Coal in Wisconsin

 
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userdk
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 1:11 pm

I'm looking for a place to buy coal suitable to burn in an outdoor multifuel furnace, near Eau Claire Wisconsin. Preferably by the ton.
I'm ignorant as to what kind of coal would work best. Any input would be welcome.


 
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Post by Sting » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 1:30 pm

There is a long thread running about Tractor Supply

 
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 1:36 pm

userdk, Can you post pics of the OWB, pics of the grate system ? For anthracite coal you need to have some sort of shaker grates & by the way , Welcome to the forum.

 
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Post by warminmn » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 2:36 pm

There is a man advertises on Craigslist across from Winona that sells bit for 200/ton. Its a smaller size so don't go buying a ton of it until you try a small amount first, like a few hundred pounds. Ive got some of it. Its decent quality but small and may or may not burn for you. As for anthracite, if your stove will burn it, you are within driving distance of a couple dealers that are about 300/ton. or as Sting mentioned if you can talk TSC into shipping some to you it is 250/ton. On the eastern side of WI there are people selling other kinds of bit. Or ND.

 
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 3:06 pm

Here's a pic of the grates.

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Post by franco b » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 3:21 pm

Those grates appear not to rock so there is no way to clear the ash other than resorting to some form of poker from underneath.

 
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 3:37 pm

franco b, I thought that at first too,i kept looking at them even after you posted. I think they might actually be a 2 part grate that rocks,the pic gives the illusion that each grate is 1 piece . Anthracite could work ,but the overall design of the firebox is a big compromise. I wouldn't even like that design for burning wood,there is too much of a lip along each side that will hold ash & in the case of burning coal would hold too much unburnt coal. It is one of those poor designs that no matter what is burned you will have to play with it,fiddle with it,fuss with it,etc.... The side firebricks are laying down too far as opposed to standing more vertical to help the fuel,coal in particular to slide down to the grates. It can be done but I am happy I have what I have. At least the OWB that we used for the past 8 yrs had no lip along the sides at all,so ash was easy to rake down.


 
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 4:48 pm

Yes they shake. Some Heatmaster SS videos on youtube if you're interested. Here's a link to the write up.http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=heatmaster ... 6700988657

 
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 6:01 pm

I saw no mention of anthracite coal,they do mention that the grates are designed to work well with lump coal.

 
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Post by coaledsweat » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 6:29 pm

That firebox would not work well with anthracite.

 
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 7:13 pm

lump coal is cheaper anyway isn't it?

 
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 8:02 pm

Here's a better picture. bottom of the firebox is actually level with the grate, and there is no firebrick involved. What you see in the picture above is just steel. Forced air draft is fed from below.

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Post by coaledsweat » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 8:24 pm

userdk wrote:Here's a better picture. bottom of the firebox is actually level with the grate, and there is no firebrick involved. What you see in the picture above is just steel. Forced air draft is fed from below.
That is all good. The problem is the shape, being round like that. You will only get the center to burn with anthracite. It likes a deep bed and air from below, directly below. We have had a few threads about anthracite in OWBs and the track record is abysmal. Bituminous is more wood like in how it burns, best to go with that. If it could burn anthracite, I'm sure the manufacturer would wave that flag with a marching band.

 
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Post by userdk » Mon. Dec. 01, 2014 11:11 pm

Actually, Heatmaster has a version specifically for coal. It still has the shaker grates and ash pan, but has a taller, narrower fire box, geared toward better performance burning coal. It's still a bit of a prototype though.

 
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Post by windyhill4.2 » Tue. Dec. 02, 2014 11:31 am

userdk, which model do you have ? how many yrs have you used it or have you just purchased it & are looking to go with coal instead of wood ?A round fire pot works best when it is standing vertical, with anthracite anyway,as anthracite loves a deep bed of coals.


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