My first attempt at a JABOD forge

[Frosty]

If all you have are birquettes break them into peanut size pieces and it'll work much better. There are two problems with briquettes for forging.

First they add powdered lime to the mix so it turns a nice white when it's burning, that's what all the white ash is. It can make some processes like welding a real PITA. They have to add a binder as well some use anthracite powder other's use water soluble glue, think Elmers. The binders don't really have much if any effect but it doesn't help anything.

Second They're very dense large and smooth. They're designed for easy air flow, your steaks and chops want lots of hot air, not a small 3,000f sweet spot. Anyway, using whole briquettes with a forced air source pushes too much air through to be consumed so your steel is exposed to really HOT oxygen, scales and burns.

By breaking it into small pieces you increase the surface area of each briquette, the surface is rough, smaller, pieces make the spaces between smaller and the air path more convoluted so air stays in contact longer consuming all the oxy. . More reactive fuel, slower flame speed no oxy left.

While it's definitely not the better of charcoal forge fuels it WILL work. If available buy lump charcoal and break it up into peanut size pieces for much the same reasons.

Frosty The Lucky.