How a Coal Stove Works
Before the discovery of electricity, people used wood, coal, and other materials to heat their homes. Coal, one of the nation's most abundant fuel sources, still warms homes today. Using and maintaining a coal stove requires a little work. However, depending on your location, a coal burning stove may be cheaper than a stove that uses alternative heating sources. Does this Spark an idea?
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19th Century Stoves
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In the 1800s, coal stoves provided heat to millions of homes. Many homes relied exclusively on coal for heating purposes. Barbara Freese, author of "Coal: A Human History," notes an 1899 experiment that showed a remarkable loss in human productivity. The study determined that it took about one hour per day to manage a coal stove. Typical tasks that a stove owner performed included transporting coal from its origin to the stove, disposing of ashes, and simply keeping the fire going. Lighting a coal stove also consumed a significant amount of time.
Modern Coal Stoves
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Coal is an efficient fuel. Burning it in a stove produces more heat than burning wood or pellets. Coal stoves have two essential components: a grate to hold the coal and an ash pan to collect the ashes. Once coal begins burning, it creates significant amounts of ashes, about 10 times as much ash as wood. These ashes go into the stove's ash pan. By using a larger ash pan, you can spend less time emptying the ashes.
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Coal Stove Types
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Coal comes in multiple grades. Anthracite, also called "hard coal," is a good grade to use. Most modern coal stoves use anthracite. Two types of stoves exist. Regular stoves work like wood stoves; both require chimneys, and both use natural airflow to sustain the burning process. Striker stoves, on the other hand, are simpler to operate and require less owner intervention. They automate processes such as feeding coal into the stove and handling ash removal. Some striker stoves also have timers and other devices.
Considerations
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Because of coal's flammable nature, follow a few rules to ensure safe stove operation. It's important to let a licensed heating technician who understands coal stoves install one. Review the owner's manually carefully, and follow its guidelines. The manual will also tell you the type of anthracite coal to use for the stove. Erect small barriers around the stove if you have animals or children that could burn themselves. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are also critical devices to install. Check them often to verify that they're working, and replace their batteries regularly.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit wood burning stove image by Paula Gent from Fotolia.com
