sanddraggin Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Living and working in Northern Nevada has given me some interesting opportunities. One of which is the occasional work at a coal fired power plant. After getting to know the guys there they gave me some coal to try after I explained the difficulties in obtaining coal in this area. I was told it is sub-bituminous coal from Wyoming and Utah. I was thoroughly displeased with it. It builds HUGE clinkers in a very short time. It cokes up but won't stick together and form a cave of any sort. Very hard to maintain a fire worth having which sucks the fun out of forging. I decided to try and mix it last week with corn from the local fed store. Now forging is fun again. I found if I put a layer of corn on top of the coal it caves up nice and it isn't nearly as hard to maintain. I still have an issue with HUGE clinkers but it's alot better than not forging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I've read of them using peat to forge with in some places; sounded worse than briquettes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 I have found corn burns almost exactly like coal, except for 2 things, it is less dense, and it is reported to have 1/2 the energy content by weight...together mean feeding the fire very frequently. (and it smells like popcorn instead of coal, no green smoke!) Good stuff. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 I wonder if corn could be charred like charcoal to drive off the excess moisture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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