Curtis87 Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 So this is the left over coke and coal from my first attempt at smithing with coal and I was just wondering if I should try and strain out the dust? Or will it still be useful? My coal comes with quite a bit of dust out of the bag and if it's better to use just solid pieces I'll filter out the fines. All opinions are appreciated, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Well my coal comes as fines and I store it in a plastic bucket of water and take a shovelful, let it drain in the bucket and then apply it around the outside of my fire to coke up into chunks and then use it as normal chunks of coke. Of course I usually don't have freezing problems with my bucket... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I dump it all in and burn it. The fines clump together as it cokes up. Occasionally some fines get dumped when I clean out the ash in the bottom of the fire pot, but most get burned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curtis87 Posted November 21, 2015 Author Share Posted November 21, 2015 Yup, that makes a lot of sense, thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kozzy Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 This youtube video about maintaining an efficient coal forge fire is pretty good and addresses some of your questions. He sees benefit in fines as well as ash in terms of keeping the fire efficient. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeC9bNxQ2Zs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 I keep my coal in 20 gal. plastic trash cans (makes for easier handling) stored outside. As I dig coal out of the cans, I usually give it a good shake each time. When I get down near the bottom of the can, the fines and dust collect at the bottom. I then sieve that through a strainer I made from fine window screen, put the coal dust in a closed can (so I don't spill it all over the place) and use it for punch lube. If I accumulate an excess, I wet it and pack it around the fire to start coking it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.