Blaschack Bit Me Again!!!

Yesterday my auger siezed. Usually this is due to large pieces of coal or rocks getting stuck between the auger and the feed tube. However, this time when I removed the auger I could not find any large pieces of coal or rocks. What I did find was an accumulation of wet fines around the auger at the bottom of the hopper.

Has this happened to anybody else?

I'm theorizing the wet fines caused the auger to bind. After I vacuumed this all out and restarted the furnce there were no further problems. Unfortunately, the bagged Blaschack is wet even after I have drained it in the bag and double-bucketed it. There also appears to be a large amount of fines in the coal (which may be why they wet it down so much). The plastic bags really suck. They don't seem to keep the moisture out (they have holes in them) nor do they let the coal dry.

Will

I've used Blaschack bagged pea coal for the past 3 season - it's all I have available within an hour's drive - and this year I noticed a lot more fines and wetness then years past. I don't mind much because I have a hand fired stove but I can definitely see where it would be a pain in a stoker. Maybe next year I'll drive a little further up RT 15 to get a different brand. Lisa

Will, I spoke about this 'bagged wet coal' issue yesterday. I am here to tell you that there is no way in hell that coal is bagged wet, stored where it can get wet and the only way water can get into it is after is leaves Blashak's custody. It is covered and shrink wrapped and then who knows what has happened to it after it leaves the bagging plant.

There is no water in the bagging process, only warm air high velocity blowers, so if you choose not to believe me, call the plant and arrange a 'show and tell'. You will come back and post as I have, that it is a bunch of crap that the water comes from the bagging plant in the coal. Simply not even close to the truth.

I do empathize with you about a jammed feed mechanism, but I'd be careful to make damned sure of what you say BEFORE you have a chance to verify it in person. No, I'm not from Missouri, but I was there in person, and I have nothing to substantiate your claims.

I am not taking sides, because that is not what any of us need to do. We all need to maintain a positive outlook about how lucky we are to have an affordable fuel source provided in America, by Americans, and the benefits of said 'bounty' stay right here and not in some off-shore account of unnamed people.

Last year it was 'no boilers available' and 'let's hate Keystoker'....not because they aren't damned good people and provide an excellent product at an fair price, just because we could. It wasn't true that they were not trying their best, it was that they had an unprecedented number or orders and you can't 'ramp-up' your production without everything falling into place in the supply chain. It didn't, and they couldn't. They did however work extended hours, purchase as much new stock and as quickly as they could. Not everyone was happy...but you already know about that...but they DID NOT ship lesser quality boilers or furnaces....and they did ship what they could. Like your Blashak comment, I also went to Keystoker to see for myself just what they really were like. News flash: They were and are great people, responsible manufacturers, who WILL NOT sacrifice quality for quantity.

Way back in 1977 in needed some parts for one of my AA 260's. I was told that they wouldn't be available for 6 weeks.
Not being a 'winer', I said OK, placed the order and went to my local Machine shop and came home with two of the most needed part replacements. Soooooo, things may not be perfect in your mind, but it is a great big world out there, and all I ask is that go check it out in person so that before we castigate anybody, we make sure the facts back up your exclamation points.

I don't work for any coal entity, but would be glad to be at a 'meet and greet' to go show folks what I've seen for myself.
The only secret not revealed is just where Jimmy Hoffa really went to............and what the Kennedy's really shut up Marilyn for.

I never had any problem with coal being wet until I bought a stoker and had to buy coal by the bag. When you buy it in bulk it dries out in your coal bin and shouldn't freeze.

Thanks for sharing your observations Lisa. It's good to know I'm not the only one who has noticed it.

Ask former Governor Jesse Ventura, I'm sure he has a theory in place for Hoffa and/or the Kennedy's!!! And he just might make some sense of many similar questions.. We should invite Ventura here to the forum and let him moderate and throw in his two sense on this topic.. As for me, my bagged Blaschak rice has lots of rock/stone in it, but, it is dry as a bone??? So, "lets talk rocks" (that by the way should really be the official name of this or another online forum) WHO... put the rocks in it????

Adam in S.E. Pa.

I am not affiliated with any coal compnay nor do I suggest you buy one coal over any other brand, I thank God every dsay that I live in coal country and have a chioce over paying the folks over seas for my energy needs.

