PSA: Good forge coal is nearly impossible to find locally now

I had to drive two hours just to get a bag that doesn't clog up my fire.

4 comments

4 Comments

Your two-hour drive for coal that doesn't clog the fire hits home. In my experience, a lot of the good local mines have shut down because of strict clean air rules, so all that's left is the dusty stuff from big stores. I've heard some folks are switching to coke or even charcoal, but it changes how you manage the heat. It's not just about finding coal, it's about the skill to use what's available now. That shift might be why so many are struggling with their fires lately.

the_wyatt2mo ago

Did @diana829's neighbor figure out the right flue setting for coke yet?

olivia_hernandez2mo ago

Opening the flue wider for coke... that's wild. My uncle tried it last winter and smoked out his whole living room. The fire department showed up because his smoke detectors wouldn't stop. He went back to coal the next day, even the dusty kind. It's crazy how much you have to relearn just to stay warm.

-1

diana8292mo ago

You know, @wendy730, I read a piece last week about how those clean air rules pushed smaller mines to close. It said the leftover coal from big suppliers often has more rock mixed in, which creates that clinker problem. My neighbor switched to coke and found he had to open the flue wider to avoid smoking up the house. It's a whole new learning curve, like you said. I've seen folks try charcoal briquettes too, but they burn out fast if you don't watch them. That skill shift is real, and it's causing a lot of frustration around here.