I posted a similar topic on the Anvil site with a pic of my first anvil.   I am new to blacksmithing and started to buy a few starter items last month (old leg press, used coal forge, used welding table and some new hammers, gloves and tongs).  I don't know much about coal forges but this one was listed on Facebook marketplace just an hour away.  I paid $800 for it.  The guy threw in some some tongs and two large bags of coke coal.   I will be building my shop this summer and wondering if this would be suited outside under an overhang or building a hood/chimney for it inside the shop.  Here is a picture of my forge.  It is very heavy/solid and the blower really works good.  

Mine is a little smaller than yours, and I have mine under a hurricane-resistant lean-to that is open on three sides.  I don't have a chimney.  I just put a fan in the right spot to keep the smoke out of my face.  It works fine.

Does your hurricane-resistant lean-to  have roof overhead?  I can's image how hot it would get in the summer if it inside a shop in Florida.  I grew up in Tampa and not sure if I could forge during the summer time there.  Even in N. Alabama it gets pretty hot and humid here during the summer months.  I'll probably use a small propane forge inside the shop during the summer months.  

Coal is cooler than propane by far. I usually use propane in the winter to help keep warm and use charcoal/coal the rest of the seasons.

11 minutes ago, Shainarue said:

Coal is cooler than propane by far. I usually use propane in the winter to help keep warm and use charcoal/coal the rest of the seasons.

 

11 minutes ago, Shainarue said:

Coal is cooler than propane by far. I usually use propane in the winter to help keep warm and use charcoal/coal the rest of the seasons.

I would have never guessed.  I thought Coal forges burned hotter than propane forges.  

Gas forges and coal forges are different beasts. The fire ball in a coal forges can be much hotter than a gas forge, but as the smoke rises it pulls more volume of ambient air with it up into the hood. Gas forges kind of work like a space heater, but you do need to get the exhaust out of you’re building. The exhaust contains a lot of moisture and typically a significant amount of CO and CO2. If forging inside (especially with a gas forge), I highly recommend a CO detector, your life could depend on it!

With a coal/coke forge, inside or even outside under a roof, I would build a side draft hood to pull the smoke away from you (and up/out if inside). Make sure you have a good source of fresh air, if you set it up in side a building. Without a lot of makeup air, it won’t draw well. I even setup my blower to pull air from outside the shop to minimize the amount of makeup air needed.
 

Also, for a good draft, I would go with a minimum of 12” diameter duct (stainless if it’s in your price range, coal smoke can get pretty corrosive). I used 10” diameter on mine and it drafts OK, but I’ve seen side draft hood that perform much better than mine…

Keep it fun,

David

Thank you for explaining that in detail.  I will definitely take your advice when forging indoor and outdoors.  My plan is to put my coal forge outside of my future shop under an covering.  I have already considered some type of hood/chimney with duct work.  I make sure it is 12" in diameter.  As for the inside, my plan is to have a gas forge with CO2 detectors throughout the shop.  

Since you have not built the shop yet plan for an exhaust fan. That will help greatly with pulling in fresh air and expelling bad. Or what i have heard some folks call circulation. 

When Goods said that coal smoke is corrosive that is an understatement. Becuase of the position of my forge i have 2 elbows (that creates a whole other dilemma also)i have to replace them about every 2 years. 

 

Thank you - that is good to know.   

On 1/19/2026 at 5:06 PM, JackG said:

As for the inside, my plan is to have a gas forge with CO2 detectors throughout the shop.  

Good  Mourning,

Just a slight error, CO is the 'Silent Killer'. Working with a Propane Forge, Inside, You CAN NOT work with the Doors closed to outside Air.  If you wish to work Inside with the Doors closed, save up for an Induction Forge. I have had mine for almost 14 years and I still fire up the Gas Forge for certain jobs. 

Now that we no longer have Frosty's comments, we Can not forget what he stood for. BE SAFE!!!

Neil

I will dogpile that comment. I’ve had co poisoning by a gas forge inside. Nearly passed out. Do not mess with. Feels like a three day hangover- if you survive.

If your shop is like mine was, missing 8" off the bottom of the door, 2 windows also not in the door, and a 2'x3' hole in the wall where a window used to be you can close the doors. But then what good are the doors anyway at that point? 

But anywho, i just wanted to clarify that i was not suggesting an exhaust fan only. You have to have a way for the fresh air to come in also, like an open door. 

I have never experienced it but i have heard stories of people working in their shop, getting light headed and passing out just as they step outside form CO. Yeah, it aint no joke. 

My story is. Testament to human stupidity. I had an 8x10 concrete shed I was trying out - lit a two burner propane forge with just a man-door open. It only took 3 or 4 minutes before I felt not right.  Immediately went outside and laid on the grass for a while. If I hadn’t left when I did I firmly believe another minute would have killed me.