What is smokeless fuel made of?

Anthracite is a hard, shiny form of fuel that burns with maximum efficiency and a glowing flame. Manufactured smokeless fuels are often anthracite based with the natural product ground down into a powder. They are then re-formed into briquettes using smokeless binding agents such as starch or molasses.

Is smokeless fuel made from coal?

Smokeless fuels generally have a high calorific value, with that of anthracite being greater than dry wood for example, and many smokeless briquettes are made from this type of coal. Thus anthracite has a calorific value of 32.50 MJ/kg compared with that of dry wood of about 21 MJ/kg.

What is Excel smokeless fuel made from?

Excel Smokeless Coal

EXCEL coal is made from high-quality anthracite and produces significantly lower air pollution than traditional house coal. They are DEFRA certified for use in Smoke Control Areas under section 20 of the Clean Air Act (1993).

Is smokeless fuel a fossil fuel?

Smokeless fuels are usually solid fossil fuels, such as: anthracite, coke, and charcoal. Unlike bituminous coals they contain little impurities and so don't produce smoke when burned. Wood is not a smokeless fuel.

What is smokeless fuel?

What is smokeless fuel? Smokeless fuels include the various types of fuel that only produce very small amounts of smoke when burned. Types of smokeless fuel include, for example, bioethanol and smokeless coal, both of which we will take a deeper look at in this brief guide.

Aldi Smokeless Coal - Any Good?

What fuel is safe to burn indoors?

Ethanol or ethyl (Everclear) is about 95 percent alcohol and is a fantastic fuel for burning indoors. It burns so cleanly that the flame is blue or nearly invisible. Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is an acceptable cooking fuel. It may be purchased in 70 percent, 91 percent, and 99 percent strengths.

Can I burn wood and smokeless fuel together?

Burning smokeless coal and firewood together can be beneficial to your appliance. The extra heat from the solid fuel drives off any moisture in your logs, significantly reducing the build-up of tar and rusting. A fire of both smokeless coal and firewood will also burn hotter for longer.

Is smokeless coal carbon free?

Smokeless coal or fuels, on the other hand, are much more environmentally friendly. Because they're hard, they have a high carbon content and don't contain volatile materials, they're efficient and don't produce as much smoke.

Can I burn smokeless coal on an open fire?

Can you burn smokeless coal on an open fire? More good news – of course you can. Smokeless coal, like traditional coal, is designed to be used on open fires and will burn very efficiently in a grate or fireplace. For those in smoke control areas, smokeless fuels like smokeless coal may in fact be your only option.

Is smokeless fuel bad for the environment?

To summarise, smokeless coal is not bad for you. It does not emit any hidden, toxic fumes into the air and the lack of smoke is actually incredibly beneficial to your respiratory system, the environment and the health of your appliances.

Does smokeless coal contain Sulphur?

Smokeless fuel (or anthracite) burns with less smoke that coal but some mixtures with petcoke ( a waste product from oil refineries) can contain high quantities of sulphur: Make sure that your smokeless fuel is a low-sulphur type authorised for use in Smoke Control areas.

What is the best fuel to burn on an open fire?

The most traditional fuel for open fires is housecoal. It is available in various sizes e.g. Large Cobbles, Cobbles, Trebles and Doubles. The larger sizes are usually a little more expensive than Doubles size.

Is burning anthracite bad for the environment?

But burning anthracite coal does emit more carbon dioxide per unit of heat than just about any other fuel, according to the Energy Information Administration. That makes it a contributor to climate change.

Is anthracite better than smokeless fuel?

Anthracite has a very high carbon content, sometimes as high as 98%, which means that it contains less volatile materials and therefore does not give of any thick smoke when it is burned. Anthracite is a hard, shiny form of fuel that burns with maximum efficiency and a glowing flame.

Where does UK smokeless fuel come from?

Many smokeless fuels are manufactured by breaking the anthracite rock down into a fine dust. Often, this dust is then moulded using smokeless binding agents and made into briquettes. This creates smokeless coal, which we offer alongside anthracite beans, nuts and grain.

Can you BBQ on smokeless coal?

For barbecues and bonfires, it's best to stick to charcoal or, as we recommend, smokeless wood briquettes. These burn quickly, cleanly and efficiently, so they're much safer and will deliver greater results than even charcoal or liquid fuels.

Will smokeless coal be banned?

Smokeless Coals (including Anthracite) and Kiln Dried Logs are NOT being banned.

Does smokeless coal burn hotter than wood?

Coal ignites at a temperature more than 100 degrees higher than wood, and it requires a hot bed of wood coals to get it started. Being far denser than wood, coal burns more steadily and longer.

Is coal going to be banned in the UK?

Coal merchants

All sales of traditional house coal will be banned in England from 1 May 2023.

What can I burn on my open fire instead of coal?

If you currently burn coal, you should consider switching to an alternative fuel, such as manufactured solid fuels known as briquettes for use on open fires and for stove users you could use smokeless coal known as anthracite or consider manufactured solid fuels but make sure the fuel used is suitable for your ...

What is the most environmentally friendly fuel?

Natural gas is the most eco-friendly fossil fuel. It is also gaining popularity because its price is a big advantage. Natural gas is a bridge from hard coal and oil to renewable, clean energy.

What is the most eco-friendly fire?

Gas fires can achieve up to 86% efficiency and a flueless gas fire is 100% energy efficient. A gas fire doesn't use as much energy and is cheaper to run – they also don't produce any smoke. Gas is a much more eco-friendly fireplace option than an open fire.

Does smokeless coal ruin flue liners?

Burning mixed Wood, Coal and Smokeless fuel can seriously damage your flue liner.

What is the best smokeless fuel for stoves?

Anthracite – Clean burning & efficient

It has a high carbon content and few impurities, which means it burns far cleaner than softer, dirtier coals too. It also produces less smoke and pollutants when burnt, making it ideal for multi fuel stoves in our homes.

Is kiln dried wood smokeless fuel?

Wood is not specifically listed as a smokeless fuel, so many people assume they can't burn it in smokeless zones. However, by using a DEFRA-certified stove (also known as an exempt appliance), good quality, dry wood can be used safely.