Fuel survey... Please participate.

[elkdoc]

Since we're rehashing and reorganizing some information in some threads that are pretty well-aimed at beginners, I thought I'd post this poll. Please participate and offer any thoughts on the subject of forge fuel. These types of threads are most helpful to me, and I'm sure, others.

[oakwoodforge]

I voted for charcoal, but I do need to explain: I love the way coal/coke holds the heat , I love how long it lasts ( you dont need to keep shoveling fuel into the fire ) What I don't love is the clinkers and the yellow/green toxic smoke, not to mention it takes only a few million years to produce coal and we will eventualy run out, It is also harmful to the environment to burn or mine, strip mines suck for the planet, Shaft mines suck for the miners. I like charcoal because it burns clean, the ashes act as a flux when forge welding. I can produce it in my own backyard with minimal labor. I can buy a full pickup load of post industrial scrap kiln dried maple, pre-cut into small chunks for about $10 (which I think goes to the forklift operators beer fund) I fill (2) 55 gallon drums with the wood , start a fire underneath them, let it burn for about 1.75 - 2 hours and then cap the drums with a heavy metal plate to smother the flames. The next day I have lots and lots of great charcoal for almost nothing. I am saving money and landfill space at the same time. I will always like the way coal/coke burns in my forge, but I think that charcoal is better for my pocket book, my health , and my environment. Not to mention that since I have been using charcoal the quality of my forge welds has improved 100% No more clinkers or black spots in my welds !!!!!! 8)

[bruce wilcock]

over the years i have use the lot including peat ,but for the type of work we do involving bigish fires and a lot of welding up iron coke has it for me throw it on blow some air through it and your away ,clinkers are no trouble so long as you leave them alone keep the air blowing through and dont keep digging holes in the fire trying to clear the fire of clinkers for each weld ,just look at some old photos of a chainmakers yard and the piles of chain at each anvil , the fire was not cleared at each weld ,to clear the clinkers three times a day was usual on small chain

[Don A]

I'll second what oakwoodforge said.

But the survey said "prefer". Lately I have been too lazy to build up a good charcoal supply at my home shop, so bituminous coal is what I use on a day-to-day basis.

[HWooldridge]

I prefer coal for all the wrong reasons - I like the smell and it takes some work to use - BUT - I use propane almost exclusively because I do a lot of production work. I can start it and forget it plus propane is real easy to get at the gas dealer two miles away.

[elkdoc]

I'm suprised that charcoal and bituminous coal are running pretty much neck-and-neck at this point. I figured charcoal and coke would be about the same.

I'm a coal guy, so far. I am very intrigued by charcoal as a fuel source, though. I work in some areas where coal mining has pretty much left the environment in sorry shape. I don't care much for the smoke, either.

I do like the way coal clumps together as it cokes and can be left alone without going out while I do other tasks in the shop.

I may have to get a bag of coke and give it a shot...

[Don A]

Any of you coke users ever have trouble with the coke pieces exploding in the fire?

I bought 50 lb of the metalurgic grade coke and used it, usually mixed with a little coal. Maybe it had drawn moisture or something, but occasionally a piece in the heart of the fire would go off like a small firecracker.

That'll get your attention when you're looking right at the fire.

[HWooldridge]

Don,

That's exactly what it is - moisture. I had some coke that would go off repeatedly and throw pieces everywhere. I push the fresh coke in from the side and it usually heats up enough to drive off the water without tossing shrapnel.

[Daryl]

Don, Wooldridge is right about the water. You will find it is common from guys who sell the coke by the pound and have soaked it in water to make it gain weight. While it may not be entirely scrupulous, it must be a consideration when purchasing coke or coal by the pound. Those that tell you it is common for coke to be wetted down either don't know what they are talking about, or are suffering from an acute case of cranial-rectal inversion.

[gerald]

I use soft coal as my primary heat source. Two reasons: (1) It get HOT and (2) it's what I learned to use when I first started smithing.

I have a one burner propane forge that I use fairly regularly, particularly when I need a quick fire for a small job. It's a neat, useful tool, but no match for the coal fire when I want to get serious work done.