Coal in Wood stove???

[ciscoguy01]

Soooo, I've got a Garrison air tight woodstove. I've got like 4 barrels of coal that was left over from my grandfather. Is it possible to burn this coal in the woodstove right along with my wood? The stove reads that it is for solid fuel, I'd guess that makes coal usable, but I'm not sure. I've heard if your not careful with coal it can cause gases which are fatal. Anyone else know anything else about this? Can I mix it in there or not??? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks all

http://www.arboristsite.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=39494&d=1162046410

 

[jefeVTtreeman]

i am no expert so please dont listen to my opinion but if it burns at a proper temp i would think it would be fine. I know people who burn anything and everything these days. arent all fumes inside a stove deadly? anything with nasty chemicals is a no no for me like scrap pressure treated wood or painted wood.

 

[ktm rider]

It would all depend on the design of the stove. If you do not have grates you can forget about it. Wood usually burns best when the draft is over the fire. Coal really only burns when the draft comes from under the fire or under the grates actually and the air comes up through the fire.
I don't see where gases would be an issue. unless your stove has draft problems to begin with.. You can throw a little on the RED HOT fire with plenty of red coals and see what happens. But, if you don't have any grates at all don't expect very good results..

From the looks of your attachment I don't see any type of draft control at all.. Where does this stove get its draft from??

Try these sites for more info:

www.hearth.com
www.woodheat.org

 

[ciscoguy01]

top sides

they are on the top R and L sides. they are adjustable... But no, no grates. It's all firebricked. Maybe I'll throw a grate in there though, That might be a good thing...

 

[sedanman]

Coal produces more ash than wood does. A bed of ash will smother a coal fire. A few pieces of soft coal in a woodstove won't hurt but there is little benefit.

 

[Big Woody]

Buck fireplace inserts had a coal kit which included a firebrick type of liner for the bottom and sides and then a grate on legs with a slider in it to shake the coals and let the ashes drop out.

Sounds like a grate would be required in your case. Probably need the firebrick on the sides as well as the base

 

[ciscoguy01]

Brick

Buck fireplace inserts had a coal kit which included a firebrick type of liner for the bottom and sides and then a grate on legs with a slider in it to shake the coals and let the ashes drop out.

Sounds like a grate would be required in your case. Probably need the firebrick on the sides as well as the base

It's firebricked on the sides and the bottom. I just have to make a small grate I reckon. I'll give it a try. Not really sure there's much benefit, but since it's here and just going to rot, I guess I'm just as well to use it than let it sit...

 

[ktm rider]

Yes, you would need a grate. As sedanman said, the ash will smother a coal fire. That is why the grates are needed. You really need to get the draft to come up through the coal fire for it to really burn well. Maybe put the grate you are thinking of making in the stove and then drill a draft hole in the bottom door with a regulating knob on it..

Have you considered selling the coal? If it is anthracite coal, it could go for as much as $250 a ton depending on your location. just a thought.

 

[Patrick62]

with care, maybe

A grate would be necessary. I am not sure about the amount of ash as coal is mostly carbon. The amount of HEAT is the biggest issue. Coal burns at a very high temperature. Most stoves are not rated for that.

-Pat

 

[ciscoguy01]

eh

Yea, I've got about 1000lbs of it. All in barrels, maybe more. I think I'll just dump it or get rid of it somehow. I dunno yet. I'll have to check with DEC. Seems like it'd be more of a pain in the ass to get rid of, hauling it and all from my basement outdoors or burning it if I could get some heat value. I don't have a cadillac converter(yes, i know it's catalytic), so that's no worry, but I'd hate to burn up my Garrison for something stupid. Thanks for all the input guys. Great info...

 

[ktm rider]

You could put an ad in the local free classified for free coal. I'm sure someone will come and haul it out of your basement. Especially if it is free...

 

[laynes69]

Soft or bitoumous coal would be fine when burned in small amounts with wood. If you burn alot you need the shaker grates to shake down ash. Unline soft coal, anthracite coal can burn through grates if given too much air and can be dangerous. I would make sure its rated to be burned by coal before id go too much farther. One thing about the coal gas is the softer coal will produce alot of soot which can lead to clogging of the flue pipe. If your not sure about it I would just get ride of it. Where are you located?

 

[Indiana John]

While it's true that coal is mostly carbon, there ARE minerals in it. Therefore, when you burn coal you will get "clinkers" in your stove, which are clumps of those minerals left over from the burning process. These clinkers look kinda like the lava rock used in gas grills.

 

[046]

I can burn coal in my insert. sure wish you were close by. I'd come get it all.

 

[laynes69]

Lower quality soft coals can produce alot of clinkers. I have never had an issue with anthracite. If it fuses you lose air, out goes the fire. Coal can be a PITA.