Coal fire advice

[Challenger1978]

I think it's time to get coal fire for those cosy nights in. Chimney is swept but what do I need. Just a grate and coal or do I need more?

How do I stop coal from falling off etc. safety etc and how do you light it


Yes I'm thick as fuck

Newspaper and some small dry strips of wood, also coal dust goes up well. Start with that and some small pieces of coal once that catches light add a couple more pieces of coal, basically just build up the fire slowly. IIRC open your flu to as the air sucking up the chimney will get the fire going faster.

Note: it's a long long long time since I've started a coal fire so i could be completely wrong.

 

[andyhinch]

Get a chimney sweep to have a chat with you, newspaper kindling and,

Enjoy

 

[sky tot]

Ive got something similar to this image ( if ive done it right ) . Then I bought a wooden mantle piece . Both were a piece of piss to fit . Behind the cast iron fire I filled the void with Vermiculite ( think its to stop the cast cracking). Imade sure my chimney was swept before using the fire and that's it . I use proper coal but might be worth checking where you live if you must use smokeless.
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[dick slexia]

I think it's time to get coal fire for those cosy nights in. Chimney is swept but what do I need. Just a grate and coal or do I need more?

How do I stop coal from falling off etc. safety etc and how do you light it


Yes I'm thick as fuck

If your asking questions like this then for the sake of your family and neighbours I should stick to pressing a button on the wall to turn the central heating on.

 

[andyhinch]

Your also best getting your coal in summer, the cheapest I can get it for is £240 a ton

 

[Gelsons Dad]

It used to be my job as a kid.

Screwed up newspaper and a bit of kindling is all you need to start it and you only need three or for sticks of kindle. cover with a thin layer of light coal. open flue for best ventilation light and leave it. In a few minutes the coal will catch and once it has you can stick as much as you want on. Close the flue a bit and bob's your uncle.

If you want to leave it burning over night just put a fresh layer of coal on and cover with the ash from under your grill. Pat it down so there isn't much airflow though it and retire to a toasty nights sleep. Once you work out how to keep it going over night you will not need to light it again until next winter ;-)

 

[andyhinch]

It used to be my job as a kid.

Screwed up newspaper and a bit of kindling is all you need to start it and you only need three or for sticks of kindle. cover with a thin layer of light coal. open flue for best ventilation light and leave it. In a few minutes the coal will catch and once it has you can stick as much as you want on. Close the flue a bit and bob's your uncle.

If you want to leave it burning over night just put a fresh layer of coal on and cover with the ash from under your grill. Pat it down so there isn't much airflow though it and retire to a toasty nights sleep. Once you work out how to keep it going over night you will not need to light it again until next winter ;-)

I never try and keep my open fire going through the night, I'll use anthracite eggs in the multifuel stove, they last longer than coal.

 

[Tuearts right boot]

Sounds silly but if you leave a window slightly open or have some form of ventilation to allow a small draught through your house it will make the fire burn hotter and cleaner

 

[sir baconface]

Get a chimney sweep to have a chat with you, newspaper kindling and,

Enjoy

That looks good.

 

[dazdon]

It all depends if you live in a smokeless zone doesn't it?

 

[Barcon]

 

[andyhinch]

Get a chimney sweep to have a chat with you, newspaper kindling and,

Enjoy

That looks good.

I couldn't buy a house without at least one fire, got 2 here, the place I'm looking to buy in the lakes has got 2 downstairs and 2 in the bedrooms

 

[sir baconface]

Get a chimney sweep to have a chat with you, newspaper kindling and,

Enjoy

That looks good.

I couldn't buy a house without at least one fire, got 2 here, the place I'm looking to buy in the lakes has got 2 downstairs and 2 in the bedrooms

Agreed. Wouldn't want to be without either an open fire or a wood-burning stove. Preferably in a big inglenook.

It's not so much the heat they give out; it's the sense of well-being on a cold winter evening.

 

[andyhinch]

That looks good.

I couldn't buy a house without at least one fire, got 2 here, the place I'm looking to buy in the lakes has got 2 downstairs and 2 in the bedrooms

Agreed. Wouldn't want to be without either an open fire or a wood-burning stove. Preferably in a big inglenook.

It's not so much the heat they give out; it's the sense of well-being on a cold winter evening.

Exactly, I can just put the central heating on for heat, but a fire gives you warmth. I dislike summer because it doesn't give me an excuses to light one

 

[Barcon]

I couldn't buy a house without at least one fire, got 2 here, the place I'm looking to buy in the lakes has got 2 downstairs and 2 in the bedrooms

Agreed. Wouldn't want to be without either an open fire or a wood-burning stove. Preferably in a big inglenook.

It's not so much the heat they give out; it's the sense of well-being on a cold winter evening.

Exactly, I can just put the central heating on for heat, but a fire gives you warmth. I dislike summer because it doesn't give me an excuses to light one

Outdoor fires in the summer to keep the mosquitoes away.

 

[urmston]

It all depends if you live in a smokeless zone doesn't it?

Yeah.

I'm considering moving out of the smokeless zone so I can have a real fire.

It's odd that the poor in the city have to pay high prices for gas and electricity but if you've got a bit more money and can afford to live further out you can easily collect wood and burn it for nowt and keep warm.

 

[Halloween Jack]

It all depends if you live in a smokeless zone doesn't it?

Yeah.

I'm considering moving out of the smokeless zone so I can have a real fire.

It's odd that the poor in the city have to pay high prices for gas and electricity but if you've got a bit more money and can afford to live further out you can easily collect wood and burn it for nowt and keep warm.

Yeah, I collect wood off the beach while I'm walking the dog.

 

[quiet_riot]

How much should I expect to pay for a sweeping of the chimney?

 

[sir baconface]

How much should I expect to pay for a sweeping of the chimney?

Send your kids up. They should be earning their keep.

 

[kinkysleftfoot]

You can't beat them