[TheForge] Forge firepot.

[Chris Worsley]

This is silly. I stored coal inside for 25 years. Started in galvanized 
cans and the bottoms rusted out. The coal was dry and dusty.
Then I built a coal bunker ( 8' X 2' x 4' deep) from plywood and loaded 
it up. There was a plywood lid which I kept closed. This coal was out of 
the weather and never got wet.
Some of the coal in the bottom never got used over a 20 year period 
because I would pile new stuff on top when it became available.
When I moved, and had to take it all apart and give the remaining coal 
away, the bottom of the bunker was not a bit different than when I built 
it. Just as dirty and just as strong.
Probably the same temperature as well, but I never measured it.

Chris

Rick Korinek wrote:

>Regarding coal warming up as it slowly decomposes....and the possibility of
>spontaneous heating.
>
>Is there a problem storing coal inside?  Say in large plastic recycling bins
>which hold about 100 pounds of coal each, and open on top?  I have about
>1000 pounds stored this way.
>
>No smoke or fumes so far,
>-Rick
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Grover Richardson
>Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 2:55 PM
>To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
>Subject: RE: RE: [TheForge] Forge firepot.
>
>The wife got me a couple of garbage cans (zinc covered steel) to store my
>coal in.  After a few years the bottoms rusted out.  Condensation and who
>knows what in the coal.  They were out of the weather under a cover, up on
>concrete blocks.
>
>The reason for the garbage cans was to keep the snakes out of the coal.
>According to her, as it decomposes it gets warm and draws the cold blooded
>creatures.
>
>  
>
>>*>-----Original Message-----
>>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>>*>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Freeman
>>*>Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 3:34 PM
>>*>To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
>>*>Subject: Re: RE: [TheForge] Forge firepot.
>>*>
>>*>
>>*>Walt,
>>*>I don't know for sure whether you'll get an acid from water+ 
>>*>coal or ash.  Wood ash is alkaline (opposite of acidic).  
>>*>Coal itself may be somewhat acidic.  Burning stuff changes 
>>*>its acidity, sometimes a LOT. But water plus anything ionic 
>>*>is corrosive.  
>>*>Bruce
>>*>NJ
>>*>
>>*>>>> wmullett at bright.net 6/29/2006 2:19:03 PM >>>
>>*>I've never had a problem of clinkers sticking to the tuyere 
>>*>either but then I also don't get many bad clinkers.  I know 
>>*>my coal is part of the reason I have few clinkers but also I 
>>*>believe the fact that I use a hand cranked blower is another 
>>*>reason.  
>>*>
>>*>I also have as light gauge portable forge that has held up 
>>*>very well for many years and it was original.  I've seen 
>>*>several old forges like this that are still ok.  I think you 
>>*>can use gauge material with manual blowers and if you are 
>>*>careful not to soak your forge in water when you quit. 
>>*>
>>*>Bruce - doesn't water react with the coal / ash and produce an acid?
>>*>
>>*>Walt
>>*> 
>>*>From: "Bruce Freeman" <FREEMAB at pt.fdah.com>
>>*>Date: Thu Jun 29, 1:58 PM
>>*>To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>*>Subject: RE: [TheForge] Forge firepot.
>>*>
>>*>I've never had a problem with clinker sticking to the 
>>*>firepot.  I've used steel or cast iron firepots.  What are you using?
>>*>
>>*>Bruce
>>*>NJ
>>*>
>>*>>>> grover.richardson at gtri.gatech.edu 6/29/2006 1:07:11 PM >>>
>>*><snip>
>>*>  Huge pieces of clinker can stick to the firepot and be 
>>*
>>