Coalpail.com Forum

I am new to this website. My wife and I are purchasing a Baker Coal/Wood stove insert for our home. We live in York, Pa. We have numerous questions if anyone would be willing to help us learn more.
1. What is the best and proper way to start a coal fire?
2. What is the best coal to use? My wife has allergies and asthma so we need to be careful.
3. What is the recommended outside temperature before you start a coal fire?
4. What other accessories will we need for use with the stove?

I know these questions are premature since we are headed into the warm weather, but we want to be prepared for when cold weather returns later this year.

Any help anyone can give us will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

1. http://www.homewarmth.com/pdffiles/coalburningtips.pdf
2. Anthracite. The little one has asthma, no trouble with anthracite coal. Plenty when I burned wood.
3. About 50*F for most appliances.
4. You don't need much. Something to haul your coal in (scuttle), a thing for ash (metal w/lid), and a few tools. A small shovel, an L shaped pick for the grate, a small rake or hoe for banking the coal.

I hope this helps.