
Coal ignites at a temperature more than 100 degrees higher than wood, and it requires a hot bed of wood coals to get it started. Being far denser than wood, coal burns more steadily and longer. Coal stoves may need attention only twice a day at most, and they may burn more than two days before they need to be resupplied, depending on the stove.
Is coal a better fuel than wood?
The coal fire is hotter and last longer and burn more sustainable than wood. Coal is one of the most inexpensive and relatively abundant fossil fuel, which is easier to be obtained and used comparing with oil and natural gas, etc. However, the biggest problem for coal is the air pollution.
Does coal burn hotter than wood?
Roughly speaking, coal and wood (all types) provide the same amount of heat per pound. But hard coal (anthracite) is at least twice as heavy as wood. So, to get the equivalent amount of heat, even...
What Burns longer coal or wood?
Coal should never be burned in a wood burning stove. Due to it's density, coal will burn hotter and longer than wood logs which is one main advantage, however the chemicals released from coal burning are certainly worse for the environment, and worse for your lungs should they be inhaled, than wood smoke.
Is it better to burn coal or wood?
Of course, it is better to burn coal in a coal stove. But if you want, you can also burn wood in it. Coal has a chemical composition that allows it to burn for a long time. And adding wood to this stove will cause the fuel to burn even longer with a woody aroma. That is, if you combine them, then it will last more than usual time.
What are the advantages of coal over wood?
Wood does not burn as long as coal does. One pound of anthracite coal has nearly 2x more BTU than does one pound of wood, because of this, you can fit nearly 2x more fuel in your stove. The advantages of this are that you can heat larger spaces, and you are tending the stove only twice per day.
Why is coal used more than wood?
Being far denser than wood, coal burns more steadily and longer. Coal stoves may need attention only twice a day at most, and they may burn more than two days before they need to be resupplied, depending on the stove.
Is wood cleaner than coal?
'" Studies have found that burning wood over fossil fuels produces about 65 to 95 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.
How efficient is coal compared to wood?
Typical combustion efficiencies for wood are approximately 25%, compared to 35% for coal (Netherlands Enterprise Agency 2011, IEA 2016).
Is it worse to burn wood or coal?
The research shows that using wood instead of coal in power generation increases the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, worsening climate change until—and only if—the harvested forests regrow.
Is wood more polluting than coal?
A large and growing majority of scientific evidence shows that burning wood for power is often not carbon neutral – and in some circumstances can be a worse polluter than coal.
Is burning logs better than coal?
Bad (worse than coal) wood Biomass from sources like this produces emissions higher than natural gas, though still lower than coal. Reducing the rotation rate of trees to boost forest output is also generally a bad idea for the climate and can lead to the production of biomass that's higher carbon than coal.
Is burning wood eco-friendly?
By choosing to burn wood you are already helping the environment. Aside from being carbon neutral, the kinds of emissions given off by burning wood are far less harmful than those given off by fossil fuels.
Is burning wood bad for the environment?
Wood Burning Can Be Worse Than Fossil Fuels No matter how it burns, a wood fire produces carbon dioxide. From the moment a tree is felled until a mature tree grows to take its place, the carbon released from the fire represents an addition of warming pollution to the atmosphere.
What does coal smell like?
The Smell of Burning Coal Coal smoke is less aromatic than wood smoke and has a dirtier smell, like cigar smoke compared to a pipe mixture. But like tobacco, it was not unpleasant in small, dilute doses.
Does coal smoke less than wood?
Generally speaking, coal stoves can burn significantly longer than other fuel stoves – that includes wood. Yes, coal stoves can sometimes generate heat for up to 48 hours (TLC 2000), which is longer than the average wood load can do.
How much more powerful was coal than wood?
Coal is an energy dense fuel, meaning it burns efficiently, and produces more heat per ton. It also means a coal burning appliance is capable of producing 2x more BTU/hr. than a wood burning appliance. Essentially you can burn less coal for longer, giving you more bang for your buck.
Why do we still use coal?
It lights houses, buildings, and streets; provides domestic and industrial heat; and powers most equipment and machinery used in homes, offices and factories. Coal is the most abundant source of electricity worldwide, currently providing more than 36% of global electricity.
Why is coal a good energy source?
