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Sometimes a bituminous or anthracite coal is not an option so you need to start searching for alternative fuel choice for the forging process. The biggest problem with coal is its availability. For some people, good blacksmithing coal just is not possible to get for whatever reason it may be.From the practical point, only 1 similar solid fuel comes to mind, and that is charcoal. But now the question arises, can it be used for blacksmithing purposes? If properly maintained, charcoal can achieve temperatures hot enough for forging. As it burns out quickly, it doesn't require as much air blow as coal does. If you never worked with charcoal before, note that it can spark a lot, so be sure your forge is at the appropriate place. As with any type of fuel, it is important to know the proper fire management to achieve desired temperatures and also, not overspend the fuel. Further, it is very important to keep yourself safe when working with charcoal as sparks can fly anywhere. Proper Charcoal Fire Management If previously used, forge must be cleaned from all leftovers of fuel and clinkers, which builds up during the process. Also, make sure the piping system underneath the forge is cleaned up to allow proper airflow. Charcoal can be lighted in several ways. For example, you can put the paper below and fire it first. You can also put some wood on the paper, depending on how much fire you want. Charcoal can also be lighted with some combustible liquids. After you started a fire, a little airflow is needed. As the fire is growing, charcoal has to be gradually put. Especially with charcoal but with other solid fuels as well, the proper air control is a must. You will notice that charcoal does not require as near airflow as the coal does. It burns quickly and has to be replenished more often to maintain the proper heat. Difference Between Charcoal and Coal for Blacksmithing Simply said, charcoal is burned wood. By the slow process of pyrolysis, it removes water and other volatiles from wood and all that has left is mostly pure carbon. This allows heating to a much higher temperature and less smoke. When charcoal burns, it burns to ash which can further be used for other useful purposes. It also comes from a renewable source that can be obtained much easier than coal. To achieve the same heat as coal does, a big volume of charcoal is needed. As we said earlier, it doesn't require much air blow as it burns quicker. You could say that charcoal is a historic fuel. In the past, charcoal was the most common fuel. Many of the world's most famous blades were made with charcoal as burning fuel. Only until recently, coal usage as fuel began. The great thing about charcoal is the fact that you can make it yourself and therefore, save the money. If you decide to buy charcoal, it can be found in most local stores. Charcoal can also be used in many different types of forges. PROS of charcoal Easy availableEasier to light it upDoesn't require much air blowLights fasterCan be homemade CONS of charcoal Burns quicklyCan be more expensiveSparks fly everywhereNeeds more repletion during a fire Coal, on the other hand, is a combustible sedimentary rock. It is formed by a long term process of coalification. It is by far the most used solid fuels in blacksmithing. It consists mostly of carbon but other elements like hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen are present. If you are interested in which coal is best for blacksmithing, check What Is the Best Coal for Blacksmithing? If the proper fire management is achieved, coal is burned into coke. Coal is usually messier to work with compared to charcoal as it produces more smoke. Be sure to check your state's law for coals usage. Some states do not allow the usage of coal for anything other than cooking. In the U.S., coal is readily available in the East and therefore cheaper than it is on the West coast.Because coal burns much more efficiently than charcoal, its volume required for achieving high temperatures is much smaller. As with both, proper ventilation is required to avoid unnecessary inhalation of harmful particles that smoke produces. Also, be sure to wear protective glasses while working with both. To find out what safety equipment you need for blacksmithing, check Blacksmithing Safety Equipment What Is the Best Charcoal for Blacksmithing? When people say charcoal, they usually refer to hardwood lump charcoal. Another type of charcoal is charcoal briquettes.While lump charcoal is mainly derived from hardwood, briquettes are derived from wood leftover and sawdust.Hardwood lump charcoal is the best choice for blacksmithing. It burns much cleaner and hotter than briquettes. Lump charcoal is mostly composed of carbon whereas in briquettes are added chemicals to hold their shape. Let's see the PROS and CONS of lump charcoal and briquettes for blacksmithing use. Lump Charcoal PROS of Lump Charcoal NaturalBurns cleanerBurns hotterWithout chemicalsEasier to makeEasy to light CONS of Lump Charcoal Burns quicklyMore expensive Briquettes PROS of Briquettes Easier to findCheaperBurns longer CONS of Briquettes Contain additives and other chemicalsProduces more smokeNot achieving high enough temperatures Easy Way to Make Your Lump Charcoal Instead of millions of years as that how much it takes to form coal, charcoal can be made in just a few hours. This process is known to man for more than 30 000 years. After you buy charcoal several times, it will soon become clear to you that it is much cheaper to make it than to buy it. Believe it or not, it is not that complicated to make it. Lump charcoal can be expensive as it quickly burns and therefore you need a high amount to achieve the required heat. We decided to show you an easy way to make your lump charcoal. To do this, you will need: 1x small 30 gallons (114 L) barrel1x big 55 gallons (208 L) barrelHardwoodHacksaw INSTRUCTIONS Cut off the top of the both barrelsMake a few holes at the bottom of the big barrel for airflowCut off the hardwood into small logsFill the small barrel with logsPlace the small barrel in the center of a big onePut some paper and small pieces of wood around the small barrelLight it upMaintain fire for 3-4 hoursWait until is cooled down COMPLETELY If you want to see visually how its done, check below an awesome video tutorial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-R-8OPRJz4

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