Coal Firing Your Oven Discuss Coal in the Oven Management forums; A little info I found. Anthracite Anthracite is coal with the highest carbon content, between 86 and 98 percent, and ...

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

A little info I found.
Anthracite
Anthracite is coal with the highest carbon content, between 86 and 98 percent, and a heat value of nearly 15,000 BTUs-per-pound. Most frequently associated with home heating, anthracite is a very small segment of the U.S. coal market. There are 7.3 billion tons of anthracite reserves in the United States, found mostly in 11 northeastern counties in Pennsylvania.

Bituminous
The most plentiful form of coal in the United States, bituminous coal is used primarily to generate electricity and make coke for the steel industry. The fastest growing market for coal, though still a small one, is supplying heat for industrial processes. Bituminous coal has a carbon content ranging from 45 to 86 percent carbon and a heat value of 10,500 to 15,500 BTUs-per-pound.

Subbituminous
Ranking below bituminous is subbituminous coal with 35-45 percent carbon content and a heat value between 8,300 and 13,000 BTUs-per-pound. Reserves are located mainly in a half-dozen Western states and Alaska. Although its heat value is lower, this coal generally has a lower sulfur content than other types, which makes it attractive for use because it is cleaner burning.

Lignite
Lignite is a geologically young coal which has the lowest carbon content, 25-35 percent, and a heat value ranging between 4,000 and 8,300 BTUs-per-pound. Sometimes called brown coal, it is mainly used for electric power generation.

I tried Using coal in a forge once,Oddly enough I couldnt get it lit... I even would start with charcoal and let it sit in there,,, I wonder if it can go bad somehow ??


Cheers Mark

[mrgweeto]

I had no trouble with the "chestnut" anthrocite I was using when I used it to heat my house many, many years ago. I just stoked a wood fire and put the coal on top and it ignited easily. I think I am going to opt not to use it in the WFO because once I use up the 5/ 50lb bags I have I wouldn't go out and get more and like my brother and I discussed, why tinker with success. The wood is plentiful right now and the taste and results of cooking are great so I may just throw the coal onto the embers when we shovel them out of the oven and start a fall/winter fire in the fire pit behind us while we are baking bread. How is it cooking pizza in the winter? I would think that the dough would be a little tough to work with outside in the low temps. I'm thinking of making them inside and walking them out to the oven. Would save on the hands and the dough.
G

[cuda]

Coal definitely burns hotter than wood.

[mrgweeto]

It does burn hotter and also has considerable more ash than wood, as much as 10 times more. I would'nt think so having burned both but it does. I am going to just use it up on and open fire to keep warm outside as I am sitting back waiting for some bread to bake and sipping on some homemade wine or grappa.
G