Finishing up my second heating using coal....I thought

Last year at this time, I was finishing up the last of 2 tons of Nut coal in my efm WCB, (December through February). I switched over to wood, but it wasn't as easy to keep the house at a constant 70-75 where we like it, through the months of March and April.

This year was a warmer winter and I'm almost done with 3600# of Nut, (December through February)and have been switching to wood so I can prolong about 300# of remaining coal. The temperature in the house is hovering around 70 and tomorrow I'm going to get another half ton of coal. It's too soon to be freezing in my own house.

Chris, congrats to at least admitting it! Scott says there is a seven step program for chronically addicted, but cheer up, we only have enough coal for another 250 years right now, so you COULD outgrow the addiction. Can you imagine what oil and propane will be next season if diesel is 5.00+/gal....OMG!! Those young persons at your house must be darned happy dad has the addiction, too! Nice to hear from you!

We had 3 little ones at one time, but those are my grandkids.

The conversion from wood to coal is like giving up mothers milk.... it's s slow transition, but you don't really remember and you never go back.

There is no comparison to coal vs. wood in a hand-fired boiler. Wood provides short fires...try to burn it clean and the boiler overheats, try to control the fire and it produces creosote. My Itasca boiler would hold a considerable amount of wood, and if I was lucky it would still have a bed of coals in the morning. When I used to reload it in the morning it would really roar to get the house back up to temperature! The smoke & vapor plume above the chimney was impressive, but hardly a sign of efficiency. Nut coal was a different story, the boiler kept the house toasty overnight on all but the below zero days, and after a few days the creosote in the boiler and chimney started to flake off. There is still nothing better than a stoker, but anthracite in a hand-fed boiler is a good way to split the difference.

Just went to the yard and got my coal in the trailer. Price went up to $199 a ton.

I got a ton today. 261, delivered.

Freddy wrote:The conversion from wood to coal is like giving up mothers milk.... it's s slow transition, but you don't really remember and you never go back.

Sorry to burst your bubble there Freddy. I was raised on mother's milk.

Maybe that is why I keep staring at them. I just can't help myself. I'm looking for a free meal......



Rick

MOOOOOO...
Not to mama...
But to baby momma...

$199??? I just payed $374/ton! still cheaper then everything else INCLUDING wood. I didnt get into that debate, I have my own land, my own skidder, etc. My time is more valuable then that.

Kevin

I'm with Rick!