Q&A Using Matchlite charcoal to start a coal stove?

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QandA

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Staff member
Nov 27, 2012
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Question:

On your coal burning tips, you suggest using Matchlite charcoal to get a coal stove started. On the bag it clearly states not to burn charcoal indoors due to carbon monoxide. How much CO does this produce and if we use the Matchlite, how many briquettes are we to be using? The smell seems to linger for a long time.




Answer:

Burning the charcoal in a stove with an updraft should put all the fumes up the chimney...not in your house. There is no problem with putting CO up the chimney, since that is what coal and other fuels put up there anyway!

If you are getting a smell, you may have an additional problem that needs to be determined and addressed before burning ANYTHING in the stove. This may be as simple as a "reversed draft" in the flue that can be fixed by preheating it, or as serious as a leak in your vent piping.
 
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