Charcoal burning in a wood stove

I can't see how it would hurt the stove to burn it. You would have to mix it with wood to do any good. Or use it when it's not too cold out. It won't burn too hot. I think it wouldn't burn hot enough.

I have a Summit insert and in the fall and spring, a big load of coals are nice to keep the house warm, but in Jan and Feb, it's a curse and you have to work at burning them down.

We've never tried that, but realizing that charcoal is nothing but wood to start with, it seems it would not harm anything at all. Mix it in with some wood and it should be fine.

I could be wrong but I though that there is an acid that is released when charcoal is burned vs wood. Check the chimney systems see if there is a difference, or at leasst a charcoal stove. There has got to be a reason.

I thought there was increased CO production from charcoal as well. Certainly there are a thousand warnings around about never burning it in an enclosed space.

Charcoal is not just wood. Charcoal is a mixture of wood char and coal. Would it hurt anything? I doubt it would but I really don't know.

Email the manufacturer of the stove. They may say go for it but limit it to so much with wood, or they may say it voids your warrantee??? At least you will know. My guess is the stove is tested with wood and they will tell you not to do it but there are stoves like the harmon out there that do both.

I wouldnt worry and just burn it I do know that charcoal draws moisture very easily and will rust out a steel grill in a hurry if left sitting so I would make sure you clean out the ashes as soon as possible. Also hardwood charcoal (lump) burns a lot hotter and faster than briquettes. IMOE

I'll take it if you don't want it, I'm sure it will burn in my stove.

You also might need a bottom fed air supply to get it to burn properly....

In your position. I'd certainly have found a way to take it. That's a whole bunch of BTU's there. Congrats! Seems to me you could mix it in with hardwoods all winter long. Probably depends on which stove you're running. Mine is built like a battleship, 5/16in steel, all double welded, firebox lined with firebrick. Personally, I'd chance it. Maybe not with some of these lighter stoves, though.

OTOH from what Web is saying about the pressed briquettes formula, that would definitely give me pause. I'd want to know what risk that sort of gas mixture poses to the chimney (if any). Does it have any corrosive effect on metals? (as combustion exhaust) But the wood type, I wouldn't lose any sleep over.

mbcijim said:

I have been offered 6000 pounds (not a typo) of Charcoal. It isn't in bags (it's in gaylord shipping containers). A friend runs there warehouse and this is the collection of ripped bags. That's about 3 pallets worth.

I am new to wood burning and have a Pacific Energy Summit Classic waiting to be installed in my new home.

Can I burn it in my woodstove instead of wood? Or can I mix it in with wood?

Any danger of burning too hot?

Click to expand...

Hiya

I saw your post and thought that I should comment - given that you are still looking for an answer, then...

Your charcoal should not be burnt on its own, but would be fine if it is mixed with dry wood, logs etc.

Burning the charcoal on its own is not really advisable and could result in it not burning correctly.

Ciao ciao,

Interesting question - I'd probably give it a try. I mean, afterall - when you have a wood fire and it is done burning, what is that giant pile of glowing embers if it is not charcoal? If this is charcoal meant for food, I would suspect it would be very low in sulfur which would be where any acid would be produced...who would want a steak that tastes like a burned match?

It's also a bit strange seeing a mention of charcoal rusting out a grill. Just this the other day, the wife wanted to take our grill to a weekend outing. This is an ancient weber grill that was used and abused when I got it 7 years ago. That thing has grilled several tons of steak, sets outside in all weather year around, and the ashes usually fall out the air holes onto the ground as opposed to being emptied. Since she wanted to use it, I finally dumped the ashes out and hosed it off. I was amazed at how clean and almost completely rust free the bottom of the grill was. I don't think it is made of stainless or anything that exotic. But still almost zero rust.

I say - for free, you can't go wrong!