How Many Barrels for 2 Tons of Nut Coal?

newbiecoal · Post by **newbiecoal** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 2:54 pm

Does anyone have any idea how many 55 gallon barrels are needed to store 2 tons of nut coal. Unfortunately, I have absolutely zero carpentry skills to build a coal bin. Also, I'm not planning to stay in my current home for more than 3-5 years, so I really don't want to pay to have someone build me a bin. I was planning on purchasing some barrels to have 2 tons of nut delivered but I have no idea how many barrels I need. I thought about putting something in the basement, but with the hitzer in the living room, but I would have to carry coal upstairs, which isn't very appealing with the current condition of my knee. I can also have bagged coal delivered but it works out to 87 dollars more a ton, which eats into my savings. Thanks.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 3:15 pm

OK... if I did my math correctly I come up with 8.38 cubic feet per barrel (V=pi*r^2*h) assuming a 23" diameter by 35" tall 55 gallon barrel. Assuming 40 cubic feet per ton you will need approximately 10 barrels for two ton.

Please check my math as it was never my strong subject.

SheepDog68 · Post by **SheepDog68** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 4:24 pm

1 gallon is .13368 ft^3 so 55 gallons should be about 7.3524 ft^3.

So using the 40 ft^3 per ton x2 you seem to need 10.8808 barrels.

Of course I can't remember how much expansion room above and beyond 55 gallons is in a barrel, but you will need at least 10 and probably 11 barrels before it is all over!

SD

Post by **Richard S.** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 4:32 pm

10 should do it.

Look around, I know in this area there is lady that gets them from somewhere and you can purchase them cheap. They were used for fruit concentrate and smell like wine when you get them.

she's near Lake Winola if you are in the NEPA area.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 4:38 pm

Richard S. wrote:10 should do it.

IIRC, you can get 400# in a 55 gallon drum.

VigIIPeaBurner · Post by **VigIIPeaBurner** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 4:46 pm

coaledsweat wrote:
Richard S. wrote:10 should do it.
IIRC, you can get 400# in a 55 gallon drum.

Maybe 435 if you 'vibrate' them as you fill them up

That was my best when I use the drums at the yard to pick up bulk nut. Net was 484 Lbs but there were a few shovels of coal that missed the drums and landed in the bed.

Cap · Post by **Cap** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 6:47 pm

Hello newbi, I don't want to p.. on your parade but shoveling coal out of a round barrel will be quite difficult one you get below the top 18" or so. I've tried using Rubbermaid Brute'sfor my overstock. Kind of a hassle. Take care and welcome.

VigIIPeaBurner · Post by **VigIIPeaBurner** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 7:00 pm

I just laid them over on a couple of scrap pieces of 4x6 or fire wood under the lip close to the top chine. Then pop the top, fill up a few buckets and replace the lid. Also have a roughneck can like Cap's.

lowfog01 · Post by **lowfog01** » Fri. Oct. 29, 2010 9:16 pm

Richard S. wrote:10 should do it.

Look around, I know in this area there is lady that gets them from somewhere and you can purchase them cheap. They were used for fruit concentrate and smell like wine when you get them.

she's near Lake Winola if you are in the NEPA area.

I just got a couple of 55 gallon drums off CraigsList. They were inexpensive and like Richard said were originally used to import fruit concentration. They cleaned up real nice but I don't think that's a concern when you're using them for coal.

Lisa

RAYJAY · Post by **RAYJAY** » Sat. Oct. 30, 2010 1:03 am

look around for the 1 ton nylon bags they use for salt or calcium they work great and when done fold them up

http://onetonbags.com/one_ton_bags.htm

Jeff

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Sat. Oct. 30, 2010 4:39 pm

As stated, a 55 will hold around 400 lbs, with no need to do any math. The plastic juice barrels are fantastic, and forget a shovel, go to the Farm Store and choose what size grain scoop you would to use. About 10 dollars, and effortless....unless you are particularly 'Vertically Challenged', even then, you can make a step platform.

steamup · Post by **steamup** » Thu. Nov. 04, 2010 4:50 pm

The easiest way to unload a barrel I have found is with a 1 gallon plastic bucket with metal handle. I think wall paper paste came in the one I am using. Just scoop it out into a 5 gallon bucket. The smaller bucket allows you to scoop deep and easy in the confines of the barrel. By the time you get as far down as you can reach, the barrel is light enough to tip to the side. The last little bit left is dump into the top of the next barrel. I always leave a few inches of room from the top to avoid spillage.

japar · Post by **japar** » Sun. Nov. 07, 2010 8:01 pm

I have coal stored in 55 gal drums and have a drum hand truck that I can move the drums around with. Took 5 drums for a ton of pea

smokeyCityTeacher · Post by **smokeyCityTeacher** » Mon. Nov. 08, 2010 5:13 pm

SheepDog68 wrote:1 gallon is .13368 ft^3 so 55 gallons should be about 7.3524 ft^3.

So using the 40 ft^3 per ton x2 you seem to need 10.8808 barrels.
Of course I can't remember how much expansion room above and beyond 55 gallons is in a barrel, but you will need at least 10 and probably 11 barrels before it is all over!
SD

I wanna see the guy that can lift one of those.

newbiecoal · Post by **newbiecoal** » Wed. Nov. 17, 2010 12:10 pm

Thanks for the replies. My regular coal dealer has agreed to deliver me 1 ton of coal for an extra 5 dollars (215 total) for gas money. Much better than paying 288 a ton for bagged. I'm buying 6 barrels, which should be more than enough. I brought some bagged coal to start out but with temps being near 60, I haven't turned my stove on yet because it will get the house too hot. I have a heavy duty hand truck and some straps and I shouldn't have any problems moving each barrel 10 ft to where I will be storing them.