Has anyone switched from wood to coal ?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Chrism

Feeling the Heat
Oct 8, 2009
326
Eastern PA
Im thinking about it but dont know enough about coal . I have an isle royale an love the stove but splitting wood takes away from fishing time !!! Pros and cons of coal ??
 
Pros:

Thermostat!
Two days worth of fuel, one bag in one hand, one bag in the other, just grab 'em by the ears and away you go.
Easy to store.
Inexpensive, compares well even with 'free' wood unless you've got a good crop of kids willing to earn their keep.
Much safer compared to felling trees, running chainsaws, and swinging mauls.

Cons:

Ash, lots of it.
In my case stove was much louder than I would like.
 
One pro is that I live in pa a 20 min drive my mason dump is filled.
 
If your in PA and close to a supply coal is easier and cheaper, I know my cousin had one and didn't like the soot but it may have been the stove as it was a long time ago (80's).
 
My father in law still burns coal in an old VC from 1978. In the shoulder season he burns wood, and in the dead of winter he burns coal. Much steadier heat and less maintenance than my wood burning set up. I love burning wood, though. I'm a pyro. However if I had to switch, I would switch to a coal stove over a pellet stove. I've had good experiences at nepacrossroads.com forum. Another very helpful group.
 
Is venting the same I have selkirk chimney pipe and smoke pipe . Do I just buy a coal stove and connect it to the existing set up I have my isle royale hooked up to ?
 
Also I see conversion kits to change a stove to wood / coal wonder if I can do that to my isle royale ??
 
Also I see conversion kits to change a stove to wood / coal wonder if I can do that to my isle royale ??

I am not an expert, but you have a premium product in the Isle Royale. I think best bet is selling the IR, and buy a coal stove. I'd hate to see it compromised if the conversion kit is unsuccessful. Again, that is not an expert opinion, just my two cents.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.