As Whistlenut said, if you are getting wet coal from Blashak it is not the bagging plant I have been the plant on several occasions and it is always dry when it enters the bags and is stored inside before itleaves in the trucks) but rather the coal being stored outside and gaining moisture. I would recommend dumping it out somehwere near your stove to dry it out before putting it into the hopper.

whistlenut wrote:Will, I spoke about this 'bagged wet coal' issue yesterday. I am here to tell you that there is no way in hell that coal is bagged wet, stored where it can get wet and the only way water can get into it is after is leaves Blashak's custody. It is covered and shrink wrapped and then who knows what has happened to it after it leaves the bagging plant.

There is no water in the bagging process, only warm air high velocity blowers, so if you choose not to believe me, call the plant and arrange a 'show and tell'. You will come back and post as I have, that it is a bunch of crap that the water comes from the bagging plant in the coal. Simply not even close to the truth.

I do empathize with you about a jammed feed mechanism, but I'd be careful to make damned sure of what you say BEFORE you have a chance to verify it in person. No, I'm not from Missouri, but I was there in person, and I have nothing to substantiate your claims.

I am not taking sides, because that is not what any of us need to do. We all need to maintain a positive outlook about how lucky we are to have an affordable fuel source provided in America, by Americans, and the benefits of said 'bounty' stay right here and not in some off-shore account of unnamed people.

Last year it was 'no boilers available' and 'let's hate Keystoker'....not because they aren't damned good people and provide an excellent product at an fair price, just because we could. It wasn't true that they were not trying their best, it was that they had an unprecedented number or orders and you can't 'ramp-up' your production without everything falling into place in the supply chain. It didn't, and they couldn't. They did however work extended hours, purchase as much new stock and as quickly as they could. Not everyone was happy...but you already know about that...but they DID NOT ship lesser quality boilers or furnaces....and they did ship what they could. Like your Blashak comment, I also went to Keystoker to see for myself just what they really were like. News flash: They were and are great people, responsible manufacturers, who WILL NOT sacrifice quality for quantity.

Way back in 1977 in needed some parts for one of my AA 260's. I was told that they wouldn't be available for 6 weeks.
Not being a 'winer', I said OK, placed the order and went to my local Machine shop and came home with two of the most needed part replacements. Soooooo, things may not be perfect in your mind, but it is a great big world out there, and all I ask is that go check it out in person so that before we castigate anybody, we make sure the facts back up your exclamation points.

I don't work for any coal entity, but would be glad to be at a 'meet and greet' to go show folks what I've seen for myself.
The only secret not revealed is just where Jimmy Hoffa really went to............and what the Kennedy's really shut up Marilyn for.

Well I do admit to having never been to the Blaschack bagging operation nor to actually having seen a breaker in operation. So I do withdraw any suggestions whether implicit or implied that Blascak wets their coal when it is bagged. However, what I have observed with my own eyes is that the coal is VERY wet despite having been stretch wrapped and covered. All of the pallets I have bought from my dealer have been 60 bag, 1.2 ton skids. These were all intact with the original covering and stretch wrap. Now, my dealer DOES store them outside as do I and there is a possibility they have acquired some moisture while being outside. However, I have also bought coal from other mines in woven bags which were ALSO stored outside (without covering or stretch wrap). Using these bags posed no problem at all for me provided I drained them first. Usually all that was required was I open the bag and air it out for a day or so. Because Blaschak coal comes in a plastic bag whatever moisture that is in the coal when bagged or gets in there afterwards tends to stay there. Draining the bags by poking holes in the bottom still leaves it rather wet even after a day or more. To improve the drying I even took the coal and poured it into a bucket with holes drilled into the bottom and drained it again. The coal is still very wet even after a double drain. Why this is so I don't know although I would venture to say the plastic bag does hinder the drying process despite the holes in the bag (they come with a few holes from the bagger).

For me the salient issue is not where the coal acquired it's wetness but the fact that it is so difficult to dry out. In the past I have bought Blaschak pea coal in bulk for years and was very satisfied with it. I suspect if I were to buy Blaschak rice coal in bulk the same would be true again. Unfortunately I no longer have a coal bin and no longer live close enough to the mine to be able to buy just a few tons at a time. I have also tried spreading it out in the basement to dry but have run into space and wife problems.

One thing has changed though. When I first started buying Blaschak in bags it was full of rocks and large coal pieces, some golf ball sized or larger. These weren't in every bag but there were enough of them to jam my auger an average of once every couple of weeks. When I switched over to other brands this issue disappeared. My dealer and other sources say they have fixed this problem since. So far this year this seems to be true.

