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ThomasABoucher

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Posts: 119
http://Boucherillustrations.com
Location: United States Alpharetta
Occupation: Illustrator
Age: 38
#779   2014-07-06 23:20          
Anyone here burn only charcoal or have a lot of experience with it? I'm contemplating using it, but I have 0 experience with it.

I have a coal forge, but I live in a subdivision. I'm guessing billows of coal smoke won't go over well with the neighborhood. I understand charcoal burns cleaner, effectively like a grill would, so I'm guessing there should be no issue there. I'm worried about flying embers though. Is that a problem? How bad? Is there a way to contain that? I don't need to start the great Alpharetta fire of 2014.

I'm also concerned with the rate at which it burns. I understand it burns faster than coal, but how much so? Are we talking one 50lbs bag of coal to two 50lbs bags of charcoal? More? Less?

Another thing is availability and cost. I'm guessing the availability is better since I can get it at the grocery store, but what about a reasonable bulk supply? My guess is charcoal is more expensive to burn than coal because of the speed you go through it, but how much greater is cost? I've read it's not very cost effective unless you make your own. I would, only it's probably not a great idea for the same reasons I'm looking to burn charcoal and not coal.

Lastly, how does it compare to forging in coal? Is there any appreciable difference? Or are the only main factors cost and rate of burn?

As to not direct this off topic, I'm not ready to look into gas. As stated, I have a coal forge. Ideally I want to work with coal, but due to where I live I think it would be a bad idea. If charcoal could work for me, I could effectively buy a bag tomorrow and be forging in minutes. Thanks for the input.
"Get 'em while they're hot!"
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