What's the best brand/type of coal

samandmillie

We have an open fire and have been buying coal from the local petrol station (I am aware this is not the best place to buy hence this post). I've been using smokeless home fire ecoal. I got a bag tonight and it cost £7 for 10kg. Does anyone have any recommendations for the best type of coal? We are new to this and have only had an open fire for a couple of months. I have assumed that coal is better to burn than logs as the heat will last longer?

Many thanks

suki1964

Omg why pay those prices? You may as well burn fivers right up the chimney


I pay 16 quid for smokeless ovals - that's a 50kg bag. All coal merchants are about this price give a quid or two

You need to find what your stove burns best with and that will be different from the same stove three doors away Best thing to do is look up coal merchants in your area and order a bag of their cheapest smokeless and give it a try and then try a bag off every type and see what works best on your stove

Petrol station coals will soon have you parting with your life savings ( well not quite but close )

A._Badger

Suki is spot-on about petrol stations vs coal merchants!

The big question is, do you have an open fire or a stove? And are you actually in a smoke control area?

If you can let us have those details, I'm sure help will follow.

samandmillie

Sorry should have said its an open fire. Not sure if it's a smoke free area I googled and couldnt find anything so thought I'd play it safe. Does normal coal stink if I'm not in a smoke free zone? Thanks

Man_Overboard_2

samandmillie wrote: »

Sorry should have said its an open fire. Not sure if it's a smoke free area I googled and couldnt find anything so thought I'd play it safe. Does normal coal stink if I'm not in a smoke free zone? Thanks

HomeFire always used to be regarded as the best smokeless fual for an open fire - most smokeless fuels are designed to be used in a stove.

The biggest problem with coal is not it's smell, but it's variable quality.

Your local coal merchant will be able to advise you on prices, and smokeless zones.

A._Badger

samandmillie wrote: »

Sorry should have said its an open fire. Not sure if it's a smoke free area I googled and couldnt find anything so thought I'd play it safe. Does normal coal stink if I'm not in a smoke free zone? Thanks

Sorry - my mistake! You had said an open fire.

As has been suggested, ask your local coal merchant if you are in a smokeless zone. If you aren't, my advice would be to burn good quality housecoal. It has a much better flame pattern and is significantly cheaper to use than smokeless.

If you have to burn smokeless, I agree with Man Overboard, try Homefire. Your coal merchant may have an alternative to suggest, and if he has, it's worth a try.

Man_Overboard_2

A._Badger wrote: »

Sorry - my mistake! You had said an open fire.

As has been suggested, ask your local coal merchant if you are in a smokeless zone. If you aren't, my advice would be to burn good quality housecoal. It has a much better flame pattern and is significantly cheaper to use than smokeless.

If you have to burn smokeless, I agree with Man Overboard, try Homefire. Your coal merchant may have an alternative to suggest, and if he has, it's worth a try.

Also, consider how likely it is that your council will be checking up on your smoky chimney!

Smokeless zones were instigated in response to the the lethal smogs of the 1950s

wrightk

agree with the others, speak to your local coal merchant there is always a coal merchant not far away. they will usually have a delivery day and if they are nice like ours they will advise on the best for you.

£16 per 50kg seems a standard price for coal merchants. we burn welsh blend anthracite which was advised by our merchant for our stove, he even gave us a massive bag of kindling when we moved in to get us going, and if we forget to leave the money out for him he always delivers it anyway and we pay double next time etc. its good to have a good relationship with your coal merchant as when your snowed in and if your like us this is your only source of heating youll be glad when he turns up with a big bag of coal for you!

shegar

Ive got a open fire in a well insulated bungalow,I light the fire of a evening , well about 4 ish, I burn large lumps house coal and buy it in hundredweight bags for £16.70, delivered by local coal merchant....

When I light the fire I start it with 2 large lumps and burn couple logs, after couple hours I put the poker in and break the lumps and that go another couple hours and that lasts til about 9 ish...............

Id never buy that small house coal as it falls through the grate pretty quick and smoke like hell................

samandmillie

Thank you for all of the replies. I found a supplier today that delivers in my area every Thursday so have ordered 3 bags of premium Columbian at £7.38 for 25kg inc del. he advised that was the best one as it burns hotter, longer and cleaner, he also co firmed that I am not in a smoke free zone so I'll give it a go and hopefully save some money.

shegar

sirghayoor wrote: »

you are right open fire is not right place for buying if you are willing then you have to purchase it from right place.

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