Coal stove question.

[Jstpssng]

I'm curious what the difference is vs one designed for burning wood. I've often thought that might be a good way to burn wood chips.
One of the many things at the family homestead is a small coal burning parlor stove from the middle of the last century. I've thought about bringing it home but don't want yet another item which I "thought I have a use for."

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

in the boiler world, a coal boiler is more heavy duty unit as it has to handle a much higher density fuel.
I would suspect same argument when it comes to "stoves" versus boilers.
Coal has a much bigger punch of energy than most other biomass stuff like wood..

 

[Jstpssng]

in the boiler world, a coal boiler is more heavy duty unit as it has to handle a much higher density fuel.
I would suspect same argument when it comes to "stoves" versus boilers.
Coal has a much bigger punch of energy than most other biomass stuff like wood..

That's what I was wondering. Is it as easy to start burning as wood?
The heater I mentioned still has a page from an old 195? newspaper... if my sister hasn't scoffed it.

 

[CalG]

Coal requires air up and through the "bed" and so requires bottom air and a suitable grate to hold the type (size) of coal you choose to burn.

Wood can burn just fine laying on it's own coals and ashes.

Wood and coal require different "tending" procedures, but that is not your stated question.

A durable coal burner requires
a shaker grate made of cast iron
a air inlet UNDER the fire box
A well controlled draft (and that does not mean constricted, the draft must be sufficient but not excessive)
A coal stove MUST have it's own flue.

 

[ponytug]

@CalG nice summary!

@Jstpssng coal also burns much hotter than wood, so the firebox design needs to be built to handle the greatly increased heat output and temperature. I think it is harder to start, but it is just a process of kindling, or the infamous British "firelighters", which usually didn't.

Ben Franklin designed and used a brazier like down draft coal burner for his study. I have never read how he got the downdraft started, or how many dogs or kids got too close to the floor level flue.

All the best,

Peter

 

[oosik]

The pellet stove I have is also designed to feed some "pelleted" form of coal. However - I was cautioned that it had specific/different requirement vs wood. Also - it would put out a certain amount of coal smoke into the house. Over time it would coat the walls with a somewhat "greasy" form of coal smoke residue.

I have burned - wood pellets, wheat and dry corn - in this stove. It definitely works best with wood pellets. I never tried coal. Long ago I gave up on the pellet stove - pellets got too expensive. Now it sits there as a conversation piece.

 

[caver]

It's harder to get coal started but man once it's going it is HOT. We had three coal burning fireplaces in our rented flat in Scotland. They are about the size of a brown paper grocery sack. Uncle Sam had me living there for 2 years and I had enough rank to move off base.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

I'm curious what the difference is vs one designed for burning wood. I've often thought that might be a good way to burn wood chips.
One of the many things at the family homestead is a small coal burning parlor stove from the middle of the last century. I've thought about bringing it home but don't want yet another item which I "thought I have a use for."

back in the homestead days (where you say your stove comes from) almost 100% sure you have what we used to call a hand fired stove. Open door, chuck in some coal, close the door, repeat couple times a day.

Much like cord wood stoves we have today you simply open it up, shovel a load in, shut the door, adjust the damper, and you be good to go. If you truely have a homestead coal stove you will see not a lot fancy draft, grating or other stuff. Back when we used them and back in the caboose days they were simply load and go. Real heavy duty so if in good shape you have a keeper for sure. And yes you can burn wood in it. Coal in a wood stove not a good idea though.

Today in coal boilers we have air injectors, coal pulverizors, computer controlled chains, back flash systems, etc....

Would your stove happen to have a marking on it like "RR". If so you could have an old caboose stove. We used to heat our place with one and they are worth a lot of money these days if truely an old rail road model. Would love to see some pictures of it.