If you have an open fire, do you use coal?

[Flora73]

As well as logs!

Thanks

No, only wood which is not a fossil fuel, and if it is dry, will generate plenty of heat.

We use a small amount of coal to get the fire going, then just logs after that.

Yes. We order 4 x 50k bags a month as well as logs + kindling from the local sawmill.

Thanks all

I'm going through so many logs and kindling I'm trying to find a slightly cheaper alternative!

We use a small amount of coal as we were told its better for the chimney. So when the logs are burning hot we throw a few bits on

I only burn coal in mine

We use coal, but it's smokeless. We go through wood too quickly so switch once it's hot.

@toomuchfaster yes, ours is smokeless too

No just wood.

Yes just coal

Ordinary coal, the smokeless stuff is crap

We use both as it keeps the fire going for longer and creates more heat, the logs are for crackling effect

smokeless coal - more heat too

Yes we have a thin layer of coal at the bottom of the grate. Agree with other posters that the smokeless coal is crap compared to real house coal which of course you can't buy any more.

I use both. Kindling and then logs to get the fire going (I think logs burn ‘prettier’) then coal for longevity (and I find coal burning puts out more heat). Then I add logs on top of the coal when it starts looking flat.

Looks like I'm going to buy some coal then!

Thank you everyone, really helpful.

We use both. We don't have our heating on so I usually use wood to start the fire then once up to temp switch to the smokeless coal briquettes.

The briquettes keep the fire going for longer and mean I don't have to be extra vigilant like I do with wood.

It's still expensive but less so than wood. Some days we've had it going from 9am-10pm. Coal keeps the place toasty plus I put the clothes in front of it overnight to dry.

When we had the stove fitted we were advised strongly not to burn both together. It's a multi fuel stove so we can burn either, just not together.

Correct about check weather multi fuel or not! We have a Victorian open fire

We have an open fire and mainly burn coal, preferably premium house coal (which is still available round here) rather than smokeless briquettes. But it's not particularly cheap these days either, around £800 the tonne.

@Girlintheframe This is half of my problem! I start the fire and forget about and it goes out. The coal seems to be working well.

We use both - our home and water are heated with a dual fuel burner and an open fire. We own woodland and cut and dry our own wood and also buy coal monthly. Without the coal we cannot sustain the heat all night and heat enough water.

Coal and logs. The coal chucks the heat out. Try eco coal. Comes in a green and black bag and is still red hot in the morning. It's a byproduct of the olive oil industry so you can imagine how well it burns. Top stuff.

Where does everyone buy coal please? I just moved into a house with an open fire.

Also why have you kept it and not switched to a log burner - I’ve read they’re much more efficient at heating than an open fire

If you have a log burner ( like we do) what would happen if we burnt solid fuel in it,, would it break the appliance?