Cheap smokeless coal, another endangered species. What to buy?

Andrea15

Hi,

I thought I would get a head start and source some coal for the winter, but prices (surprise surprise) seem to have escalated. I wanted to get a pallet because last time a checked (it was march) it worked out cheaper than buying by the bag at £4 a shot, however I am not finding any anymore. Could it be because coal is "out of season"? Maybe I should have moved sooner, and now even this has gone up in price massively.

FreeBear

Most of the coal used in this country is imported, so you are hostage to international shipping charges and global prices.

Andrea15

I have just been to the local coal supplier. The cost of smokeless has gone up for 25 Kg bags from £8.50 to £10, now £11 and come august there will be another increase.

I wonder, they sell a coal that is marked as "not authorised in smoked controlled areas" (Oxbow Red), but the guy says it is OK because we are in Scotland. I have checked it and it seems that it is true (see here: https://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/fuels.php?country=scotland)
Can someone enlighten me? That yard has been around since the beginning of time, so I doubt they would make it up, but I thought I would double check.
From what I can see that coal is the cheapest around I would be tempted to buy a pallet. Even though I can buy any quantity I like I don't want to be hit by hit another price increase.

comeandgo

At the moment in Scotland you can buy and burn non smokeless coal as long as a coal merchant is selling it and it’s in open bags but be careful as it was reported that government want to stop this in 2023.

Andrea15

@comeandgo, that coal is smokeless, only it is marked as "not authorized in smoked controlled areas", hence the confusion. 

comeandgo

Are you in a smoke control area?  Who marked the coal as not authorised……?

Andrea15

The marking is on the packaging, it is not an add on. If you Google it you'll see it. But also, if you look at the defra link above it seems ok.
I am in a house in the town centre and I have just checked.

Swipe

Andrea15 said:

@comeandgo, that coal is smokeless, only it is marked as "not authorized in smoked controlled areas", hence the confusion. 

If it's smokeless no one would know anyway.

Andrea15

i don't know... I read that it could be bad for your flue or something... I think I am going to phone the manufacturer and ask them.

Andrea15

I have phoned the manufacturer and they said that what my guy is selling is an old product that from last year had its composition slightly altered to lower the sulphur content. However the old stuff is fine to be used in Scotland and Wales. So the merchant wasn't trying to fob me off.