Because the appliance’s name is “wood burner,” it is best to avoid burning coal in one. However, studying the owner’s manual can learn more about what you can and cannot burn in your wood-burning stove.
But can log burners burn coal? You should not burn coal in a log burner, domestic coal and smokeless fuels should be burned in a multifuel stove because they can severely damage and eventually destroy a wood-burning stove.
The architecture of these two stoves differs; in a wood burner, wood is burned on a flat surface, whereas coal must be burned on a raised grate in a multifuel stove. Coal, unlike wood, requires a grate to burn because it requires access to atmospheric oxygen from above.
Furthermore, multifuel stoves are designed to accommodate the ash created by burning coal or smokeless fuel, which is significantly more substantial than ash produced by burning only wood.
Can You Burn Coal in a Wood Burner
To put it simply, you shouldn’t use fireplace coal in a wood burner. People consider using a log burner to burn coal for various reasons. The former owners of the home may have left you a supply of coal, or you may still have some lying around from when you bought your new wood burner.
Is It Better To Burn Logs Or Coal?
Logs should be the only thing you put into your log burner. Putting coal into your log burning stove is a bad idea – as these stoves are not made with temperature tolerance for burning coal which is far higher than the ignited wood.
It’s also important to note for safety’s sake that charcoal, which is vastly different from coal, should never be burned in a wood burner, multi-fuel stove, or any interior fireplace due to the poisonous and carbon monoxide-releasing byproducts of its combustion.
Only outside BBQs are acceptable for utilizing it.
What Gives Out More Heat – Coal Or Wood?
Those who have a supply of house coal they haven’t used in a while often wonder if they may put it to use in their brand-new wood stove.
However, it’s crucial to understand how using the incorrect fuel for log stoves could affect how they function and whether doing so might harm your health or violate the law.
Burning coal can be risky and bad for your log burner for a variety of reasons, but one of the primary ones is that coal becomes very hot when burned, and this could be problematic in a stove that wasn’t designed for coal.
The high temperature generated when using coal can damage your wood stove.
Coal produces extremely high temperatures of up to 2500 ℃, whereas your wood stoves are not designed to withstand such high temperatures.
Wood burns at 600℃ and can reach a maximum of 1100℃ in bonfires. So, wood stoves are built around these calculations and will potentially explode at higher temperatures.
Why Is It Impossible To Burn Coal In A Wood Stove?
Like wooden pallets, coal-based items can harm a wood stove since coal burns significantly hotter than wood. Many individuals are still determining if they may use their wood-burning stove to burn coal.
The quick response? No. In addition to being risky, burning coal in a log-burning stove could also seriously harm the appliance.
CEO of Eurostove Ltd., Chris Baines, believes coal should never be used in a wood stove. “Coal will eventually damage the wood burner, even if it has a catalyzer and is a modern model.
The fire in a wood stove uses secondary air that descends from above, but coal fires require primary air that rises from below the grate.
Using Coal in a Log Burner
If you want to use coal, you’ll need a multi-fuel stove, which typically has a vented grate that allows air to enter from below the stove’s surface. While some wood stoves have grates, they may be suitable for coal.
According to Michael Coke, Stovax’s Biomass Products Development Manager, “dedicated wood burners are intended for only that – to burn wood.” “to ignite the wood.
Multi-fuel appliances come with a grate that you may use to riddle the ash into an ashtray that is built right into the stove. However, wood burns more efficiently on an ash bed. Thus the design of the stove will take this into account.
Following the manufacturer’s guidelines is vital for gaining the most out of your equipment, including burning good quality fuel. Modern log burners are required to meet Ecodesign regulations for decreased emissions.
This raises the question of why anyone would want to burn coal. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is released while burning wet wood or coal, can be breathed and absorbed by the body and harm your lungs and other organs.
The fumes may potentially harm your stove.
Can You Put Coal in a Log Burner – A Summary
I can see why you might be tempted to burner coal in your log burner due to its high heat output, it is generally inadvisable to use coal in log burners. Coal emits toxic substances and can lead to considerable damage to burners designed for wood logs.
Instead, I recommend opt for suitable wood types like kiln dried wood or specially made coal burners to ensure safety and longevity of your heating appliances.
