When choosing your fuel, there are a few things to consider. There is no one best fuel for blacksmithing, as you must weigh the pros and cons and decide which one best works for you, based on what your needs are, where you live, the kind of shop you have, etc.
This principle can be illustrated in summer and winter. As we know, summertime is a hot season, while winter is a cold season. Coal or charcoal forge can produce localized heat.
Coal or charcoal forge does not heat the shop, so it is always preferable during summertime and not during winter. Gas forge does not produce localized heat; therefore, it heats the shop. It is still preferred during winter and not summer.
Another factor to consider knowing the best fuel to use is its availability. If you want to determine the best fuel in terms of accessibility, it would be propane. Propane is easy to get, but blacksmith coal is not very easy to understand.
If you want to consider the best by how neat their output or product is, then using propane will be the best. This preference is because propane barely produces soot, unlike coal, that provides a large amount of smoke. The products of coal tend to be sooty while the products of gas forge tend to be neater.
The best fuel depends on certain factors. It depends on what you want, the place you are, the climate at a particular time, and other considerable factors. There are a lot of factors to consider, and only you can find these factors and come to a conclusion on what you feel would work best for you.
Coal
This is the most common forging fuel, used by most blacksmiths. Creating a forge fueled by coal is very easy. It just needs a bit more creativity and tweaking.
When you first light it, coal can get very smoky, but soon clears up as it gets hotter.
Even though you might want to use coal to fuel your forge, you might not easily find it, based on your location.
In the United States, coal is mostly found in the East and Northeast. The further you are away from these areas, the more expensive it becomes. Also, some states can fine you for using coal for anything other than cooking, so make sure to check your state laws before you use coal to light up your forge.
Coal heat up better and longer than charcoal. The only downside to this is the difficulty in lighting up coal.
Due to the amount of effort required to maintain the heat generated from coal, it is usually a blacksmith’s first choice. Less effort is required to maintain the fire generated from coal and an optimum temperature is achieved when forging with coal compared to charcoal.
Another right side to coal is that, compared to propane, you can expect to have less scaling. Most blacksmiths also say that they choose coal over propane because, in the summertime, the shop is not as hot as it would be if they were using propane to fuel their forges.
On the downside, coal can get so hot and burn the smith’s work if he is not careful. So, this means that, when using coal, the smith needs to focus on the item carefully, which will hinder him from attempting to work on multiple pieces at the same time.
Charcoal
Most blacksmiths would rather avoid charcoal if they can. It is considered the least desirable forge fuel. It is easier to find than coal, and although this makes the job of the blacksmith easier, the temperature may not even get hot enough to soften steels without having to use a lot and constant airflow.
So, despite it being easier to find than coal, you will still end up burning through them, very quickly, and may even not achieve the temperature you need. If you are a newbie, you can start with charcoal, and it should work with most of the things you will be creating when you first begin.
But, as you try to advance your skill, you would soon find that charcoal does not do what you need it to do, and it will only leave you frustrated.
Aside from frustration, charcoal also doesn’t last long when you use them. Charcoal burns very fast and still does not reach certain temperatures.
At times, you will need a high temperature to make some particular metal soft to forge them. This rate can be very frustrating, especially when the charcoal gets exhausted, and you have to add another set of charcoal to keep the fire and the heat going.
Charcoal forge is relatively cheap when compared to other fuels that are used to power forges, but it is the least desired, among other fuels.
Propane
Propane is also very easy to find. It is cleaner, burns hotter than charcoal and coal, and is more portable; so, it won’t take up a lot of space in your workspace.
A propane torch can work well to heat metal, but if you do a lot of smithing, a propane forge will be a better option for you. The forge will allow you to heat metals faster and more efficiently than the torch.
Generally speaking, the propane forge is more convenient than both coal and charcoal, as you won’t have to have to use a chimney. It fires up quickly, and in less than 10 minutes, you will be ready to begin forging. In contrast to using coal, with the propane, you can form many items at the same time, so work is generally less stressful and quicker to complete.
Propane is easy to get. This property gives it an edge over other fuels used in blacksmithing.
Using propane forge is very simple. The use of propane forge isn’t as complicated as using different types of a forge.
Using propane forge is more comfortable and faster. The most blacksmith would prefer propane forge over coal and charcoal forge.
On the downside, propane forges won’t give you localized heating, and you will need to use tongs more often than you would if you were using coal.
Also, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is generally higher with propane forges. You also find that, with propane forges, your steel is more susceptible to scale.
Another limitation of a gas forge is its inability to work on different shapes of metals. Coal and charcoal forge can work on different ways of metals and even do multiple jobs at the same time, but the gas forge cannot do this.
