Nut Coal in Iron Fireman

JMetz · Post by **JMetz** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2022 10:48 pm

I am having a terrible time finding true size residential stoker coal this year. Smallest I can find is nut coal. Anyone ever use nut coal in a residential stoker? Mine is a rebuilt iron firemen.

europachris · Post by **europachris** » Wed. Dec. 21, 2022 9:15 am

I assume you're burning bituminous coal? If so, it will burn the "nut" coal without too much issue. The last time I ran my Iron Fireman that was the coal size I ended up with. It's called "stoker" coal, but it's sized for industrial stokers, not residential. It tends to crush oversized pieces as it feeds as the coal since the coal isn't all too hard, unlike anthracite. I think the proper sized coal would burn better, however. I had some issues with "coke trees", but it might have just been the coal itself. Nevertheless, it worked quite well.

I can't imagine there is much demand for residential stoker bituminous anymore, which really is a shame. In a properly set up stoker furnace or boiler it burns almost as smoke-free as anthracite.

JMetz · Post by **JMetz** » Wed. Dec. 21, 2022 11:19 am

Thank you for your input. I do burn bituminous and I was going with that line of thought process as well. Unfortunately, you are correct in that the bituminous coal stokers are fading out. I think only Wilburt makes an updated version these days. Very, very difficult to find a decent stoker from the old days and I would imagine this is why resident stoker coal is fading quickly. Thanks again for your help.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Wed. Dec. 21, 2022 1:27 pm

J, if you're only lookin to save money--my buddy Jack (he's a member here) ----contact him---"Den034071" gets big pieces & breaks them up to the size he wants--he does anthracite but I'm bettin the same would work with BIT--ya got a heat throwin stove there. Just an old farmer thinkin out loud---:)

lzaharis · Post by **lzaharis** » Sat. Dec. 24, 2022 1:12 pm

They still burn a lot of Sub Bituminous stoker coal in Wyoming,
Montana and lignite the Dakotas in residential stokers.

The Maertens Manufacturing folks in Center, North Dakota make
coal stoker boilers and furnaces with rotating ash rings that burn
North Dakota Lignite and Sub Bituminous Coal from Montana
and Wyoming.

The MAertens folks also rebuild stokers and provide repair parts for many stokers.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Dec. 25, 2022 8:44 pm

lzaharis wrote: ↑
Sat. Dec. 24, 2022 1:12 pm
They still burn a lot of Sub Bituminous stoker coal in Wyoming,
Montana and lignite the Dakotas in residential stokers.

The Maertens Manufacturing folks in Center, North Dakota make
coal stoker boilers and furnaces with rotating ash rings that burn
North Dakota Lignite and Sub Bituminous Coal from Montana
and Wyoming.

The MAertens folks also rebuild stokers and provide repair parts for many stokers.

I’d say not for the residential market. And who’s delivering lignite to PA NY?

RELIABLE, AFFORDABLE, EFFICIENT, COAL FIRED HEATING SYSTEMS
HomeREPLACMENT PARTSFORCED AIR FURNACESHOT WATER FURNACESSTOKERSCUSTOM METAL FABRICATIONPICTURES
WE HAVE 4 SIZES OF BURNERS WITH ROTATING RINGS

13" 200,000 Btu. max

"KING COAL" REPLACEMENT 225,000 btu. max

17" 350,000 Btu. max

20" 700,00 btu. max

lzaharis · Post by **lzaharis** » Sun. Dec. 25, 2022 10:57 pm

About lignite for home heating the Center Coal folks in Center North Dakota will
ship lignite coal to Pennsylvania.

www.centercoal.com

fig · Post by **fig** » Mon. Dec. 26, 2022 11:26 am

lzaharis wrote: ↑
Sun. Dec. 25, 2022 10:57 pm
About lignite for home heating the Center Coal folks in Center North Dakota will
ship lignite coal to Pennsylvania.

www.centercoal.com

Very good price there. That’s about 1/3 of what I pay for bitumenous here. I wonder how they deliver it out of state.

lzaharis · Post by **lzaharis** » Mon. Dec. 26, 2022 12:22 pm

Hello Fig,

They use rail, tri-axle or semi trailer in bulk deliveries.

fig · Post by **fig** » Mon. Dec. 26, 2022 4:07 pm

I called them and they won’t deliver to Illinois so I doubt they will go to PA.

Willis · Post by **Willis** » Sat. Jan. 14, 2023 10:26 am

Jmetz. Where are you located.

warminmn · Post by **warminmn** » Sat. Jan. 14, 2023 10:41 am

lzaharis wrote: ↑
Sat. Dec. 24, 2022 1:12 pm
They still burn a lot of Sub Bituminous stoker coal in Wyoming,
Montana and lignite the Dakotas in residential stokers.

The Maertens Manufacturing folks in Center, North Dakota make
coal stoker boilers and furnaces with rotating ash rings that burn
North Dakota Lignite and Sub Bituminous Coal from Montana
and Wyoming.

The MAertens folks also rebuild stokers and provide repair parts for many stokers.

I bought lignite from someone with that boiler and he loved it. He semi hauls the coal himself.