I finally gave in and tried a propane forge after years of coal

I've been burning coal in a side blast forge for like 8 years now at my shop. Always thought propane forges were for people who didn't want to do real blacksmithing. Then I did a weekend workshop at a place in Portland that only uses propane and man, I was wrong. The heat control is way more consistent and I didn't have to deal with clinkers or ash every 20 minutes. Has anyone else made the switch and actually stuck with it?

3 comments

3 Comments

henry6041mo agoMost Upvoted

That line about "real blacksmithing" really hit home, I felt the exact same way for years. I finally tried a propane setup at a buddy's place last spring and it was like night and day not having to chase the fire or dig out clinkers every few heats. The consistent heat made my hammer control way better too, I actually felt like I could focus on the steel instead of the fire management.

daniel85724d ago

Now you just need a coal setup for when the propane tank runs out at 9pm.

rileyellis1mo ago

Forty years with coal and I still prefer the heat character and control I get from a real fire over a gas burner.