[TheForge] coke vs. coal

[Rick Korinek]

Coke is very neighbor-friendly fuel.  Virtually no smoke.  The company
making it has already done all the polluting by burning off the volatiles of
the coal.

I used some when I was living in a subdivision near Boston.  The key is to
get "metallurgical" coke that has been crushed and screened.  The stuff I
used was dime to nickel sized chunks.  It worked very well, although it gave
off lots of radiant heat that made it hot in the area you were working.

The other thing about coke is it burns very hot.  Those using it recommend a
heavy, thicker fire pot to avoid cracking.  Starting/lighting it was no
problem when you build a small fire using wood kindling underneath first.
Also not a bad way to start a coal fire as it smells much better than
newspaper.

I know that a couple of folks out east got together to buy a large quantity
about 4 years ago.  Ralph Sproul was one and could probably provide info
about their supplier, etc.

Rick Korinek
Island City Forge
Minocqua, WI
islandcityforge.com

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of GHS
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:29 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] coke vs. coal

Don how is coke on smoke and smell?
I know that my coal fire is a lot more neighbor friendly once it has 
coked up.

I have been thinking of coke or charcoal for just that reason.

Mike Graf
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