coal or charcoal....

[Sabre]

well latley i have wonderd...... whatrs better? i mean everyone has there own oppinion but what i really want to know it whitch burns hotter?

Does coal burn slower and last longer than charcoal?

because i will have to sped $129 for 3 50 pound bags of coal because they have a limit of $100 at the place... the cost per bag is $41.99....

as for charcoal i buy it in 18 pound bags for $14....
so i can get 198 pounds of charcoal for the same price as 150 pounds of coal!

this ones all up to you folks so you decide....

[JohnW]

No, coal burns quite a bit hotter than charcoal. Maybe somebody can give us some numbers here, but coal burns like white hot and charcoal is like yellow hot.

The size of the fire is also usually different with coal and charcoal. Of course you can make the fire any size you want, but I believe it's easier to use coal to heat a small part of your piece so that you can work like 4" with back up heat on either side. When using charcoal, it's easy to heat a long length, like a whole bowie knife (or half) or something.

[Lefty]

I like coal because there is no ash getting blown out of the fire pot like you would get with charcoal. And it's a lot cheaper here also.

Lefty

[easilyconfused]

There are a few things to consider such as the quality of each product. You can burn metal in a charcoal fire just fine, using soft or hard wood but hardwood being the hotter with a smaller amount of charcoal. Since you use more charcoal so for the prices and amounts you quoted, you may be better going with the coal depending on it's quality. You also need to consider the area you're in too. Charcoal is more acceptable it seems since people will think you're just having a bonfire, that is if your area allows backyard fire pits. It also depends on what you want. Charcoal is more historically correct for most periods but coal is hotter and faster for production work imo. Ultimately, the choice is up to you but I would go with good coal if I was paying for charcoal. Luckily, i get it for free and i keep the farmyard clean at the same time.

[S.Willis]

I am with others. Go with coal. You can get a lot more finished products out of 50# of coal than you can 50# of charcoal.

[Finnr]

Coal.
Finnr

[Frosty]

Practice and be proficient with them all. They all have their pluses and minuses to consider so you might as well find out first hand. Soon enough you'll find your favorite, however you'll be able to use anything which is by far and a way better for you.

Frosty

[civilwarblacksmith]

Coal is the better way to go if you are in a situation to use it such a rural area. I live in a townhouse developement so I have to use either charcoal, coke, or gas.

You will burn more charcoal to do the same project that you would with coal, meaning that to do the same job is costing you more.

The amount that you are paying for coal seems alot to me. Something you might think about is join a local blacksmith guild if you have one in your area. The guild I'm with buys a bulk load (this year was 26 ton) and we sell it to our members at $7 a 50lb bag.

Here is some guilds in your area. I don't know how close you are to them.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

KOOTENAY BLACKSMITH'S ASSOCIATION
Pres: Chris Waters
Chinook Country Forge
Site 113, Box 12, RR 3
Sundre, AB
CANADA T0M 1X0
(403) 638-3529
ironshop@telus.net

Ed: Jesse Ellingson
Box 775
Nelson, BC
CANADA V1L 5R4
crazycat@netidea.com




VANCOUVER ISLAND BLACKSMITH'S ASSOCIATION
VIBA Office:
VIBA
1040 Marwood Avenue
Victoria, BC
CANADA V9C-3C4

Pres: Charlie Dowdeswell
#53-2911 Sooke Lake Rd.
Victoria, BC
CANADA V8B 4R5
(250) 478-2460
Dowdeswell@alumni.ucalgary.ca

Ed: Dennis Gillett
1212 Garden Gate Drive
Brentwood Bay, BC
CANADA V8M 2H6
(250) 544-4816
dgillett@shaw.ca

Vancouver Island Blacksmith's Association (VIBA)

[NeatGuy]

You can also buy coal from "Roberts bank" at about $120/ton (that price may not be current) the only problem is you have to buy a minimum of 10 tons. Contact Gerrard at the Kwantlen college farrier school he may be able to help you.

[son_of_bluegrass]

Coal and charcoal have nearly the same BTU value per pound (my pocket reference lists 24.74 million BTU/ton for coal and 25 million BTU/ton for charcoal). However charcoal is much less dense so you will be feeding the fire more often and use a greater volume of charcoal. They both have an upper limit of around 4000 degrees F which is much hotter than anything you would normally need. Coal puts out more smoke when is cokes off (charcoal is already "coked"). Charcoal needs much less air to get hot and really works better with side blast and good insulation.

I use coal for 3 reasons. 1 I can make it myself so cost is time invested, 2 my current set up won't adequetly vent the coal smoke without a fan and 3 goo coal can be a real bear to find 'round these parts.

ron