What Type of Coal to Burn?

[nightsky02]

I have fired my A-3 several times using hardwood. I tried to burn coal that I obtained from a steel mill. It would not ignite, even using a Mapp gas torch, and with hot wood embers beneath it.
Where can I get the coal I need, and what type is it?
I`ve researched this and have gotten several conflicting answers.
I`d like to buy something locally, since cost is an issue.

Thanx,
Ron

[Harlock]

I'm gonna guess that the steel mill coal is like the cement plant coal we get here for free - hard, bituminous coal from Ohio. I think that's what they use to make coke for the steel industry.

The stuff is real hard to light, but once it's lit burns real clean and hot.

I'm gonna also guess that it's real hard to build a starter fire in such a small firebox that can get hot enough to ignite it. I learned how hard it was to light coal the first time I did it - we cheated and used an oxy-acetelene torch to get it going. I would never do that in a delicate little boiler like the A3's, this was the boiler on the big 3 3/4" shay I posted about. The next time we used pine sticks soaked in Jet-A, which is equivalent to kerosene. Most people use pine sticks soaked overnight in kerosene to start a coal fire. Not sure but you could also try charcoal as a starter. With the sticks soaked in jet fuel, we got a roaring fire real quick, and that was hot enough to catch the coal, which was self-igniting after that.

Also make sure you have enough of a starter fire, that was our mistake the first time, we didn't have nearly enough wood to generate sizable heat.

I think what you need is a softer coal, which would have a lower BTU value but would be easier to ignite. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I think you definitely do not want anthracite.

Another thing you might try with your existing coal is break it into smaller pieces, it's much easier to ignite than larger chunks.

Where is 'locally' for you? I know of a place in the San Francisco Bay Area where you can buy it in 50lb bags...

Currently I'm trying to arrange a group buy of bituminous coal for California live steam groups.

[Ed Hume]

Ron,

Do you have any blacksmith hobbyist friends? They may have some decent coal and/or know a local supplier. I bought a 5 gallon pail on e-bay for around $15 including shipping. I think it was Pocahontas Seam #3. Try to contact some other live steamers in your area.

You can crush up charcoal briquettes and soak them in lamp oil, and that will be a better fire starter than wood. Be sure to have an adequate draft. You can also use a propane torch to start the coal, and that will supply its own draft.

Ed

[JohnH]

Ron, As the others have said, start with a bed of charcoal soaked in charcoal starting fluid, then add the coal a little at a time once the fire is going pretty good, and I even soak the first few shovels of coal with the starter fluid too...
I bought my coal from Ebay. I did a check today, and there isn't any on there right now, but you can order from the website....Here's the link... Good Luck; John
www.penncoal.com/wst_page5.html