Burning Coal???

[SNOW JW]

Ok so we had a train wreck a wile back with a load of coal going to a power plant. The coal is super cheap as it has some small rocks and stuff mixed in with it but easy to pick out and not a big deal.

Anyways my Dad's transfer truck can haul a heck of a load of it and I want to help these guys out but I am afraid it is to fine and small to burn in a fireplace as the coal I have seen burned is in large lumps.

Anyone have any idea on this.

 

[milehighassassin]

You can burn it fine, although you will need to get the fire going with some wood first. Coal burns much longer than wood but it require lots of heat initially.

I did find this and it says not to burn coal unless temps are below 55 degrees..
http://hearth.com/econtent/index.php/articles/coaltips

 

[Gimpster]

It must be stoker coal

Just have to feed the fire a little at a time till it gets good and hot, or it will smother


----- gimpster -----

 

[Transporter]

It would be tricky to burn in a fireplace wouldnt it? Or would it be ok once you actually got it lit.I burn stoker coal in an outsideboiler and its a pain to light but once its burning and you kick in the fan then its ok.

 

[opus]

Coal is an excellent source of heat and still probably one of the cheapest forms. Probably only work well in something designed for coal. I'd burn it if I had the chance.

 

[Gimpster]

Yeah, you get enough hot cinders burning with wood then keep adding coal until it burns without smothering. Once the coal is good and hot, it should keep burning. Almsot need a shaker under it though to get rid of the ash and klinkers

----- Gimpster -----

 

[SNOW JW]

Sounds good thanks guys I will get some over to them and see how it does should help out with there heat bills.

 

[Cheney]

Just make sure you don't exceed your carbon credits.

 

[jsledder]

I wonder if it would work if mixed in with wood pellets in a pellet stove??

 

[SnowSnob]

In a fireplace I'd be a little worried about the soot it'd leave in the chimney.
I don't know if coal leaves much behind but I'd check into it, don't want your chimney to start on fire.

 

[Zuma]

Cheap Heat

I burn lump coal in a free standing coal stove similar in appearance to a free-standing wood burner. Coal Stoves have much thicker steel and are brick lined for the intense heat produced by coal. Also has a shaker grate to allow ash to fall to the ash box below. Cost me 50$/ton and I go through about 2 tons a winter, never have had to kick on our propane heat.

Coal burns very hot and clean, but has a little more ash than wood, sometimes I just burn wood because coal can be very hot a you'll have every door and window wide open to cool off, but that easy to do in the winter.

 

[dodgedlr]

I had a shop that the previous owner used a coal stove, and he left a big pile of coal in the corner when he left... I took a big chunk and threw it in my corn burner. It burned, and it burned HOT, but it stained the outside of my house where the exaust comes out. ooops.

I played around with it a little more, like it was already said, you need to get a good hot fire going with another type of fuel first - but the coal should burn well.