[TheForge] Lump vs Briquet Charcoal

[marilyn traber 011221]

> If you got the
> > briquets, like people use for a barbecue, they'll all be the same shape.
> > They're made out of compressed sawdust, and, while they'll work, they just
> > don't get as hot as "lump" charcoal does.
> 
> Hi Phlip,
>      When I started, I used kingsford charcoal and a 7"x7"x7" cast 
> iron hibachi.  I was able to melt steel using only a plastic blow 
> dryer for airflow.  The worst fuel I have ever used is fruitwood,
>  but I still got the steel orange.  Charcoal briquets just need a 
> deeper fire.
> 
> -Chris K.

I've used the charcoal briquets too- it gets broke out, and lump charcoal 
isn't always easy to find. As I said, it'll work, but me fire never got hot 
enough to forge weld in, no matter how I stacked them. They're certainly 
better than nothing, and, over all, charcoal is a lot easier for a new smith 
to get started with than coal, whether lump or briquet, but I've never gotten 
all the heat I wanted out of briquets.

Phlip