Making a coal fire

alzeebub

balmaiden wrote: »

The fluff from tumble dryers make excellent fire lighters

best tip ever!

green_dragon_3

get a somke pellet light it in the fier place go outside see if smoke comes out of the chimney.if not its not a working fire .

Poppycat

I dont think its the chimney at fault because it was used prior to us moving in, in fact the living room was too hot the day we visited.

We got some coal (mostly small lumps) from a coal merchant, I assume it was the same supplier (there isn't many going these days anyhow) as it had a receipt stuck on the coal scuttle.

The coal is stored outside in its own bag, I asked the lady whos husband deliverys coal if it was okay, and she said its fine stored outside that way.

Funny enough I did see a load of pallets laying about near a motor retailer shop, I was tempted to get some but it was late.

I am sure some one told me though that pallets dont make very good wood to burn and also may contain metal staples that hold them together.

We dont have a tumble dryer so the fluff is a no no for us, good idea though

Thanks for all the advice

ormus

quote:
I am sure some one told me though that pallets dont make very good wood to burn and also may contain metal staples that hold them together.

true. but when you split them for firewood most nails etc will fall out.
and in any case any metal bits/staples will just fall thro the grate into the ash.

BobProperty

ormus wrote: »

quote:
I am sure some one told me though that pallets dont make very good wood to burn and also may contain metal staples that hold them together.

true. but when you split them for firewood most nails etc will fall out.
and in any case any metal bits/staples will just fall thro the grate into the ash.

Having seen pallets being commercially repaired I can assure you they won't "fall out" as they are made from large ring shank nails fired in from pneumatic nail guns. You might be able to break the timber off but you will be very hard pushed to pull the nails out.

vansboy

Pallets ARE an excellent wood to burn on your fire, for a few reasons.

Easily available, 'cos plenty broken ones around & of a size that are easy to move & cut up. If you buy a cheap electric chain saw, it'l be a lot easier than finding logs & humping tree trunks around!!

The only bits you can'use easily, are the ones with chipwood blocks between the top & bottom section of the pallet. This won't easily burn on open fires.

At our last house, we had a wood burner stove in the kitchen & in the 15years ther, only once did we ever buy logs. The reast of the time it was all collected/donated, bits of fence, double glazing windows being fitte dto neighbors, people having flooring replaced - all the contractors are pleased to get rid of it to you!!

VB

siocledpoeth

we've used pallets in the past but were recently told that this was the cause of our warped woodburner because there's something added to the wood which makes it burn at too high a temp - no idea if it's true though.

canny_star

We have a open coal fire with backboiler as our main heating - you should keep your coal out of the rain - if you can't buy it in sealed bags (not sacks from the coalman) and then shove a black bin liner over it to keep it raintight.

Some tips for cheapness and getting it going (from experience).

Like all say pallets are great, I have a large woodstore and our local builders shove outside lots of offcuts so we nab them in our little trailer.

You need to make sure you have a clean grate (ever other day is fine for cleaning) but make sure there are plenty of gaps so that air can be drawn up. Scrunch up paper use lots at first until you get the knack - we also save all our old loo roll and kitchen towel tubes shove them full of tissues (yes used!) or old wrapping paper (which burns well this way but not en masse). Tissue used to clean fat out of a frying pan also is good to use.

We go along the lanes collecting cut down branches, store them until they are dry and these make good kindling, as do old wooden chairs, shelves and other stuff we find hanging around! But try not to buy wood and kindling and firelighters and coal from shops or your £129 4 week gas bill will start to look cheap!

I just realised how long this is, so will go and let you snuggle by your roaring fire (hopefully!).