Forge Fire Management For Newbies!

[@micahthezilla9432]

I’ve learned pine with sap also works great.

[@IronsInTheFire-Official]

Agreed; and pine cones!

[@TomShervanick-uu5ss]

Fascinating and instructive, thanks

[@donniemills]

I like to use pine cones to start a fire usually only takes 4 to get it going

[@IronsInTheFire-Official]

Yes for sure! I've done that too; sometimes cedar sticks, sometimes little pieces of pine kindling also :) Thanks for watching!

[@devonodonnell6443]

Do you not worry about the coal side catching accidentally on fire after youve left for the night?

[@IronsInTheFire-Official]

Nah, not really. I take care to keep coal pulled back near the hopper and any loose coke away from the firepot. Has served me well.

[@cracked_smith-qz1ez]

how about charcoal fires?

[@IronsInTheFire-Official]

I've never worked with charcoal for forging. I've used bituminous and anthracite coal primarily; occasionally propane. John Switzer of Black Bear Forge works with charcoal on this project skillet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5TGgXppj5l7bMUsi=CtL5ErgzW8_GzMya I would speculate you'd just need to keep an eye on how big the fire grows during forging. Keeping only enough charcoal right around your fire that you need and/ or watering it to control the fire movement :) Thanks for checking us out; best wishes!

[@MatthewRulla]

real Charcoal (lump BBQ) is pure carbon and doesn't require any cokeing with water and it burns hotter and faster and starts easier. It also doesn't have as many impurities such as sulphur so it doesn't create as much clinker. I use charcoal to start my coal / coke fires or when I need a huge fire with lots of heat for large forgings. Pure charcoal fires with forced air can easily exceed steel forge welding temperatures very quickly so you have to be very attentive to your work. Currently where I live, 40lb lump charcoal is $18 at the grocery store, 50lb blacksmith coal is $34, ferrier's coke 50lb is $38.

[@User0resU-1]

Very useful information. Thanks.

[@IronsInTheFire-Official]

Glad it can help! Thanks for checking it out :)