It is a stable and secure source of supply. It is inexpensive and price-stable. It is versatile. Coal = Reliable Energy.
What are the 5 uses of coal?
Coal also has a myriad of other uses, including in cement production, carbon fibers and foams, medicines, tars, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and home and commercial heating.
What are the advantages of using coal as an energy source?
Advantages of CoalHuge Global Reserves.Not an Intermittent Energy Source.Reliable Fuel.Inexpensive Energy Source.Independent of the Weather.Plenty of Applications.Compatible With Other Energy Sources.Creates Jobs.More items...•
How many cords of wood is a ton of coal?
1 ton of coal is 2-3 cord of wood, if I remember correctly. Obviously it would depend upon the type of wood.
How long does a 50# bag of coal last?
A 50# bag of coal (about $8 here) lasts for a weekend.
Can you burn wood in a coal stove?
You can burn wood in a coal stove (that's how you start it), but you can't burn coal in a wood stove unless it's designed for both fuels. A coal stove needs a shaker grate at the bottom and a secondary air inlet on the top. On mine, the secondary air is the loading door, with a notch that holds it slightly open.
Does Kaptjaq have a coal stove?
Multi-fuel stoves are numerous. KaptJaq actually has a coal stove as a second stove. The old Vigilant I used to own was able to burn both. But required some internal additions to use coal properly.
Is coal ash bulkier than wood ash?
Coal ash is bulkier than wood ash. It needs to be shoveled out frequently. I'm using it to fill in rough spots on the trail behind the cabin as it packs down and binds together nicely with a few rainstorms.
Is coal as much as oak?
coal is twice as much as c/s oak in my area ... I still tried coal, and wont buy anymore.. Some people like it. Coal companies are filing bankruptcy so the price probably will go up in the future.
Can an F-100 burn coal?
It does not appear to be so. The F-100 appears that it can burn coal. (Section 8, page 23-24, under English instructions)
Why is coal cheaper than pellets?
Coal is far cheaper than a pellet stove. It is because the demand for coal is decreasing day by day since mining coal is very dangerous and burning coal is considered harmful for the environment. But there is a huge amount of reserve coal available in the world. If we compare the cost per unit of heat (in BTU) then we can observe that the price of per ton of wood pellet has to be reduced to $140 per ton to equal the cost of one ton of coal. It is because the one pound of coal produce almost twice heats as one pound of wood pellets. So, you have to buy 2 pounds of wood pellet to match the heat generated by 1 pound of coal in a stove.
How much less nitrogen oxide is produced from wood based power generation than coal?
They state that wood-based power generation produces 75% less nitrogen oxide than coal. They had succeeded to reduce 5,411 tons of nitrogen oxides from 2011 to 2015.
How much coal is burned in a stove?
Burning 1000 kg of coal in a stove produces 100 kg of waste (ash). When you are burning coal you have to keep it on your mind that you have to deal with lots of waste. Moreover, when you are paying for 1000 kg coal, you can use only 900 kg of coal. The rest 100 kg will be a waste of money. Contrariwise, wood pellet burns clean ...
Does burning wood pellets harm the lungs?
Combusting coal emits very harmful toxic gases like Carcinogen Benzo (a)pyrene which they release in the atmosphere and it may harm your lungs if you inhale it. Burning wood pellet also produce toxic gases but it is very negligible and the harm it is done will become balanced by producing oxygen formed by photosynthesis when the tree is growing since it is made from wood.
Does wood pellets emit carbon dioxide?
Carbon Emission. Researchers found that the wood pellet power plant of Europe and the UK emits more carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour than generated by coal power plants comparing the production of the same amount of power burning them. We check the data of the British Drax Power Plant which is one of the largest biomass ...
Does coal burn better than wood pellets?
Normally purchased coal contains 12% moisture where wood pellets contain only 10% moisture. Coal absorbs more moisture when it is kept outdoor. Moist coal weighs more and produce greater smoke and become very difficult to burn. The moisture level of the wood pellet remains nearly constant since it is always kept in a good quality plastic bag. So, they rarely get in contact with the open air.
Can you store coal in your house?
