - http://www.celticknot.com/the-elektr...oal-forge.html

Here's a pretty good vid on the process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkdi5eOO5F0

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Growing up, several neighbors burned coal in their fire places. Here's how I remember it ---- start a fire like you would. Use hard wood if possible. When you get a good bed of coals, start adding the black coal, smaller pieces at first.

Lighting a coal forge is a little different, but if you are just doing one load, probably about the same as I described above. Here is one way to light a coal forge - http://www.celticknot.com/the-elektr...oal-forge.html

Here's a pretty good vid on the process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkdi5eOO5F0

Thanks alot Crash! I didn't think to do a search duh! Great links you posted and they helped alot. I think I will hang onto this bucket for a project that needs more heat like actually hammering something out.............

[Rick]

Coal burns much hotter than wood. It has a lot more BTUs per pound. The cleaner the coal (the less sulfur) the hotter it will burn. Also, be aware that coal may be sprayed to keep the dust down. When I was a kid they used oil but I'm not certain what they use today. Coal dust is explosive (it actually burns. Think of gun powder and you'll have the right idea) in the right mixture.

You'll also have coal ash to contend with. That's not a fine accumulation like wood ash but a clump of "stone" that will retain heat for quite a long time. We heated with coal when I was a kid and my job was to haul the clinkers out and keep the hopper on the stoker filled. You can make some pretty quick hauls to the alley to dump clickers when your knuckles are burning from the heat in the clinker buckets.