Can I burn anthracite?

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Mstank357
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Posts: 6
Joined: Thu. Oct. 17, 2019 9:35 am
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Us radiator capitol red top a8
Coal Size/Type: Kittaning soft coal

Post by Mstank357 » Sun. Dec. 13, 2020 6:33 am

I have a capitol red top boiler. I have been burning wood and bit coal for two years. I am curious if I can burn anthracite coal in this boiler. Thanks in advance

 
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McGiever
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Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar

Post by McGiever » Sun. Dec. 13, 2020 9:23 am

Certainly, many others have...


 
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dbsuz05
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Posts: 191
Joined: Thu. Nov. 28, 2013 8:09 am
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson
Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Burnham 23"

Post by dbsuz05 » Sun. Dec. 13, 2020 11:42 am

Yes you can burn hard coal in a old school boiler. I have a round style burnham boiler. If you need more heat it’ll do the trick. But I found it doesn’t last as long as soft coal in it. Too many air gaps in the old boilers to keep the fire low. Your gonna want to keep at least 6” ash layer to keep from grates warping. I started with chestnut size. But went to pea size because it doesn’t let so much air through. My dad burns pea hard coal in a luxaire furnace. Works great for him.
It just costs more to burn anthracite. So really you could buy half Pittsburgh style lump coal. And half somerset size pea coal in the bituminous kind, and just use the lump when it’s really cold. I really like soft coal for its ability to start burning quicker than hard coal after 8-9 hours.

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