[TheForge] Cap and trade

[Bob Ehrenberger]

The charcoal I have was given to me at an event I was demonstrating at.  One 
day the guy came by and said that he had some coal he didn't need and I 
could have it if I wanted it.  I told him I would give it a try, expecting 
him to bring me a sample.  The next day he shows up with a barrel  full of 
charcoal.  It is in pretty big chunks, some as big as a softball.  It was 
given to him so he didn't know the original source, or even if it was home 
made or commercial.

I tried it right there and didn't like the sparks because of the wind.  It 
may work better in my shop forge.  I like the idea of having a renewable 
fuel source, but we heat with wood and I really don't want to have to cut 
any more than I am already.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wesley Marquart" <marquart at arlinn-tower.com>
To: "'Bob Ehrenberger'" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "'Blacksmithing List 
Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>; "'Roger Degner'" 
<780 at mchsi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:10 PM
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Cap and trade


Hey Bob,

Just curious...  What kind of charcoal were you using?

I switched to exclusively using home made charcoal about 8 years ago after
using 'Grove Charcoal' for a couple of years.  Grove is a local to Wisconsin
hardwood charcoal.  Admittedly charcoal does spark a bit more that coal
(especially when you get to the bottom of the bag or barrel) but I really
haven't seem a whole lot of popping... perhaps the kind you used was
somewhat damp?