Really dumb question

[infinitymike]

I know coal has been buried underground for thousands of years but once it becomes processed can it go bad.

I have a friend who, when he bought his house 10 years ago had a basement full of coal.

He took it out and piled it behind his garage because he didn’t know what else to do with it.

It really sounds dumb but Is that stuff still good to burn.

 

[Hass]

Sure it is, it's good to burn in a....

wait for it...


coal burner.

 

[Wood Duck]

I imagine coal can absorb some water. Is fuel coal dried before it is sold? Extra water would be the only thing I think could go wrong, and the amount of water coal would absorb compared to the energy in the coal probably is small; extra water might make the coal harder than usual to light, but I bet it will still burn just fine.

 

[begreen]

Some here like to season their coal for at least 2 yrs. If it's anthracite, more could be better. :roll:

 

[allhandsworking]

"Bugs in my coal bin"!

 

[jatoxico]

My question is not if it goes bad (don't think so) but what grade. If its the dirty stuff may not want it. Anthracite is tops I think.

 

[MasterMech]

Some here like to season their coal for at least 2 yrs. If it's anthracite, more could be better. :roll:

Do folks in WA even know what anthracite looks like? lol

 

[jimbom]

I don't burn coal, but it seems like a good scrounge if you did burn coal.

 

[rottiman]

2 most common types are Anthracite, which is HARD coal and Bitouminous, which is SOFT coal. Anthracite is the common household heating coal. Bitouminous is generally used in industrial application. Should be fine stored in the basement for extended periods. Laying outside, uncovered for prolonged periods, could start to affect how well it burns. That is why it is stored in covered bins @ the dealers.

 

[ansehnlich1]

That coal will burn just fine.

There are left over pieces of coal here on the farm from 50 years ago or more, that have been outside for all those years, that are still hard as, well, coal.

 

[Stump_Branch]

Theres 3 types of coal anthracite, bitumous and litumous. For burning in a gome heatet, coal burner, anthracite is the only one to consider really. Other two are yes more industrial.

Wet coal is no probelm, in fact at coal yards and when they process coal to smallet sizes, pea nut, rice etc. They "wash" the coal to keep dust down. Coal dust in the right situations can be explosive. Wet coal tends to keep the mess down. Dads a better part of a decade and half, i shovled more then a few ton, never seen it covered. When they bag it they add water for reasons above. He believes wet coal is actually easier to light than dry, i dont understand that aspect. He uses mice or magnesium packed fire starters, i cant agrue with 15 years of burning really.

If you have a stove that is meant to burn coal grab it...keep in mind most cant, such as all the newer epa stoves. Coal burns differently than wood. Needs air from under the fire, be like leaving an ash pan door open.

 

[allhandsworking]

Irish fireplaces burn coal and wood that's dripping wet! It would probably take 20 years to season tooth pics!

 

[firefighterjake]

If you cannot burn the coal in your stove I would . . .

a) save it for the kids at Christmas time and put it in their stockings

b) start putting several pieces under pressure and tell your spouse that in a few million years it will be a very nice diamond.

 

[jimbom]

If you cannot burn the coal in your stove I would . . .

a) save it for the kids at Christmas time and put it in their stockings

b) start putting several pieces under pressure and tell your spouse that in a few million years it will be a very nice diamond.

Looks like another tie and socks Christmas for you.

 

[BrotherBart]

He uses mice or magnesium packed fire starters, i cant agrue with 15 years of burning really.

Yuck.