Wet bagged coal. Can I still burn it?

 
ReneeC
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Post by ReneeC » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 7:52 pm

I have a Hitzer 55 furnace. I just opened 3 bags of anthracite coal and it’s all wet. Is it safe to burn wet coal? I hear it’s okay, but I also hear it creates a lot of steam. Thoughts? This is only week 2 of burning coal for me so still trying to figure out the little stuff. Thanks.


 
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Uglysquirrel
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Post by Uglysquirrel » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:04 pm

There are others better versed in your query regarding handfeds though my experience with automatic feed stoves (stokers) is that while it will work, rust/corrosion long term is your hopper and stoker feed mechanism enemy.

Recommendation: Coal can be dried (especially nut) pretty fast within a day or a bit longer if it is poured into a plastic bin inside the house, you can use a two (min) bin system where the now dry coal is used from one bin while the adjacent wet bin is drying for another day. You do not need to do this if you buy the coal in April/May and have the entire summer for it to dry out (note the tiny punched holes in a Blaschak bag for water vapor departure. Hope this helps your long term coal adventure,

Ug

 
ReneeC
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Post by ReneeC » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:07 pm

Thanks. Unfortunately it’s my last 3 bags and I don’t think I’ll make it a day till it dries out. All my other bags were dry. Except the last 3. Go figure.

 
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Post by SawDustJack » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:11 pm

Welcome ReneeC. I have been able to burn wet coal without much issue other than some slight steam as you have heard. I usually open bags about two weeks before the coal will hit the stove. I just put it in a 5 gallon buckets and let them sit and it does help dry the coal a lot.

 
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Post by Rob R. » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:17 pm

Burn it and sleep easy. It will make a little steam when you shovel it in, but it will burn fine. Going forward if you empty the bags into a container a few days in advance the coal should dry out.

 
ReneeC
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Post by ReneeC » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:22 pm

Thanks everyone. Off to burn some wet coal.

 
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Paisan
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Post by Paisan » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:24 pm

your last three bags? Go for it.


 
jschaefer7406
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Post by jschaefer7406 » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:48 pm

If you gave a good hot fire going, the water will boil off before you even know it. Go for it! 👍🏻

Stay warm,

Joe

 
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Post by franco b » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 8:54 pm

Don't make a regular practice of burning wet coal.
At the very least you pay for evaporating that water for no good effect.
If you have a metal chimney it will corrode it badly.

 
ReneeC
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Post by ReneeC » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:04 pm

Don’t plan on doing this frequently. Honestly I’m probably going back to propane after the last of my coal. The Hitzer 55 is enormous and I have a 2700sf home. It takes 4 bags to fill it and I’m burning through 2-3 a day to keep it full after shaking it and it burning down. At that rate it’s the same I’m paying for propane. Maybe $50 less a month and warmer. I’ll be a bit colder with propane but less work. This is a lot for me to do alone, and I work long hours. I’m not sure I can keep it up. If I knew how to burn it slower maybe. But the sheer size alone makes it difficult to use less.

 
jschaefer7406
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Post by jschaefer7406 » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:23 pm

Yeah, depending on how tight the house is, it may take a lot of coal to heat 2700sf.

We have a hand fired warm air furnace, and average a ton or so per month (maybe a bit more during the coldest months like this). But our house in only ~1500sf too (but 1896, so not sure how well (if at all) it’s been insulated).

Lot of variables to how much coil you burn too, though. Chimney draft (and how stable it is), how well the air is circulated, etc. will come into play. Bulk coal is also cheaper (and dryer), if you have a bin to store a good amount.

Hate to see you give up on coal so soon, it really is great once you get the kinks worked out.

Joe

 
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Post by ReneeC » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:26 pm

Yeah. I’ve enjoyed a 70-72 degree house. We keep it around 63-64 with propane. The heat is much dryer and even with coa too. Definitely enjoy it more. But weighing it all out, I’d be averaging 2 tons a month. Wish I could justify it.

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:30 pm

You can't justify it, sounds like a lot of it is going up the chimney. We'll need all the gruesome details and then we'll justify it for you!

 
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windyhill4.2
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:32 pm

ReneeC wrote:
Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:26 pm
Yeah. I’ve enjoyed a 70-72 degree house. We keep it around 63-64 with propane. The heat is much dryer and even with coa too. Definitely enjoy it more. But weighing it all out, I’d be averaging 2 tons a month. Wish I could justify it.
63-64* !!!!!!!!!!! :what: :o
That ain't heating !!

I feel very blessed...

I am sitting here enjoying 75* in my house heated with coal.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Sat. Jan. 06, 2018 9:37 pm

The night I lit the coal boiler, the thermostat mysteriously moved from 67° to 74°. :yes: :lol:


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