What temperature is a coal fire?

With my coal the T250 temperature is 2320 F, I think that is about when the ash melts into clinkers.
Intial defromation or Red is 2150 F, not sure what that means but I have seen red coal fire beds that seamed soft when poked.
I think a blower or real good draft is needed to get that last 200 degrees.
http://www.usibelli.com/Coal_data.asp

I agree with Lisa, find an inexpensive coal stove and pipe it into the exsisting flue. Having the fire in a box, which allows good control of combustion air and burn rate, and provides six sides of the box to radiate heat to the room, all will be much more efficient at heating the place. And safer too, an open grate requires a lot of open draft to pull the coal fumes out of the house, which really cools the house from infiltration of cold outside air.

Take a look at the Favorites' forum for the thread: pictures of stoves.. lots of ideas and instalations there.

Greg L

cheers guys, will bear it in mind!