How to Burn Anthracite Coal
With the recent concern over home heating costs, anthracite coal is re-surging in popularity. For many consumers, a greener option such as natural gas or solar power is not yet affordable or accessible.
No longer the dirty process of yesteryear's bituminous coal, anthracite is proving itself to be a viable option to other heat sources. Because there is a curve in learning how to burn anthracite coal, the following is a guide that can help.
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Instructions
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To start an anthracite coal fire, open your coal stove, or furnace, dampers and ash door and begin a fire with rolled newspaper and kindling wood. Another option is fire starter cubes or coal mice. Be sure they are appropriate, and safe, for your stove. Read, and follow, directions on their use.
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Once the kindling is burning well, add hardwood. Hardwood will burn at a higher temperature and anthracite coal requires a good hot bed of coals to ignite.
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Keep your stove drafts open during loading and when your coals are hot and ready; add anthracite. Add two shovelfuls, distributing evenly as best you can, then close the stove or furnace door.
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As the anthracite coal fire progresses, you should have several inches of red coals. When this happens, continue adding shovelfuls of coal until it reaches the top of the firebrick. This will seem like a lot, but figuring how to burn anthracite coal is an act of learning how to get the heat level just right. Too little coal and you won't generate enough heat. Too much and you'll likely smother your fire.
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Once your coal is fully ignited and burning well, close your ash door and adjust the dampers for your coal stove to control heat output.
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For further questions on how to burn anthracite coal; google the term: 'anthracite coal forums' which will bring you to several of the top forums with helpful suggestions for the model of coal stove or furnace that you have.
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Tips & Warnings
Once a coal stove has a fire going, it's best to keep it going. Anthracite is easier to keep going then it is to let out and have to restart.
Ask people you know for tips on heating your home with anthracite coal. Remember, it is a different process than that of traditional bituminous coal.
