Good quality smokeless coal ? 24 August 2022 at 1:07PM in LPG, heating oil, solid & other fuels 2 replies 168 views

sam1974_2

Just wondering what everyone’s recommendations are for a good quality/burn smokeless coal ? 

We’ve tried a few different ones over the last few years, but stuck with Homeflame Ecoal 50, as it was the only one we found that truly burnt through each ‘nugget’ leaving just ash to clean out. 

Coal like Brazier we found that although it seems to burn fine, upon cleaning out we were constantly trying to sieve through huge chunks that hadn’t burnt all the way through, so not only is that very messy, makes you feel like you were throwing money away in unused product - no idea if this is a common issue or not 🤷🏻‍♀️

I know everything is going up in price, but seems the Ecoal50 prices have had quite a big jump this year (we paid on average £5 ish for 10kg last year, now £7) doesn’t sound a huge increase when you see it like that, but is when we are using half a bag each evening, full bag for a whole day. 

We do burn a bit of wood, not much compared to coal though. Haven’t heard from local farmer yet how much he will be selling for this year, but expecting a rise as he hasn’t put prices up for at least 6 years! £70 for a bulk load approx 1m3 or large nets £4 each.  

We opt for coal mainly as last longer than logs when used all evening or all day - but not sure if the prices stack up cheaper now or not tbh 🤯

FreeBear

I've had good results with Taybrite and Stoveheat ovals - Lasts quite well, no clinker, and burns down to ash. Any unburnt lumps stay in the grate after riddling out the ash.

I have also tried anthracite as lumps or beans - Darned stuff is near on impossible to light, and won't keep going unless the vent is open all the way. It was so bad, I had the coal merchant collect the unopened bags (he refunded me, so no problem there).

Phurnacite on the other hand, was just as free burning as Taybrite & Stoveheat, but not as cheap..

sam1974_2

FreeBear said:

I've had good results with Taybrite and Stoveheat ovals - Lasts quite well, no clinker, and burns down to ash. Any unburnt lumps stay in the grate after riddling out the ash.

I have also tried anthracite as lumps or beans - Darned stuff is near on impossible to light, and won't keep going unless the vent is open all the way. It was so bad, I had the coal merchant collect the unopened bags (he refunded me, so no problem there).

Phurnacite on the other hand, was just as free burning as Taybrite & Stoveheat, but not as cheap..

Thanks - sounds like unburnt lumps are fairly normal with most coal then. Weirdly we never get any with the Ecoal50. If the fire hasn’t been poked, it”s still in perfectly oval shaped pieces but is actual ash so makes cleaning out super easy, esp with an ash vac (if cold). 

I’ll have a look see if I can buy small bags of Taybrite and Stoveheat to compare, thank you!