Charcoal vs Coal Forge
Coal is a fuel used in powering a forge. Coal forge is very easy to build, but a bit of creativity must be acknowledged. Creating a coal forge is comfortable, but handling and operating it doesn’t seem very easy. The coal forge gives off smoke at first. After some minutes of burning, it becomes bright and hot.
The best type of coal to use is anthracite coal. But this type of fuel is not readily available. It is also expensive. Bituminous coal can also be used in the replacement of anthracite coal. It isn’t as efficient as the anthracite coal, but it also performs a good job. Aside from the right positions, it is also less expensive and readily available to the blacksmith.
Coal is not very easy to light up, but after lighting, it burns for a longer time and burns hotter than charcoal. Charcoal is natural to light up but doesn’t burn as hot as coal. It also does not burn for a longer time.
Charcoal has a more constitutional advantage over coal. Depending on where you live, but most likely, charcoal is preferred over coal. In some countries, you can be fined if caught burning coal.
Charcoal is the least preferred fuel that is used to power a forge. Charcoal has some deficiencies that make blacksmith choose coal over charcoal. Charcoal does not burn efficiently. To attain a high temperature, you will have to use many pieces of charcoal. But coal is very efficient in producing a high amount of heat.
Charcoal sometimes may not reach a temperature high enough to soften certain metals. Still, other fuels can burn to achieve a high temperature to soften different metals and even melt them.
Coal vs Propane Forge
The propane forge is handy and portable. Propane forge is easy to handle and operate.
Propane forge is always preferred during the winter or cold season. This preference is because gas forge does not produce localized heat. They heat the surroundings when at work while coal forge is preferred during the summer season because coal forge produces localized heat. The environment does not get heated up, and so it is very reasonable to make use of coal forge during summer or hot days.
When making use of coal forge, you can work on different shapes of metals because the coal forge is extensible. You can also work on multiple small pieces of metal at the same time. You can create numerous jobs at the same time, like doing multiple vital chains, and this is difficult in a gas forge.
You can’t work on various tasks at the same time using a gas forge. A gas forge is not extensible, so it cannot accommodate the different shapes of metals.
Using a propane forge might be better in terms of the availability of fuels. Propane is easy to get, and it is readily available, unlike coal. It will be advisable to make use of gas forge instead of coal forge when examining it from the angle of how accessible the resources are.
Propane is suitable to use in a less rural area because propane does not cause smoke. Coal forge produces a lot of smoke and soot, but gas forge does not produce smoke and soot.
The Best Charcoal for Blacksmithing
The blacksmith charcoal is the fuel used to power a charcoal forge. The heat produced from the charcoal forge is gotten by burning the fuel (charcoal) in the hearth. The amount of charcoal needed to be consumed to attain a specific temperature, the amount of time a particular volume of charcoal gets exhausted, and other factors are what determines the best charcoal that can be used for blacksmithing.
Briquette is a type of blacksmith charcoal. This type of charcoal is not a very good fuel for your forge. Briquettes do not serve as a proper fuel in blacksmithing. If you want to get the best charcoal that would help as an efficient fuel for your forge, it is advisable to make your charcoal from wood. The quality of this charcoal is better than that of briquettes.
The Best Coal for Blacksmithing
Using a coal forge is good but getting the coal is the problem. Understanding and using coal isn’t straightforward in some parts of the country. Most blacksmiths make use of bituminous coal.
Bituminous coal is easy to obtain (not as easy as charcoal) and cheap. Most blacksmiths make use of this type of coal, so it makes bituminous coal suitable for the task. But the best coal for forging is the anthracite. Anthracite is the best coal for forming, but it is expensive, and it is not readily available.
The Best Propane for Blacksmithing
There are different grades of propane, and all of them come from the same source. They are from crude oil or natural gas.
There are three available grades of propane, which are HD5, HD10, and commercial propane. Each type of propane varies in its consistency, and they all have various purposes.
HD5 propane consists of 90% minimum propane and a maximum of 5% propylene. It also includes other gases like methane, butane, and iso-butane. HD10 propane allows up to 10% propylene; hence, it can create issues for engine and vehicle applications.
Commercial propane, on the other hand, is a sub-HD5 spec. It is useful for various commercial refineries for refraction and other similar processes.
Commercial propane is the best type for blacksmithing processes. It meets all the requirements necessary to fuel a forge. Unlike HD5 and HD10 that are high-grade propane, commercial propane is the best for fuel and other commercially powered appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a forge without fuel?
