MjolnirofRockport

Hi, just started blacksmithing up at my school, and my teacher is encouraging us to build forges at home, though nothing pricey, more along the lines of the 55 Forge Admin has up. I am also in need of coal, though I have no clue as to where to get some down here on the coast of TX, which makes me wonder, could I substitute it with Charcoal briquettes? I know it has a much lower BTU rating per cubic foot, so my Carbon Steel would take a while longer to heat, but, hey, better than nothing right?