Long Island Coal - Bethlehem?

Sorry for reviving this thread. Hopefully my fellow Long Island neighbors could chime in, I was wondering where Bethlehem gets their coal from...brand? I've been burning for about a month now and notice a significant difference in quality from Blaschak. I normally burn Blaschak but thought I would try a different brand this year. As they say, why fix it if it ain't broke...so true. I should've stuck with Blaschak coal. As mentioned in an earlier post I've been getting a rather large amount of ash from this coal. Heat output seems to be great but I am drowning in ash. Temperatures have been seasonally higher this year than last so fuel consumption is down a bit, but ash isn't (although I don't really weigh it). Odd thing is this coal seems to burn quicker than Blaschak! I seemed to get longer burns form Blaschak Coal.

The reason for this post is to vent, I hope someone is listening... . I woke up today to a fire that was on the verge of dying. The fire was about 10 hours old and completely ashed over. I honestly counted a handful of coals glowing, barley enough to warm up a cup of tea. Stove temperature was down to about 125* which is low for my setup. The stove was burning in the 400* range so I should have had an easy 12+ hour burn. I didn't think I would be able to save it, but almost 2 hours later she was glowing nicely. Just the right combination of shaking, poking and adding coal! Just trying to get through this season... . I would actually feel better if others would chime in with their bad coal experience to help ease the pain... .

I hope the coal is the same or better compared to Rella. We are trying Bethlehem because Rella had a two week waiting period. In fact, Bethlehem gave us a few bags to hold us over to the delivery without charging us extra. Great service for sure!

Are there large price differences between bulk and bagged on the Island? Landscape companies are typically the ones equipped to handle unloading of bulk and bagged TT units, hence using them to deliver locally. The choice of suppliers of coal might not make some happy, so the only way to control that is to be proactive and get together about how you want your winter's supply to be handled. Many times price is the ruling factor for buyers, however I never have 'shopped' for price, but I sure do about quality. Once it is on the ground a few hundred miles for coal country, your options are not many. Suck it up and don't do it again. I have cleaned out coal bins in the Woodstock, VT and the Connecticut River Corridor area that are a hundred years old, and some of the coal near the bottom, was as well. Yes, it burns better, less ash, more heat, but who knows who, what mine, or when it was delivered. Dozens of 20 ton bins at old farm houses....not touched since the 50's. You guys ARE the market, and understand there is not much profit and a LOT of aggravation with dealing with the public....yes, that means YOU, also. Do you want to purchase a 5....10...20 year supply at once? Some folks have 20,000 rounds at home.......food for a year.......just asking what the price of your security is worth. Too bad there isn't an old depot that could be used for coal, pellets, etc. close to all of you.
One thought is that if you don't burn more than 5 tons a year, bagged works out well......in handling, storage and convenience. However those who have a great delivery spot, easy access, and no landscape issues, bulk is fine, too.

The coal on Long Island is high priced. I stopped by Rella to buy bagged coal to hold me over, wife says they wanted $11.50 per bag, as you buy more the price goes down. Bethlehem bagged us a few bags for free to hold us over. Anyway, bulk is about $313 per ton. I'm hoping to make the drive to PA next year after my boiler is set up and get a better coal for a better price. I may be in the market for a dump trailer shortly. I took a look at the uhaul trailers, but my comfort level was feeling good with a 4 hour trip. That is squeezing 6 tons of coal in my truck and trailer. Do others make a 4 hour trip to PA? Is it worth it?

You might be wise to get together with some local guys who burn also......You would probably haul at night coming home......traffic could be a bummer. I'll PM you with so more thoughts........ Remember that sand and gravel companies have loading scales, as do concrete companies, asphalt plants........ perhaps you can follow that lead. More than one way to skin a " you fill it in...." If you bought bagged, all sizes could be on the same truck or trucks.