Ditched my coal forge for propane after one winter and I don't miss it

For about 3 years I was dead set on using coal. Thought it was more traditional and gave better heat control. Then I bought a Mr. Volcano propane forge off Amazon for $120 last January and tried it out during a cold stretch. The heat is way easier to get consistent, especially for smaller stuff like bottle openers and hooks. Has anyone else switched fuels and regretted it or stuck with it?

3 comments

3 Comments

miles_young5923d ago

Oh man, I feel this so hard. I was the exact same way - thought coal was the only real way to forge and anything else was cheating or something. But honestly, after that first winter with propane where I wasn't fighting to get the fire going in freezing temps or dealing with all that clinker and smoke, I couldn't believe I waited so long. I still have my old coal forge sitting in the corner of the shop collecting dust, and every time I look at it I think about how much more time I spent tending the fire than actually hitting hot steel. The Mr. Volcano is a beast for the price too, I've had mine for about 18 months and it's been nothing but consistent heat for me. I don't miss the coal dust in my lungs or having to clean out ash every single session, that's for sure.

beth_reed22d ago

@bell.felix getting hung up on clinker spelling is exactly the kind of energy I'd expect from someone who probably also corrects people on the proper way to stack a coal fire. Is switching to propane really that dramatic an event or are we just making a big deal out of buying a different kind of stove?

bell.felix23d ago

Honestly, it's "clinker" not "clinker" - it's actually "clinker" from coal.