[TheForge] coke vs. coal

[robert hensarling]

Good Grief, Ralph Sproul?  That name keeps popping up all over the place 
:o)  Seriously though I know Ralph thought the internet.  We met several 
years ago and he's helped me out of a world of problems, sharp guy (and was 
probably around when the coal was still a tree <G>).
Being neighbor friendly isn't a concern thankfully.  I live a couple of 
miles out in the country.  My main concern is the excessive heat generated 
by the coke (or "cokes" as Uri Hoffi says, "everyone should trry and use-n 
zee cokes".  At this point in my learning career I better try and learn 
forge welding using coal, then switch to coke later on should I need to.
Many thanks for all the answers.
RH
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Korinek" <rickkorinek at verizon.net>
To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 9:34 AM
Subject: RE: [TheForge] coke vs. coal


> 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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