Storing coal is pretty hard. It is not clean so you can’t store it inside your house. You have to make a special storage room for keeping it in reserve for later use. Also, coal absorbs moisture quickly. So, you have to build a storeroom that is close, not open. On the other hand, you can store wood pellet easily inside your house since they are clean, doesn’t make your house dirty like coal, they come up in a high-quality bag.
Why is wood burned compared to coal?
Probably the best if not the only reason to burn wood as compared to coal is that wood, if properly managed, is a sustainable resource whereas coal is a limited and finite supply.
Which type of coal is the best to burn?
Coal is not a single compound but multiple types, Coal Anthracite is the best type of coal to burn because it concentrates more specific energy (Wh/kg) and is cleaner than Bituminous or Lignite Coal and even Wood
What is wood made of?
Wood, however is made from the carbon in the air of today and the recent past. As trees grow they grab carbon dioxide from the air using light, split it into carbon and oxygen, which is incorporated into the wood and forms sugars in sap and nectar. When you burn wood you release carbon from the air of the recent past not millions of years ago. As such the net carbon dioxide doesn't rise.
Does burning coal increase CO2?
Burning almost anything releases carbon dioxide, but the carbon in coal has come from the an cient world some hundreds of millions of years ago. So burning coal, a fossil fuel, causes atmospheric CO2 concentration to rise and cause a rise in global temperature.
Is coal a pollution product?
In terms of other pollution products, coal is more problematic as it can contain sulfur. Burning sulfur produces sulfur dioxide what dissolves in water to produce sulfuric acid and thus acid rain. Acid rain - Wikipedia
Is wood renewable?
Well, wood is somewhat renewable, in theory at least. The problem is deforestation. If you actually replant the logged areas, it is carbon neutral except for the carbon required to harvest and replant the trees.
Is burning wood better than burning fossil fuels?
So burning wood, better than burning fossil fuels, but not better than wind, solar, hydro or nuclear in terms of more sustainable and lower carbon energy.
Why is coal not seasoning?
Coal needs no seasoning because its moisture content is virtually nil. Nevertheless, coal should be bought from a reliable dealer who supplies anthracite free of excess material and dust. * Availability. Good hardwood is more plentiful on the East Coast than elsewhere in the United States.
How hot does coal burn?
Coal ignites at a temperature more than 100 degrees higher than wood, and it requires a hot bed of wood coals to get it started. Being far denser than wood, coal burns more steadily and longer.
What happens when you burn wood in an airtight stove?
Burning wood in an airtight stove requires a slow fire. This , in turn, emits high doses of pyroligneous acid, or creosote. The creosote sticks to flues. If there is too much of it in the flue, it could ignite and cause a chimney fire. Cleaning chimneys and stoves is important, and it adds to the cost of burning wood.
Why do you burn coal with a window?
As with wood stoves, coal must always be burned with a slightly open window in order to resupply oxygen that coal or wood fires consume. Secondary air intakes of modern stoves burn off carbon monoxide. * Burning rates.
What is the percentage of ash in anthracite coal?
Anthracite coal generates 8 to 10 percent ash per ton - more than wood. The ashes are not good for vegetables, but they may be used to fill potholes and to provide traction on slippery walkways.
How many cords of wood are burned in a year?
The normal unit measurement of wood is a cord - 128 cubic feet, or a space 4 by 4 by 8 feet. A typical household may burn 3 to 6 cords a year, which results in a lot of usurped space. Coal is usually sold by the ton, which occupies less than 40 cubic feet - or a space of about 3 by 3 by 4 feet.
How many cords of maple equal a ton of coal?
In British thermal units (B.t.u.) of heat potential, about 11/3 cords of good red maple equals a ton of coal.
AnthraciteBurns Longer and Hotter Than Other Fuel Sources
The hottest wood fire is produced by red oak at around 1600 degrees Fahrenheit. Soft woods such as pine burn at a much lower temperature, less than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Anthracite coal burns at above 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit and can burn as hot as 3,500 degrees depending on combustion air flow.
AnthraciteIs More Convenient to Store
Using wood for heating means needing considerably ample space, out of the weather to store cord wood or wood pellets. Most households will consume an average of six cords of wood per year, which translates to 768 cubic feet or 28.5 cubic yards of room area.
