A warning about using old coal in your forge

For years, I just used whatever bituminous coal I could get from the local yard in Toledo, never thinking about its age. Last spring, I grabbed a bag that had been sitting outside all winter and my fire was weak, sputtered a lot, and left a huge clinker. I found out damp, old coal loses a lot of its volatile gases. Now I always store it dry under a tarp and test a small batch first. Has anyone else run into problems with coal that wasn't fresh?

2 comments

2 Comments

julia62212d ago

How long does coal usually stay good in a dry shed?

gray_walker4912d ago

Hey @julia622, in a dry shed it can last years. Mine was still fine after three winters, just keep it covered so dust doesn't get on it.