How to dry wet coal?

stovecoal

Mods, if this post is in the wrong place can you please move?

Recently Beatty Fuels delivered me a pallet of Maxibrite and the coal was soaking wet. Beatty's think that wet coal burns the same as dry. Maxibrite is designed specifically for stoves and wet coal will damage my stove.

I tried drying some in a open container in a room that gets light and every day transfer the top layer to a bucket. The coal looked dry but when I burned it the glass front on the stove was black with tar.

What's the best way to dry coal?
How many days does it take to dry?
Is there a way to test if coal is dry before putting into stove?

Thanks

upupup

stovecoal wrote: »

Mods, if this post is in the wrong place can you please move?

Recently Beatty Fuels delivered me a pallet of Maxibrite and the coal was soaking wet. Beatty's think that wet coal burns the same as dry. Maxibrite is designed specifically for stoves and wet coal will damage my stove.

I tried drying some in a open container in a room that gets light and every day transfer the top layer to a bucket. The coal looked dry but when I burned it the glass front on the stove was black with tar.

What's the best way to dry coal?
How many days does it take to dry?
Is there a way to test if coal is dry before putting into stove?

Thanks

there is no need to dry it but if you want to dry it then just empty the bag out on the ground on a dry day

stovecoal

upupup wrote: »

there is no need to dry it but if you want to dry it then just empty the bag out on the ground on a dry day

Burning wet fuel in a stove is pointless and it will damage a stove.

The way I am drying it at the moment is the same as dumping the coal on the ground. I have it in a sun room which gets loads of heat. The wetness on the outside of the coal pieces drys off but the coal still won't burn properly.

Here is one online source stating never to use wet coal in a stove:

"Never Burn Wet or Damp Smokeless Coal
The moisture from the fuel will go up the flue and cause damage, particularly if you have a stainless steel liner. It also causes a really unpleasant 'goo' in the stove and on top of your stove's baffle/throat plate." Jan 31, 2019
https://www.fireplaceandstoveshop.co.uk ›

upupup

stovecoal wrote: »

Burning wet fuel in a stove is pointless and it will damage a stove.

The way I am drying it at the moment is the same as dumping the coal on the ground. I have it in a sun room which gets loads of heat. The wetness on the outside of the coal pieces drys off but the coal still won't burn properly.

Here is one online source stating never to use wet coal in a stove:

"Never Burn Wet or Damp Smokeless Coal
The moisture from the fuel will go up the flue and cause damage, particularly if you have a stainless steel liner. It also causes a really unpleasant 'goo' in the stove and on top of your stove's baffle/throat plate." Jan 31, 2019
https://www.fireplaceandstoveshop.co.uk ›

have you used it before when it was dry?
hit a lump of coal with a hammer and you will know if it is dry inside

stovecoal

upupup wrote: »

have you used it before when it was dry?
hit a lump of coal with a hammer and you will know if it is dry inside

First time using this coal and it's my first order (and last) from this company.

I have a rack outside that I normally use for firewood. Thinking of dumping a bag, covering with tarp but letting enough air in.

How do I know if it's 100% dry? If it's only 70% then it could damage the internals of the stove.

I have a device for measuring the moisture in firewood - I wonder is there anything like that for coal?

upupup

stovecoal wrote: »

First time using this coal and it's my first order (and last) from this company.

I have a rack outside that I normally use for firewood. Thinking of dumping a bag, covering with tarp but letting enough air in.

How do I know if it's 100% dry? If it's only 70% then it could damage the internals of the stove.

I have a device for measuring the moisture in firewood - I wonder is there anything like that for coal?

Drying it outside under the tarp is the best option.
Get a bag or two of good quality dry coal for now as the weather isn't good for any type of drying now.Make a few holes in the bottom of every bag to allow any excess water out