By the way I would hazard to guess the coal does become wet when it goes through the breaker or when it is stored loose. Some separation processes use water to take out things like twigs and rocks which have different densities. Whether or not this is done at the breaker I would not know. I've also been told the coal is stored on the ground at some point which is where it acquired wood bits, rocks, and so on. Again, I haven't seen this with my own eyes so it's only hearsay.

One other thing I will say is I have noticed Alaska no longer has the 140 auger on it's website. I don't know if this means they no longer manufacture it but would suspect this might be so. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the auger unit has become less popular due to issues with the auger jamming and the fact it is very sensitive to wet coal.

Not trying to start an argument, just stating what I have seen.
Will

Just one more thing: I accept implicitly everything whistlenut and Matthaus have said about the Blaschak operation. They have been there and I have not. What I have tried to convey is my observations and I apologize in advance if my conclusions overstep their bounds.

Will

whistlenut wrote:Will, I spoke about this 'bagged wet coal' issue yesterday. I am here to tell you that there is no way in hell that coal is bagged wet, stored where it can get wet and the only way water can get into it is after is leaves Blashak's custody. It is covered and shrink wrapped and then who knows what has happened to it after it leaves the bagging plant.

There is no water in the bagging process, only warm air high velocity blowers, so if you choose not to believe me, call the plant and arrange a 'show and tell'. You will come back and post as I have, that it is a bunch of crap that the water comes from the bagging plant in the coal. Simply not even close to the truth.

I do empathize with you about a jammed feed mechanism, but I'd be careful to make damned sure of what you say BEFORE you have a chance to verify it in person. No, I'm not from Missouri, but I was there in person, and I have nothing to substantiate your claims.

Gee, whistlenut, what burned your biscuits? This was a simple inquiry about other burners' experiences with the packaging of one brand of coal. I didn't happen to see your posting on "bagged wet coal" yesterday and no, I haven't been to the breaker to see their operations but I have used their product for the last 3 years and I'm telling you I have noticed more fines and more damp to wet coal coming out of the "sealed" bags this year. I know for a fact that my dealer stored this coal under the original shrink wrap. I buy the entire pallet and I cut it off. I know for a fact that I store my coal at my house under cover. I know that the bags of coal are sealed tight at the breaker but some how when I open them they are wet. If I were talking about one or two bags, I'd think there was a leak some where along their journey to me but having every bag I've opened so far of my 3 tons wet? I’ve read on the forum the breaker process involves rinsing the coal to remove the dirt. You say “There is no water in the bagging process, only warm air high velocity blowers.” What is the purpose of those fans? Maybe they are supposed to dry the coal before it gets put in a bag and maybe the blowers aren’t doing the job as well as they should be. Or maybe they were down for the day my coal was bagged. Who knows? Anyway, when I put everything together that I know I reach the same conclusion that Will does - the coal is wet going into the bags. Yes, I could be wrong but I don't think so given what I've seen and know from my end.

Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend, it seems that the cold weather is finally going to get here and even stick around for a while, like until April.

All bagged coal is wet, that is just the deal. Blame it on the pallet cap and wrap IF it was not bagged wet.

OK Murdoc, let's go on a 'rock hunt'! I hate to say it, but having bought 24 tons loads for 37 years now, I've never had a rock issue. In fact, I've never had any quality issues. I don't feel lucky, what with only three fingers left on each hand, one leg sawed off, bullet fragments, one eye, burns over 60%..........and this was during the first test-fire of a hand fed!

Anything is possible, I just haven't seen it....and I'm looking every day. I don't know if having 12" augers with 6" flights helps or not....could be. (could be just kidding, too!) I would be lying if I told you I don't have a screen, but it would also be a lie if I told you I have used it. My bulk is dumped either on a concrete pad, or on an asphalt pad. I get acorns, and a few sticks, but no rocks. I hate to compare this to the folks who seem to find a mouse in a soda bottle,........but WTF! If you have a hand fed, and don't burn more than a bag a day, screen it every bag. I have 6 to 10 ton bins...it would be costly and near impossible to screen that way. AA's, AHS's and EFM's are quite forgiving.....especially big EFM's with the bigger flites.
AA's could care less, as does the AHS's. Don't have a Keystoker, but hear good things about them also.
Like they say: If you can't play with the big dawgs, you had better stay on the porch!
Just kiddin' buddy, but I sure would be screening if it is an issue.

