What kind of coal should I use in a forge?

Bituminous is the coal-of-choice for the blacksmith. It is a soft, mid-grade, black coal. Mined from deeper mines than lignite, it burns much more cleanly. When burning coal in the forge, we keep a “stock pile” of wet coal on the sides of the fire.

What kind of coal is best for a forge?

Bituminous Coal

This soft, black fossil fuel is the preferred forging coal of most blacksmiths. It has a low sulfur content. This is important because sulfur lowers the quality of the coke, rendering brittle any steel item it comes in contact with.

What is the best fuel for a forge?

Coal and propane are the most typical fuels used in blacksmith forges. On the East Coast, coal is readily available and therefore more affordable than on the West Coast. Coal burns more efficiently and hotter than wood. Because of its efficiency, the volume of coal needed is substantially less, too.

Can you use regular charcoal for a forge?

Charcoal is considered the least desirable fuel when blacksmithing. While readily available, charcoal may not even reach the necessary temperature to soften iron and steel without a lot of fuel and constant airflow. You can burn through a lot of charcoal quickly and still not achieve the proper temperatures.

Which coal is best and why?

Anthracite is the best quality of coal which carries 80 to 95 per cent carbon content. It ignites slowly with a blue flame. It has the highest calorific value.

Types of Coal for Blacksmithing - A lesson on coal | Iron Wolf Industrial

What is forge coke?

FORGING COKE. Maximum heat, famously clean burning, and low clinker. Premium Metallurgical COKE burns much hotter and cleaner than coal. Especially processed and sized for use in blacksmith and farrier forges.

What burns hotter coal or charcoal?

With this said, charcoal is said to produce an even more energy efficient fire which burns hotter and longer than coal ever could. Although carbon monoxide can be created during the incomplete combustion of coal, it is released in high levels when charcoal is burned.

How do you set up a forge coal?

What fuel is used in a forge?

A forge typically uses bituminous coal, industrial coke or charcoal as the fuel to heat metal. The designs of these forges have varied over time, but whether the fuel is coal, coke or charcoal the basic design has remained the same.

Can you use wood in a coal forge?

What kind of wood is best for forging? Any kind of dry wood will work: scrap pallets, small branches, firewood, old boards, etc. Avoid wood that may have been exposed to chemicals like pressure treated woods or pallets used for hazardous materials.

What is the difference between coal and anthracite?

The key difference between anthracite and coal is that anthracite has a higher quality when compared to normal coal. Moreover, compared to other normal coal, anthracite is harder, produces more energy when burned, does not ignite easily, impurities are less, and has higher carbon percentage.

How hot does a coke forge get?

Heating The Metal

The result is coke, a fuel that is almost entirely carbon allowing us to reach temperature of 3,000 to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the core of the fire! Fire this hot can quickly get the metal up to welding temperatures at about 2,500 degrees.

What is cheaper gas or coal forge?

Depending on the type of smithing that your doing gas is also generally considered more expensive than coal. The biggest drawback to most gas forges is the limited size of the forge itself.

What is the best refractory for a forge?

Highly flux resistant! This material works really well for coating an Inswool lined forge for protection against flux when forge welding. This is one of the most flux resistant coatings we have found to date!

Is blacksmithing an expensive hobby?

Blacksmithing costs between $2,000 to $5,000 to start. It's a great hobby, but it can be a bit pricey. You need an anvil, hammers, a forge, tongs, vices, safety gear, and the right clothing before you begin. You will need a used metal or new steel.

Can you use a grill as a coal forge?

A cheap barbecue makes a surprisingly effective forge. The tube is attached to a camp-bed inflator fan which pumps air through the charcoal to superheat it.

Which is better coal or coke?

Coke is a better fuel than coal. Coke is more efficient and has a higher calorific value than coal.

Can you buy coal coke?

Centaur Forge offers a wide selection of bagged smithing coal and coke, including in bulk. Find blacksmith coal for sale at low prices, with shipping included in the cost.

How do you make blacksmith coke?

It just naturally happens. When you start your first fire, you'll have to wait a few minutes for the volatiles in the coal to burn off, and then you'll have coke in the middle of your forge. The coal right next to the heart of the fire turns to coke as you work.

What is smithing coal?

Definition of smithing coal

: a grade of caking coal low in sulfur and ash used especially by blacksmiths.

How do I make my forge hotter?