Showerthought: I was using way too much coal for my forge for years

I was going through a 50 pound bag every two weeks in my home shop. An old timer at the scrap yard in Toledo saw my truck and asked if I was running a foundry. He told me to try banking the fire more and using less air, and now a bag lasts me over a month. So, is it better to run a big, hot fire all the time, or a smaller, more controlled one you build up as needed?

2 comments

2 Comments

anthony_wells13d ago

My buddy had the same problem with his backyard forge. He was burning through fuel until another blacksmith showed him how to bank the coals overnight. It made a huge difference.

chen.phoenix12d ago

What does banking the coals actually mean?