It is impossible to run a forge without fuel. A forge is a place where blacksmiths heat the metal to a forgeable temperature. The fire cannot sustain itself except it has an adequate fuel supply. In fact, you cannot start a forge without fuel in the first place.
What did medieval blacksmiths use as fuel?
The use of fuels by blacksmiths is as early as the trade itself. Medieval blacksmiths use charcoal and wood as fuel for their operational processes. This fuel was gradually replaced by coal during the advanced medieval era.
Propane is a modern type of fuel for blacksmiths.
Can you use charcoal for blacksmithing?
Yes. Charcoal is one of the standard fuels blacksmiths use. It is readily available, easy to use, and relatively cheap.
But most people consider it to be least desirable and only use it in the absence of other better options. It is not the best preferred because it is messy, and it burns at a lower temperature than other available fuels.
Can I start a blacksmith shop without a forge?
A forge is one of the essential blacksmithing tools. Blacksmiths heat the metal to a workable temperature in the forge for most of their processes. So, you might not be able to start a blacksmith shop in the absence of a forge.
You cannot heat metals to workable temperatures without a forge in your workshop. It is safe to say starting a blacksmithing shop without a forge is a mere waste of time.
What is the best fuel for forging?
Coal is widely considered the best fuel for forging. Coal burns hotter and more efficiently compared to charcoal and wood. It is also less expensive and more readily available than propane. Also, the coal volume required to run a forge is considerably lesser than charcoal, wood, and propane.
Which one burns hotter, charcoal or coal?
Although coal is not easy to light up compared to charcoal, it burns hotter and more prolonged once it lights up.
Where can I buy blacksmithing fuels?
Blacksmith fuels are not generally scarce. You will find them in various stores that sell blacksmithing materials. Some branded and packaged fuels are available online on the manufacturer’s website and different e-commerce channels.
How hot does coal burn?
The temperature of a forge fuel is one factor that makes it good or bad for blacksmithing processes. Coal is suitable as blacksmith fuel because it burns at high temperatures.
Coal can burn as hot as 2500 degrees Celsius (4500 degrees Fahrenheit). At this point, it can heat most metals to a workable temperature.
Does coal burn hotter than wood?
Coal burns hotter and longer than wood because it is denser. Likewise, coal offers a more even production compared to wood. You will also need a larger volume of wood for fuel than you will require for coal.
Which form of coal burns the hottest?
The hottest coal is anthracite coal. Anthracite coal burns hotter than any other fossil fuel. In fact, it is more desirable than most commercial fuels that are in everyday use.
What are some of the safety precautions while working with a forge?
Working with a forge requires care because you are dealing directly with fire and hot materials. If you don’t take the necessary precautions, you might end up injuring yourself. Some of the safety precautions while working with a forge include;
- Ensure you use gloves while handling anything that comes out of the forge.
- Use appropriate fuel for a specific type of forge, I.e., don’t use butane as fuel in a propane forge.
- Site your forge where you have decent ventilation and ensure proper air circulation within this area and the entire shop.
- Avoid keeping highly flammable materials like woods, cloths, fuel, etc., close to your forge to avoid fire outbreaks.
- Only use the type of forge you are familiar with or one that you are sure you can handle efficiently.
- Completely put out the fire in your forge once you are done with your forging process.
- Keep fire extinguishers and other firefighting tools around your blacksmithing forge for quick response in case of a potential fire outbreak.
- Ensure to keep in mind other blacksmithing safety rule while working with the forge
- Use respirators when you are working with coal or charcoal forge because they emit toxic gases.
What is the difference between coal and charcoal?
Most people don’t know the difference between charcoals and coal because people often use them interchangeably. The first difference you should note is that coal is a natural fossil fuel while charcoal is human-made.
You can get charcoal by heating woods at a high temperature in the absence of oxygen. The wood will undergo partial combustion, and you can filter the impurities and water to remain pure charcoal that can serve as fuel.
Coal, on the other hand, is a fossil fuel dug out of the ground. Coal is suitable for power because it burns at high temperatures and longer than other standard fuels.
Can I learn how to make a coal forge?
Coal forge is one of the essential blacksmithing tools. Blacksmiths can forge many of their devices, and the forge is not an exception. So, like every other blacksmith tool, you can also learn how to make a coal forge.
You can also make other simple blacksmith forges aside from coal forge.
What is the charcoal burning temperature?
The burning temperature of charcoal is usually around 1,100 degrees Celsius (2,010 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is around the melting point of iron, which means charcoal is hot enough to heat iron to its melting point.
Where can I find blacksmith coal for sale?
