Damp smokeless coal

Andrea15

Hi,

new to coal, so I am trying to learn. I just got my multi fuel addition to my existing stove. So far so good.
I went to buy a bag of coal from Range and found it is very wet inside. Upon searching on google I have discovered this is NOT an uncommon occurrence. What do do in these cases?
Tomorrow I am going to try a different brand to see if it improve things. I have the stove going for some hours, but it is just not getting warm, so wet coal does look like a non starter. I wonder if I should return it, but if it does happen often...

Any advice is welcome.

Swipe

Wet coal is not an issue. Always fill your bucket up and leave it next to the stove to dry out. That way you always have a dry bucket ready to go.

Andrea15

But how long does it take to dry out? Also, given that it is a 10 Kg bag it will take a bigger bucket (mind you, I could still fill the one I am using at present).

Any advice on how to "get going"^

QrizB

Andrea15 said:

Any advice on how to "get going"^

Coal being wet shouldn't be a big problem; once it's burning, it will drive off the water as steam and dry out pretty quickly.

you say you've got a multifuel conversion kit? Coal likes a draught from below, on a grate (wood is less fussy). Have you got your airflow set up to provide this?

https://www.stovesonline.co.uk/wood-burning-stove-or-multifuel-choosing-and-using-your-help-advice

dunstonh

I went to buy a bag of coal from Range and found it is very wet inside.

That just isn't a good way or cost-effective way to buy coal.

What type of coal was it?   

Andrea15

QrizB said:

Andrea15 said:

Any advice on how to "get going"^

Coal being wet shouldn't be a big problem; once it's burning, it will drive off the water as steam and dry out pretty quickly.

you say you've got a multifuel conversion kit? Coal likes a draught from below, on a grate (wood is less fussy). Have you got your airflow set up to provide this?

Yes, the vent below is fully open. And the one at the top fully closed. The fan is not even getting started and the flue is at about 140 °F/80 °C

Andrea15

dunstonh said:

I went to buy a bag of coal from Range and found it is very wet inside.

That just isn't a good way or cost-effective way to buy coal.

What type of coal was it?   

It was the Brazier, at £4 per bag. I understand it is cheapest available (even if you buy in bulk).
At Range they have another brand at £11 per 20 kg.

Swipe

Try some Blaze from B&M £3.99 a bag

Andrea15

How many ovals am I supposed to use? Maybe I used too few, hence the temperature didn't go high enough? 
I had some kindling going with 2-3 ovals (as per instructions) then I added a few more and kept adding them now and again. Maybe this wasn't the best policy...
Everyone talks about wood, but very few people talk about smokeless coal.

FreeBear

Have you got a shed or garage ?

If so, tip the coal out and spread it around a bit to let it dry a little. Scoop it up into a 2 gallon bucket and bring it indoors - I have a few bags of coal that is a little damp in the shed. After a couple of days standing beside the stove, it is nice & dry.

Burning wet coal is not a good idea. Aside from leaving heavy deposits on the glass, the water combines with nitrogen & sulphur compounds to produce nitric & sulphuric acids - Both are damaging for your chimney liner and not good for the environment.

QrizB

Andrea15 said:

How many ovals am I supposed to use? Maybe I used too few, hence the temperature didn't go high enough? 
I had some kindling going with 2-3 ovals (as per instructions) then I added a few more and kept adding them now and again. Maybe this wasn't the best policy...

It's hard to describe but my technique is something like this (not my video, just one found by YouTube search):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzV2NGIz2g