Starting a forge fire is easy and straightforward. Everyone is quick to teach and explain this, but nobody adds how to put it out once you are done. This might have left a big number of newbies unsure of how to put out coal fires.
Most of them are too embarrassed to ask. The reason most blacksmiths do not talk about this is that they expect this to be obvious. Well, it’s not that obvious, actually. There are a few ways or tips you can use to put your coal fires quickly.
Shut off air supply
The air supply you have been using to blast the fire and help it burn even hotter should be shut off first. Then use a rake or a pair of tongs to dig out the glowing coals to expose them. You will see these glowing coals grow darker as they extinguish.
Put the coals in water
If safety is one of your concerns when putting out the fire, you can dig out the glowing coals and put them in a bucket of water. Use a separate bucket of water for the ash dump. Now, your safety concern is taken care of because everything hot is sitting inside a bucket of water; they no longer pose any fire threats. However, whatever you do, do not pour water into the forge, as this will crack your forge. You can later carry the coal out, dry it, and reuse it—all good.
Put ash over the coal
One of the ways you can put out a coal fire is by putting ash over the burning coal. The burning ash causes the light to go out and smothers the fire. You can sprinkle the coal with water after adding ash to hasten the process.
After using the coal to create the needed heat, you need to find a way to quench it. You can use ash to put out the coal by pouring it over the coal. You have to make sure you pour the ash in large quantities. The larger the amount of ash over the coal, the faster it chokes the fire and puts it out.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a good fire quenching ingredient. When baking soda becomes heated, it releases the carbon dioxide gas that quenches the fire. You have to add a thin layer of baking powder to the burning coal to put it out.
Baking soda contains the same chemicals as a fire extinguisher, causing it to put out coal fire effectively. You have to pour it over the coal and leave it to do its work.
Fire extinguisher
The fire extinguisher is one of the firefighting equipment used in putting out the fire. The extinguisher contains chemicals that make it quench fire when applied to burning coal. Just get the fire extinguisher and apply it to your coal to put out the fire.
The fire extinguisher is one of the modern ways of putting out coal fire. If you find yourself asking questions about putting out a coal fire, you have your problem solved with the fire extinguisher. The fire extinguisher will not only put off the fire but will also ensure your safety.
Detergent
If you have a safety concern when putting out a coal fire, using detergents can be a sure bet. The detergent is always a safe way of putting out coal fire, especially when the fire is large. You can also add the detergent to the water and sprinkle or wet the coal deeply to quench it.
The chemical composition of detergents makes them one of the best fits to put out the fire. It will provide you with quenching qualities alongside safety when putting out coals.
Sand
If you are looking for an economical way of putting out coal fire, you can use sand. If you are thinking of how to put out a coal fire, using sand might be a good option. Sand is not expensive as it is a gift of nature, and you will get it almost everywhere.
You might need a large quantity of sand to put out the coal fire, depending on how large the fire is. You only need to pour the sand over the burning coal and watch as it puts off the fire.
Sprinkle the coal with water
Putting out your coal fire can be very stressful if you do not know how to go about it. One way you can successfully and efficiently put out coal fire is by sprinkling it with water. Spraying the coal with water makes it convert its heat to steam.
The steam evaporates into the air causing the coal to lose heat. The water also prevents oxygen from getting to the coal, so the coal gets quenched, the fire goes out. If you are using the coal forge, pouring water on the coal might not be a good option.
The coal does not have any problem with this, but the forge does. The forge can develop a crack due to the sudden temperature change. The best way to use water with a forge is to remove the coal and dip it in water to cool.
Mud
Mud is also an economical way of putting out coal fire. Pouring the mud on the coal will prevent it from getting the needed oxygen for combustion. The mud is also wet, causing the coal to lose heat in the form of steam.
The mud might not be highly suitable as it can cause a mess to your coal. When the mud dries, your coal will be dirty and might need cleaning before reusing it.
Cover the forge
Covering the forge is one of the ways you can put out your coal fire. Oxygen is essential in putting out the fire as combustion requires the use of oxygen. Without oxygen, the burning of fire cannot take place with your coal.
When you cover the forge, air and oxygen do not get to the fire causing it to choke. You have to cover it so that it traps the coal fire from air or oxygen.
Completely cover the forge in a way no air or oxygen gets to the fire.
All You Need to Know About Coal
Coal is one of the necessary fuels used in the blacksmithing process. It is a combustible brownish-black and black sedimentary rock. The coal consists of mostly carbon and a trace of other elements like sulfur, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
The formation of coal is a result of compaction and hardening of plant remains and other deposits. There are various types of coal depending on the degree of coalification, kinds of plant materials, and impurities range. These classifications of coal show the type of category your coal is.
The degree of coalification determines the rank of the coal, among others. The kind of plant materials depicts the type of coal you have. The last category is the range of impurities that shows the grade of the coal.
There are four types of coal; Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous, and lignite. Anthracite is the highest rank of coal with brittle and hard qualities, followed by bituminous, usually known for its high heating. The next type of coal that falls in line with the bituminous coal is the sub-bituminous.
Subbituminous coal is also black but substandard coal when it comes to heating. It is useful in generator preparation. The last type of coal is lignite. The lignite, also known as brown coal, with low heating and high moisture level, makes it suitable for electricity.
The proper knowledge about coal will help you on how to put out a coal fire.
Safety Precautions to Follow When Using Coal
It is essential to take necessary precautions when handling coal. You have to always look out for your safety in every activity you perform. Blacksmithing can be dangerous if you do not know how to handle it or tell danger from something safe.
Below are some of the precautions to take when handling coal.
Be aware of the danger
The first thing about keeping yourself safe from problems. When you are aware of the risk in handling coals or can recognize one when you see them, you have little or no issue with danger. The knowledge of the threat will even allow you to take subconscious precautions against risk.
Get professional training
If you lack proper or professional training, you might be at the risk of danger. If you undergo professional training, you will know the appropriate use of tools and resources, proper handling of coal, other forge fuels, etc. Adequate training will guarantee safety when handling coal and other fuels of a blacksmith.
Always put-on safety wears
One of the ways you can keep yourself safe is putting on safety wears. Blacksmiths and blacksmith workers need to wear protective clothing to ensure they are safe from hazards. You can put on protective wear like safety helmets, google, boots, earplug, hand gloves, protective clothing, etc.
Follow safety procedures
One of the ways you can ensure safety is by following safety procedures. There are expressly laid down safety procedures that you can follow during blacksmithing activities. The guidelines will guide you and save you from lots of hazards you can encounter when handling coal.
Follow safety standards
There are safety standards that you also have to follow when handling coals and other blacksmith equipment and resources. The safety standard gets upgraded to ensure the safety and good health of workers. You have to keep your safety standard upgraded for your best health.
Use the right tools
One of the causes of danger to workers is using the wrong tools for a job. When you use the wrong tools for a blacksmithing task, it puts you at the risk of danger. You have to make sure you use the right tools for each blacksmithing task to ensure your safety and good health.
Use the right technique
Different tasks require different techniques, so you have to use the right technique for your safety. For instance, you have to use the right coal quenching fire technique for your safety. If you make use of the wrong technique, you can escalate the fire instead of putting it out.
Always have first aid
Ensure you always have a first aid kit at your disposal. You can get injured when working in your workshop, but you can treat yourself easily and quickly if you have a first aid kit. You also have to take note of other first-aid maintenance measures to ensure a perfect blacksmithing activity.
These tips will work well and take care of most of your concerns: whether you are protecting your forge, you want to reuse your coals, or just worried about fires.