[TheForge] Non-Spontanious Ignition. Lighting your forge onpurpose.

[Toni Smith]

Yeah from what I have studied properly made forging charcoal can be far
better than coal for most forging processes. It needs to be burnt with a
lack of oxygen though to make it best. Charcoal burning was once an art in
itself and there were people who did that and nothing else for a living.
They used to make a big pile of dry wood and cover it with earth. Then dig
small holes for some air both in the top and in selected places around the
bottom. It was then lit and holes opened and closed as it progressed. 

When I did it I dug a pit, put the dry wood in, covered it with roofing
iron, got the fire going and then covered with earth leaving a couple small
holes. Came out with a lot of good charcoal

Toni Smith
 
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~*~*~Love is a hearts willingness to overcome any obstacle at any
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only things worth fighting for~*~*~
 

Well, being a PROPERLY lazy blacksmith, back when I was lighting coal
fires, I'd fire up some charcoal (a few briquets) and lay the coal on
that. A bit of judicious air blasting, and I had a fire. However,
remembering PROPERLY lazy ;-) it occered to me that coal was just too
much work, so I switched to charcoal, and have been (mostly) using it
ever since.

It doesn't smell bad, it's easy to teach beginners on, and forge
welding's a dream- and all it takes to light it is a light dousing
with "boy scout water" and I'm not only up and running, but I can
actually cook lunch over the fire, or brew coffee, or watever, without
having it taste bad.
 

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