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[tbone]

I'm sure this has been discussed here before, but I am new here...so I am going to ask anyway.  I would like to try coal this season to supplement my wood supply.  I live in central PA and have access to both bitumunous and anthrasite.  I have been doing some research.....but still can not make up my mind.  I have never burned coal before....so I was wondering what you guys (that have been burning for awhile) perfer?

[Ridgekid]

Remind us what kind of OWB you have.

[tbone]

Heatmor with the shaker grates.

[Scott7m]

Try it, coal even of the same kind acts different from load to load.  I don't even ask what it is as there isn't much consistency in the types that I can tekk

[airflowdevelop]

Anthracite for sure...  And if you can get the "real hard" anthracite go for it.

No smoke...  more heat... and longer burn times.

[tbone]

Going to try both and different sizes to see what works best before purchase.  From what I've heard...the soft coal burns more like wood and can be mixed with wood (also just about half the price). However, the hard Burns much more efficiently and produces less smoke which is a big bonus for me (having neighbors close by). Can you mix hard coal with wood in an OWB? 

[tbone]

Try it, coal even of the same kind acts different from load to load.  I don't even ask what it is as there isn't much consistency in the types that I can tekk

I just read your coal experiment thread....which answered some of my questions, and was a good read by the way.  I look forward to experimenting myself.

[rhugg]

I used both in a Franco Belge and a Keystoker.  I think they sometimes call the soft 'red ash' ws the hard 'white ash'.  As I remember the red/soft clumped more and was harder to shake but it has been a while.  So my guess is that if you see a diffeence at all it will be at the shaker.  Maybe hard is a little harder to start but has more BTU's/Ton?

[muffin]

Not exactly along this line, I have a CB 6048, it has no grates.  I think there is an option to add them.  Can I mix some coal in with the wood to improve the burn/ cut down on some wood; or will the coal not burn without grates?  I have heard a lot of people throwing a shovel full in with the wood and they seem to think it helps.

Coal seems a good bit cheaper compared to wood (BTUs), but I was told it generates a ton more ash and then there is the smell/smoke.

[yoderheating]

 I've tried burning coal without grates and didn't have very good results. My experience with coal is that it produces less ash and smoke and more smell.

[tbone]

I've got a ton of Soft nut on my truck....going to give it a try.

[Bull]

What does a ton of coal go for now days?

[tbone]

I paid 130 for soft....Hard seems to be about an extra 100 per ton.

[tbone]

I am really likin the soft coal...got a 24hour burn with it over the weekend at about a 3quarter load with about 20 percent coal.  After 12 hours, I still had some wood in the firebox but mostly coal.  Just poked shook it down, poked some holes and turned it over a little and shut the door. 

[tbone]

Forgot to mention, as some other posts already have.....definitely is a difference in smell.  As far as smoke, it produces a darker smoke as expected....but less of it, especially after the first burn cycle.  Also that 24 hour burn was during pretty mild daylight temps but then again the fire box was only at about  70 to 75% capacitiy.  I am anxious to give it ago during cold 24hr temps...