New to Forum...Source for Rice Coal

We bought a house last summer that has a coal burner (rice size) in it. We utilized it as our primary source of heat this past winter and went through 2 tons of coal from December till today (we ran out today). We were getting bulk coal by the ton from a local place. The first ton was okay but the second ton was dustier, wetter, and not as efficient burning.

I'm looking to find a supplier for rice coal for bags. We would love to get 2-4 tons at one time as we have a trailer that can haul up over 5 tons.

We're located in NW Ohio. Willing to travel if the price is low enough to offset the gas costs.

Well,L.O.,Welcome to The Coal Board ! You've hit the Beach at the right time of the Year! Starting to look ahead now gives you plenty of time to make No-Rush Decisions and examine many Options. For openers,you'll be getting hammered on Safety. Do you have working,known age Carbon Monoxide Detectors in place? No Combustible floor coverings to set a hot ashpan on? Stuff like that.... We'll also be asking about your floor plan and what type of chimney you have.... If you can take pictures digitally and post them here,we can help you identify your Stoker and get you squared away with a manual and all the info you could tolerate. As far as a new rice coal source,there may be some options. Are you along the I-75 Corridor south of Toledo? If you feel comfortable,fill in an approximate location in your profile. That helps when Folks are trying to give you a new source for rice. We won't try to find where you live and send a pile of Traveling Salesmen or some choice Stalker-Weirdos! We've started to attract more Folks from Western Ohio,Michiana and Mid to Northern Michigan. And finally,please,remember that a question never asked doesn't get answered. We're here to help ! Summer gets slower here,so be understanding that we'll find answers,but it won't be as quick-Maybe! Glad you've come in through our Door,it's Your Door too. One last thing,check out Our Google Custom Search Bar in the upper right hand corner of the page. It's the key that unlocks the Treasure Trove of everything discussed here. A Ton of Info ! Thanx for joining,and don't be a Stranger !

We're in Swanton Ohio, so not far from I75.

We have the manual for the stove, I'm just drawing a blank on the manufacturer. The previous owners of the house did a horrible job at maintaining the stove and doing the recommended maintenance so we've had a service guy come out twice so far who has been great to work with. We've replaced the feed motor and we have the CO detector (?) to replace once it's cooled down and cleaned out.

As for CO detectors in the house, there are four working ones. Two downstairs (1 plug in near the floor, 1 battery operated on the ceiling-both by the stairs) and two upstairs (1 plug in and 1 battery operated one), so we should be covered there. We know they work as when the guy came to do maintenance on it, he had the door open and the detectors all started going off.

The house was built in 1862 and still has what appears to be original floors or at least wood floors made to look aged and original. There's nothing combustible around it and we've taught our 3 year old twins not to throw anything near the stove. But the do like to stand in front of it when they come inside from the cold!!

The company that did the maintenance sells the bagged rice coal (the guy that we deal with actually has the same exact model we have running in his house) but he quoted us a price around $370 a pallet but his pallets are 1.2 tons he said. If we can stock up this summer, he said prices are slightly better. We figure we have our tandem trailer that can carry multiple pallets so if we can find a place that offers a better price, we can pick it up rather than pay delivery charge.

Seeing where you are located, even a Michigan location for coal may work for you.

Welcome LisaOhio I don't have a stoker or burn rice for that matter but as Hambden Bob pointed out the crowd is thinning as the weather improves so a hello is in order. Coal is awesome and keeping what I call locals (Americans) working is awesome. You just made a few hundred immediate friends and the other thousands are always close by! Post some pictures of the appliance whenever possible to clarify any issues, it sounds like you and yours don't mind getting your hands dirty which saves money and causes education which stays with you so you can help those following you.
Mike

There's nothing combustible around it and we've taught our 3 year old twins not to throw anything near the stove. But the do like to stand in front of it when they come inside from the cold!!

Are your twins boys or girls? If boys hang on. My son grew up around our Buderus hand fed. The 1st Christmas of soon to be expected Christmas cards, featured the little devil in front of it in what kids that can't move much sit in.
Then came his curious years He had one of those balls with a handle you push around and the balls move like a popcorn machine inside, do not know if they still exist no grandchildren yet Well he thought to drag that across the glass of the coal stove, left a nice black streak that burned and smelled bad. He panicked threw the toy behind the couch and did what he did best, like nothing ever happened. We smelled the burning plastic, found the toy and the rest is history. He is now 29 years old and his girlfriends problem She just got a house and his fun will begin, really it is all good and I am very proud of them both. Maybe a Keystoker KA-6 in the near future, kind of like a coal grandkid

They're both boys. We do have one of those screens or shields (not sure what they're called) around it so they can't reach the stove themselves. And they know the stove is hot and anytime a toy gets close they cry out "oh no! Toy is going to get burned!"

Its good you are teaching your children to be cautious, I have two little girls and the oldest was very, very stubborn about wanting to touch the hot stove. Long story short she touched it...she quickly learned that is not good. After that she would stays away from the stove if there is a fire in it