Introduce Yourself

SheepDog wrote:To start the trend I have not seen a price list of what coal is going for now! Any comments on what it cost in your area (or mine if you know) would help in my research! As well as if it is cheaper to buy during the summer months etc.!!

Check the .. Price check...What's the going price in your area for a ton? thread. It's stickied like this one.

Hello all,
Forgive my lack of knowledge of how this all works(forums and all), but here goes.

My name is Joel I'm 35 a Mechanical Engineering Tech, married to my wonderful wife/best friend, have 2 great kids, 2 cats, drive a 21 year old beat up diesel pick up truck, me in a phrase-work hard, play hard, good beer, good food, podcasting , lots of of ammo ,and real hot- cheap heat!
I do a podcast(thats internet radio for those who dont know) @ http://www.radioqrm.com you'll get a bit more insight on who I am there give it a listen.

First off This Forum is GREAT! and its members have taught me so much about heating with coal that I'm picking up my first coal stove this Friday. A Russo c55 for what I think is a good price $100.00 the grates aren't warped some surface rust on the top but it appears fully functional.
I want to connect it/put in front of and vent to a masonry fireplace/chimney which is in great shape. My thoughts were to remove the fireplace flu/dampener completely put a block off plate of Steel and seal it to the front of of the entire opening of the fireplace (except a 6" hole to except the flu pipe coming out of the back of the stove). I grew up heating with wood and both the stove's were hooked up to fireplaces in the same fashion, But they were wood stoves NOT coal will this work for my coal stove to be?
Any helpful insight will be much appreciated
Thanks in advance

Joel welcome to the forum, this thread is for giving a little information about yourself. If you want some advice start a new thread, it will get more attention.

Hi, I have been lurking for a year or so and finally registered. After reading the topics and discussions I have decided to switch to coal and keep my propane furnace as a backup. I live in south-western NY near Wellsville up around 2300' elevation so it gets cold here. I own a motorcycle salvage yard for vintage foreign bikes from the 70's and 80's, I have a fiancee , 2 daughters age 6 and 8 and a future step daughter 9 and a future step son 12, 1 dog, too many cats, many mice but they were here before me.

e.alleg wrote: too many cats, many mice but they were here before me.

You get a coal stove those cats will become more useless,

Pictures courtesy of WYN, easily the most humorous ones posted to date.

Hello,all. I'm a farmer in the Lehigh Valley area of eastern PA, 45 minutes south of the hard coal fields. Been burning wood/oil for years, then taught myself anthracite coal with a gretzy (but free!) old Surdiac. The wife, kids,cats, and I loved the heat from the coal-burner, and it was bunches better than the woodstove and oil furnace to heat our 1799 stone house. Problem was, it was only big enough to do part of the 1st floor, and then at close-to-wide-open. Bought a 2 year old Magnum Stoker this past summer, and moved the Surdiac out to the shop 'till I burn out the last set of grates. I've gotten a lot of great info from this site, naturally I found it "after" teaching myself how a stoker goes, but still found tons of good tips here! Thank You, I now have ideas for getting the Mag running more right for next winter!

Hello, My name is Barbara we have five children ages 43 to 26 and 4 grandsons. This being our first year burning anthracite. We bought 3 leisure line stokers. my son has one we have one and one in our business. We live in upstate newyork. I am on the forum alot reading all the different ideas all you folks have. Thanks for the input. We are in an old farm house and we certainly love the stove. Have saved lots of money this winter. My only down fall is boy are my hardwood floors cold when ya get out of bed in the morning. guess thats why when we were young everyone got slipppers for gifts. as most people heated with wood. And my biggest complaint is i could not get that blinken window clean on my stove. I tried everything. I do and can fill the stove and empty the ashes. Most days my hubby does it but when i know he is going to be extra tired i try to share the load with him. Hey thats what life is about, making someones load a little lighter. no matter what the case may be. That being said I am thankful for this forum. glad to meet you folks. Oh and Happy Easter!!!!!!

Coal heat has created a hobby for my kitty! :thebigsqueeze:

Ah yes, warm basement + open cellar door = SNACKTIME

I just found this site and registered after reading some great info by members....Thanks!!! I was wondering if anyone is familiar with using coal like the type that floats up on the beaches here in Alaska. I live in Homer and, as many do here, can drive on the beach and pick up all the coal I can carry. I began burning it last winter in my wood stove and enjoyed the long burn time over using just wood. I'm particularly concerned with the salt residue and wonder if I should wash it before burning.

Thanks again, any additional advise will be greatly appreciated.......

Hi, my name is Mike, and I have been coal and ashes free for over 20 years...until 2 weeks ago.
Grew up in Northampton, Pa...parents had an EFM boiler, Dad was disabled, my chores consisted of shoveling coal, taking out the ashes, and cleaning the entire furnace at least once a year. Joined the Navy and got the heck outta there away from that coal bin and furnace (they switched to gas after I left). 20 plus years later I move back to PA...colder region of PA...oil furnace...oil prices...finally decided to get a coal stoker (Keystoker) to help us out...go figure. Thanks to a couple friends (Bill, Roger, Terry) for educating and motivating me and the wife. Thanks to Bill for showing me this site. Been here reading quite a bit the past few weeks trying to get ready to burn for the first time. Good site and from the posts I can tell there is good people here too.

Retired Navy Chief
Wife and best friend is Tracy
2 kids...Jill and Sami
my off time is mostly dedicated to them, helping friends and neighbors, and of course all the work that comes with home ownership.

Hello, New member and wanted to thank everyone for all the information. I'm new to coal. Purchased a Harman Magnafire insert for the fireplace. Should have it in this next week or so. I purchased it used but it looks new, no discoloration at all anywhere from burning, no cracked fire bricks, looks like new gasket rope. The blower works the way it should also. Anyway I purchased it for $700.00 I hope to see my oil use drop to near nothing if I can learn how to operate it properly. Again Thank You all and I'll be reading and asking questions as time goes on. Wayne Parker

Hi all my name is Dennis, and I'm addicted to cheap heat...
I was raised burning wood my whole life and you would have thought my father was giving up a kidney when ever he had to give a dollar to the oil man. I’ve always burned wood and my brother does wood pellets and corn.
I just bought an 1860 farm house and there is a Harman Magnum Stoker in the basement. It hasn't be used in about 5-7 years. I just got it serviced and my wife painted it and put new glass in it. We ran some duct work and this weekend I'm picking up my first ton of coal. My wife and I are stoked (pun intended) compared to wood this should be effortless. I'm sure I'll have questions.
As for me as you can tell from my name Jeeps are our passion, and driving them were they were designed to go. I have two kids 6 year old boy and a 3 year old girl. 1 wife age unknown and I'm 32. I'm a mechanical designer by trade and a republican by necessity.
I think this forum is great and anything we can do to keep from sending our hard earned money to terrorist I'm all for it.

welcome to the forum, you're going to love burning rocks.

My name is Dave .Came here to learn as much as possible about whats out there before dropping dollars on a new boiler . So far getting a lot of info . Burned coal a few yrs ago now going back to it .Great site