Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: justinb on October 13, 2015, 07:28:14 PM

Title: Burning Coal
Post by: justinb on October 13, 2015, 07:28:14 PM

Firing up in a few weeks for another long winter.  I may have access to a dump truck load of coal, but not sure if I want to deal with it.  Ive read previous posts on the topic.  Im considering using it only for the coldest times of the year.  For the guys that have burned coal.....is it worth it?  Would you do it again?  Im not sure what kind of coal it is.

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: cartod on October 14, 2015, 06:56:08 AM

I'm anxious to hear the responses.  I have also been thinking about supplementing with coal. Some stoves are not set up to burn coal, as it needs to be burnt from underneath.  One thing I did hear was that sometimes the small pieces of unburnt coal can bind in the shaker grate.

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: hoardac on October 14, 2015, 07:20:42 AM

I have an older stove and I just shovel in a bunch on the cold days and mix it with the wood it works great. You just cant put the ashes in the garden like usual. So I make 2 separate piles but it gives you a few more hours of heat so you do not have to go out as much.

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: AirForcePOL on October 14, 2015, 07:48:11 AM

I burnt some coal last year in my 5000e.  Around here, all we have is bituminous coal and the mine right down the road from me only sells it in small pieces which are no bigger than about 1.5 inches in diameter.  It smokes and smells terrible when first loaded but I think it helped on my burn times.  I would just load my wood like normal and then put the coal on top of the wood and it seemed to do ok.  If you can get a hold of some anthracite coal, I think your results would be much mroe desirable than mine were. 

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: fryedaddy on October 14, 2015, 11:24:19 AM

I burn coal during the coldest months.

I use it to increase my temp. quickly and mix with wood.

Doesn't take alot to go a long way!!!

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: stratton on October 17, 2015, 01:58:00 AM

Justin, If you have grates in your boiler,ABSOLUTELY.I mix 1/2 and 1/2 for overnight burns. Anthracite???

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: justinb on October 17, 2015, 07:03:50 AM

Yes, I have grates.  I ended up buying smaller bags of anthracite instead of bulk.  Im not anxious for that time of year, but am anxious to try it.  Its nut coal that comes in 40lb bags.  I have no idea how long of a burn a bag will achieve when mixed with wood.  Ill have to experiment.

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: stratton on October 19, 2015, 12:57:14 AM

Justin, Keep us posted when you start mixing in the coal.I would love to hear your results.Just a quick tip,Wood first coal second.....

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: artbaldoni on October 19, 2015, 07:47:11 AM

http://outdoorwoodfurnaceinfo.com/forum/index.php?topic=4882.0

Search is your friend... :thumbup:

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: mlappin on October 19, 2015, 10:44:52 AM

Out of curiosity, if you burn coal in your OWB why can’t the ashes be disposed of in the garden?

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: stratton on October 20, 2015, 02:18:44 AM

ML, I read some where that coal ash contains heavy metals.

Title: Re: Burning Coal
Post by: atvalaska on October 23, 2015, 02:26:56 PM

Burn it I use 25% coal to wood..it makes the big stuff burn , I don't spilt anything either full size .....boink ! ..in she goes !!