Coalpail.com Forum

Hello!

New to wood. Burning/coal burning and have some questions. The house we moved into had this stove installed in the garage to heat the house (1150 sq ft)

I also happen to have access to some free coal.. no idea what type it is. I have attached pictures. Would I be able to burn this in this stove stand alone? Or be able to burn some with the wood?

It doesn't appear to have the requisite moving grates for shaking coal to remove ashes. The manufacturers plate says "wood" fuel.

They never made a coal burning model to my knowledge. As mentioned, the grates make coal a non starter and the firebox V design would only make it worse. Let us know what kind of coal is available to you and I'm sure the members would recommend a proper appliance.

To burn coal, an air inlet would have to be devised under the grate, and a slot or slots fashioned to slide a flat poker over the grates to clear ash.

Well...Good to know. Is it/would it, be safe to burn some coal with the wood? Hotter temp cleaner burn? I have access to this pile of coal, clean it up can have it. Just no idea if it's anthracite or bit.

That looks like bit coal. The only way to be sure is to try and burn some. Take a propane torch and heat up a piece. If it smells like a tire burning it's bit coal. You would wanna screen out the bigger pieces. I don't think you'll be able to use the fines. The fines will smother the fire and lead to an explosion (nasty puff back). Bit coal is tricky in a batch fed stove. If you try it in your stove only add small quantities at a time. Anything the size of a golf ball or bigger would be worth working with.

Also, I use the riddling technique (that Franco mentioned) for clearing ash on my furnace, I can help you with that if your interested.