Anthracite Is A Cleaner And Safer Burning Option
Despite the negative press that bituminous coal receives regarding its environmental impact, anthracite coal is safer for the environment. Anthracite coal has the lowest sulfur content emission when compared to bituminous coal and other fossil fuels. It is also known as “hard coal” – as opposed to the Bituminous coal which is called “soft coal”.
Anthracite Is Easier To Use And Low-Maintenance
Aside from coalAnthracite being a more energy dense heat source, it is also easy to load and use. For wood to function well, it must be air-dried and not have more than 20% moisture. High-quality wood would usually takes up to six months or longer to lose most of its water content and be ready for burning.
Anthracite Is A More Reliable Heat Source
Anthracite coal is the only fossil fuel not traded on the futures market, therefore it’s pricing does not change rapidly. From 1949 to 2011 Anthracite purchased at point of origin went from $8.90 a short ton to $70.90 a short ton, that increase came in small incremental steps.
A Few Things To Remember When Burning Anthracite
Coal is an excellent option for homeowners looking for more convenient heating sources. Still, it comes with a few disadvantages, but they are easily manageable with proper knowledge and preparation. Coal ignites at a temperature more than 100 degrees higher than wood, and it requires a slightly different process to get it lit.
Wrapping Up
Anthracite-burning, like anything you have never done before requires proper education. Leisure Line offers many resources in the Owners link on our website. Anthracite ignite less quickly than wood. But, with a few attempts and practices, you will soon to easily light your coal stove or furnace without a hitch.
What is the function of wood stove?
With wood, (assuming it's the same as a stove) you close-off air from beanth and control the rate of burn from a top feed of air.
Should you burn coal and wood together?
There are also some pundits who claim you should never burn coal and wood together (or smokeless, one assumes) due to 'chemical reactions' but I have never been able to find any reliable evidence to support this and countless people do it without apparent issue.

Cost
Availability
Maintenance
- The maintenance of the reading stove is not that difficult since you can run a complete season without cleaning it. But, you have to clean the pellet stoveat least once a month, otherwise, it will not perform like new.
Weight Calculation
- If you purchase one ton of coal from a supplier of household use, then you are not sure that you have as much you have paid for. You can’t calculate that much coal at a time. On the other hand, pellets are always packed in bags. So, you can count it easily and calculate the amount very easily.
Moisture Level
- Normally purchased coal contains 12% moisture where wood pellets contain only 10% moisture. Coal absorbs more moisture when it is kept outdoor. Moist coal weighs more and produces greater smoke and becomes very difficult to burn. The moisture level of the wood pellet remains nearly constant since it is always kept in a good-quality plastic bag. So,...
Ash
- Burning 1000 kg of coal in a stove produces 100 kg of waste (ash). When you are burning coal you have to keep it in your mind that you have to deal with lots of waste. Moreover, when you are paying for 1000 kg of coal, you can use only 900 kg of coal. The rest of 100 kg will be a waste of money. Contrariwise, wood pellet burns clean and they produce lesser smoke and ash. Combust…
Storage
- Storing coal is pretty hard. It is not clear so you can’t store it inside your house. You have to make a special storage room for keeping it in reserve for later use. Also, coal absorbs moisture quickly. So, you have to build a storeroom that is close, not open. On the other hand, you can store wood pellets easily inside your house since they are clean, don’t make your house dirty like coal, they c…
Pest
- Coal doesn’t attract pests, insects, or any harmful creatures. So, you don’t need to use pesticides in your coal storeroom. But, since pellet is made of industrial wood waste and the main component is wood, they may attract the pest and many wood insects inside if you keep wood pellet without any plastic bag. That is why we always recommend keeping the wood pellet insid…
Carbon Emission
- Researchers found that the wood pellet power plant of Europe and the UK emits more carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour than generated by coal power plants comparing the production of the same amount of power burning them. We check the data of the British DraxPower Plant which is one of the largest biomass and coal-burning power stations in North England.
Other Harmful Gases
- Combusting coal emits very harmful toxic gases like Carcinogen Benzo(a)pyrenewhich they release in the atmosphere and it may harm your lungs if you inhale it. Burning wood pellets also produce toxic gases but it is very negligible and the harm it is done will become balanced by producing oxygen formed by photosynthesis when the tree is growing since it is made from wood.