Most times, you can buy forging coal from outlets that sell other types of blacksmith fuels. You can also buy packaged ones directly from the manufacturers, both online and offline. Online markets also include various e-commerce websites.
But it is essential to buy your blacksmith coal from trusted and reliable channels.
What are the dangers of heating with coal?
Coal is a standard fuel in the blacksmith shop. Heating with forging coal comes with peculiar risks and dangers. One of such risks is the release of toxic gases.
Burning coals emit harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These gases are not only detrimental to human health; they can also cause environmental damage.
Which one is hotter, propane or butane?
Propane burns hotter and more efficiently than butane.
How is propane better than blacksmithing coal?
Both coal and propane are suitable fuels for blacksmith forge, but propane has an edge in certain aspects. Propane burns hotter and more efficiently than coal. Also, it is non-toxic and clean burning.
How is coal better than coal for blacksmith forge?
Coal can be preferred to propane, considering certain factors. Coal is more readily available than propane. Likewise, propane is relatively cheaper and burns longer than propane. You need a lesser volume of coal for forging processes compared to propane.
Can I learn how to use coal forge online?
Blacksmithing knowledge is available everywhere, and you can get them from various channels online. So, you can learn how to use coal forge online from multiple channels like YouTube, reputable websites, and other standard e-books. But it is essential to ensure that you tap knowledge from reliable and reputable sources.
Do I need heat for all forging processes?
No, you might not need heat for all forging processes. Some processes only require cold-forging. Cold-forging does not require heat, and it involves only soft materials like bronze and copper.
You might find it extremely difficult to cold-forge materials like steel and iron. It would be best if to heat them to a suitable temperature before you can work on them.
What is smithing coal?
There are different types of coals, and not all of them are suitable for the blacksmith forge. So, smithing coal is the type of coal that blacksmiths use. It is usually low in sulfur, burns efficiently, and produces minimal ash.
Can blacksmiths use bituminous coal?
Yes! Bituminous coal is a suitable fuel for the blacksmithing process. This type of coal is a mid-grade, soft, and irregular black coal. It is ideal for blacksmiths because it is easy to ignite and burns cleanly. It also burns hot and offers an even distribution of heat.
Can I buy forge fuels in bulk?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying forge fuels in bulk. It is better because it will reduce cost and save you the hassle of plying the market frequently. But it is best to ensure that you have appropriate storage technique and facility before buying forge fuels in bulk.
If you are buying coal and charcoal in bulk, you should keep them away from water and moisture. It would be best to put it in a sizable sack or container to prevent it from littering around.
Propane is slightly more challenging to keep because it is a gas. It is compulsory to have a suitable propane tank before thinking of buying it in bulk. It is best to check and ensure that there are no leaks or damages in the propane tank.
Also, keep all unused fuel away from the forge, mainly propane, because it is highly flammable.
How does charcoal burn?
Charcoal is easy to ignite, especially in the presence of oxygen. It reacts in this oxygen to produce glowing red. It also produces carbon monoxide, which further reacts with more oxygen from the air to give carbon dioxide. But not all carbon monoxide reacts with excess oxygen, and the gas is given off.
Why should I use a respirator while working with a forge?
It is advisable and highly recommended to use respirators while working in a blacksmith forge, especially coal and charcoal forge. These fuels give off toxic gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, benzene, and other polycyclic aromatic compounds. These gases are harmful to health and can cause environmental pollution.
Can I use a propane torch instead of a forge?
Propane touch is also efficient for heating metals to workable temperature, but it is only efficient for small pieces. So, a propane touch might not be a perfect replacement for a forge, especially if you work on large pieces.
Can I move my forge around?
You can quickly move most homemade portable forge from one point to another. So, moving your forge is dependent on the type of forge you are using. You might be able to move some grounded forge that is built with bricks.
When is the best time to use a forge?
You can use a forge at any time of the day as long as you need it to execute a project. There are no restrictions to the time to use a forge. But it is best to only work with forge during the day.
Humans tend to be more active during the day than at night. Working with a forge when you are sleepy or tired can pose serious risks and dangers.
Conclusion
Selecting the best fuel between coal, charcoal, and propane forge isn’t just determined by random picking. Different options and factors weigh it. These factors include your environment, your financial status, and the size of your workshop, your professionalism, and other factors.
As much as different fuels power the different forges, there are also different types of fuels. Out of these fuels, there is always one that stands out as the most suitable one for your forge.
The best charcoal for charcoal is the charcoal made from wood.
The best coal for coal forge is anthracite.
The best gas for gas forge is propane.
Now that you have seen the pros and cons of each of these fuels, making a decision should be easier for you.