Hitzer 254 Stove

The important factor is the whole grate area must be covered in order for the Anthracite Coal to burn properly. Also a deep bed of coal burns better than a shallow bed. This doesn’t mean the whole bed of coal will ignite, because coal burns from the bottom up. Therefore, it will only burn the bottom layers even if there is a deep bed of coal. Your coal will not burn if the whole grate area is not covered because the air flow will go around the coal instead of through the coal.

Yes, there is more heat produced by burning Anthracite Coal compared to burning wood. This is because there are more BTU’s in Anthracite Coal.

Anthracite Coal starts differently compared to other fuel sources. There are three important factors that must occur to start Anthracite Coal successfully. The three factors are air flow, heat source, and fuel. First, there must be air flow and the air must come from the bottom and flow up through the coal. The next necessity is that there must be an already hot source of heat such as a kindling fire or hot charcoal. The last necessity is that there has to be enough Anthracite Coal to burn properly. This system of events occurs over a period of time and must be performed in stages. The first stage is to clear all of the ash to allow correct air flow. The next stage is to create a hot kindling or charcoal fire. And finally, the last stage is to cover the whole grate area one layer at a time with coal, allowing each layer to start burning before applying the next layer.

There are around 13,500 BTU per pound of Anthracite Coal.

Anthracite coal and Bituminous coal are very different. 

Anthracite Coal is a premium type of coal. It is very hard and compact. It is considered the highest quality of coal. It has the least amount of impurities, giving it the name “Clean Coal.” Anthracite coal has no soot residue and produces no smoke when consumed. 

Bituminous Coal is a “soft coal” that contains tar-like particles within the coal. It is dirty to touch as well as burn. Because of these tar-like particles called “bitumen” it leaves soot like residue. It also produces dark smoke full of impurities and bitumen when consumed.

Anthracite Coal is a premium hard clean-burning coal mined out of Pennsylvania. It is one of the most economical fuel and heat sources in the world today. Anthracite coal produces the lowest cost per BTU and more consistent even heat, compared to other fuel sources such as wood pellets, fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, and wood. Anthracite coal burns very warm and clean producing no dirty soot or particle build up. It leaves no residue and produces no smoke.