Like I've noted before, I had many issues with Kimmels bagged nut coal having BOULDERS ... not just rocks ... BOULDERS! The biggest was the size of a cantaloupe -- no joke! That was my first year burning. Found mud balls (that was almost as big as the boulder!), rocks, cable, wire, & lots & lots of wood. The last 3 years with Kimmels, & didn't get one rock at all, but plenty of wood. Was hard to detect too, because all the fines stuck to it & made it blend in with the coal ..... and that was the other issue: widely varying sizes in the nut bags. I had some nut, but mostly pea, buck & fines. Plus last year I went through more coal than I thought possible, without a whole lot of heat.

So far I've only burnt 9 bags of Blashak, & there''s only been 2 small pieces of wood ...... wood burns, so that's ok with me.

So I guess this goes to show that it can happen to any brand.

I don't mean to offend anyone, or say anything other that what I have seen myself. Yes, I have gotten black water baths every time I handle a bag of coal. Do I get upset? You damned right I do. I also will be the first to admit if I erred making a comment or post, but guys, I have been there and seen it myself. As recently as last weekend. The blowers are so powerful that they will blow you off balance.....even though many of you are already off-balance (cheap shot, I know).
I do hear you about the issue....however I did pick up 3 tons of Blashak Rice from a guys baseent who sold the home and the next owner "Mr Greenie " went to corn pellets. He and his wife did NOT want to increase the carbon footprint
they already have. I bought the coal for 150/ton...50 lb bags...in a basement. Lots of bags to handle throwing them UP the stairs. Not a GD drop of water from 136 bags. None broke.....a successful trip. 203 miles round trip, so 88 dollars in fuel, tolls.....I'm in it for...no labor for 4 bucks a DRY bag. That Santa on the bags even made me smile!
Now last year I 'rescued 7 tons of rice from another company that had been stored outside for 8 years. Bags were rotting away, under plywood and a tarp. Dryer than a popcorn f**t!!!! However, between the time I rescued it and burned it it picked up some moisture because I did not cover it well enough and my tarps blew off twice in huge rain storms. I got the black spew for 350 bags ( thawed out frozen bags in heated garage and shared the wonderful black shower for too long.)
So Paulie, it is dry when it is packaged, dry when it leaves and I have no answers for where it picks up moisture.
I've not been able to go to a meet and greet, but would look forward to seeing faces to associate with screen names, and go to whatever bagging operation will have us to show you I am not deaf, dumb, or blind!

I buy in bulk primarily and will tell you that there have been many frozen coal piles before I smartened up and heated the storage area. I remember wet coal and fines issues with AA's, none with AHS's(different auger approach) EFM's(technically EBM, they really have one hot air unit..and it's a good one, too.) The AA ones drove me freaking nuts....water and coal fines make a sticky paste that plugs every damned auger I've ever seen. Murphy's Law says that a malfunction will not occur in daylight hours on a weekday, only after midnight of a holiday weekend when nothing is open, not even a 24/7 Dunkin-Donuts.
Enough people pi**ed of on this topic......better get to the Meds....quickly. Wonder if the baro's at .02 or .09?
Perhaps my shorts are too tight Tiger...... I heard Elin has sent Lorraina Bobbett a round trip 'Vacation Trip Ticket'.......Try a Tesla tiger, that Escalade isn't fast enough...or safe enough. Damned airbags must have been defective....or they switched to 'fools gold' sensor tips. Did anyone see the NHRA Sponsored Castrol Top Fuel Golf Cart?
0 to infuriated in 1.3 seconds......Stoker Scott has been furiously working on an A-dust model.....but his bagged coal was too wet to get it to fire up. He calls it the '0 to 2500 PSI A-Dust Stealth Greens Monster'. It can be driven only by a woman, no man can handle that much rage and not explode. I know...back to the 'home', I saw the Suburbans drive by slowly...

My 2 cents... The driver that delivered my 23 tons of Summit coal said most coal is washed. In fact they credited me for 1200 pounds of water. The water was running out the back of the truck as he was driving in and I had giant puddles on the tarp for weeks

Let me offer another possible explanation for the wet bagged coal. Any material wrapped in plastic will hasten evaporation. Changing temperatures and ambient humidity will cause condensation to form in an enclosed environment. Coal or many other natural materials don't change temps as quickly as air temp. Bagged coal or for that matter, bagged salt, will trap and gather more and more moisture, especially if it was exposed to summer and fall heating/cooling and humidity cycles.

The solution would be to open the bags a few days before using it and letting it air dry or buy winter bagged coal due to drier winter air. Hope this helps.