Irish Govt ensure only expensive low heat Polish coal is available.

[junius]

Am I correct in thinking these are hot to touch and require a fireguard?

Of course they're hot - I think they're less dangerous than an open fire and they are hugely more efficient in terms of heat given off, which is their purpose after all. They don't require a fireguard at all - no coals to fall out on the hearth or anything. Kids will learn very quickly to stay clear - most of them are not stupid! Just warn them it is probably too hot for them to touch and 99% of them will avoid it assiduously and very quickly gauge the distance most appropriate to get the most heat from it if they feel cold. I thought Field Marshal was trying to helpful for once but now I know he is just the kind of old fusspot children hate cos he thinks they're daft!

These solid fuel stoves are the best thing ever!

[The Field Marshal]

What? Can you not buy it somewhere else? Black Diamond coal is the biggest selling brand in Ireland
It's sold by Bord na Móna Fuels. They sell Grade A anthracite.

Born na Mona are a rip off company selling sub standard fuel products.

I recently purchased a heap of crap from them called FireMagic "the faster way to a fuller fire everywhere" 3euros and 99 cent for just 4 largish fire lighters which are supposed to set your fire ablaze.

Worthless and a complete swindle.
Do not every buy that product.

I also bought the crap they called Black Diamond and it is not the genuine article of about 10 years ago.

BNM are a government company and are implementing the low heat coal policies of Irish governments.

They are not to be trusted and have a virtual monopoly on the Irish solid fuels market.

[Clanrickard]

Such stoves can be a far greater fire hazard and also greater burn hazard to young children.
I agree they are efficient.

An open fire in a fireplace is a very traditional and delightful source of comfort on a cold winters night.

That Irish governments are preventing people from accessing good quality coal to heat such fires properly is a disgrace.

The Polish coal that is available is expensive and its virtually all rubbish having only a slightly greater heat output than briquettes.

That you think Polish coal is marginally hotter than Briquettes shows you are talking out your posterior. Also if you want a "delightful source of comfort" then you pay more for the privilege of emitting poisonous gases into the atmosphere. There are more environmentaly friendly ways of heating.

Im discussing the exothermic chemical reaction of burning coal.
The speed at which it burns is a separate matter.

The greater the sulphuor the higher the temperature.
British coal has a much greater sulphur content than Polish coal and thats why it is hotter.
.

And burns quicker thus using up your coal quicker.. That is why high sulphur coal is used in coal burning stations as it burns quicker. Polish coal burns slower and for longer and you get more bang for your buck. There is a reason why it is the biggest selling type of coal in Ireland. Applying your logic we should have more chemicals in coal as this would make it hotter. Also there is an EU directive coming up which will further reduce the amount of sulphur on coal lessening your delight but ensuring we breath cleaner air.

[Clanrickard]

They are not to be trusted and have a virtual monopoly on the Irish solid fuels market.

There are plenty of companies selling coal. Hayes, Staffords, Galtee I could go but even you get the message.

[Frank Galton]

Rows over payments to foreigners (land annuities then, bonds now), dodgy Polish coal and Europe in crisis.... it's the 1930s all over again!

[Norman Bates]

Haven't noticed a great deterioration in the quality of coal recently. But I usually mix the coal with briquettes/logs and it goes grand for the 6 hours or so I usually put it on in winter while watching tv. But it's more a cozy sight rather than heat producing as in really bad weather I have the gas central heating to turn on.[And I can't get slack anywhere].

[publicrealm]

Finding it hard to heat your house with an open fire ?

Thank successive highly restricitve policies from Irish government that ensures only expensive low sulphur low heat Polish coal is available in the 26 counties.

The people in NI wont have to freeze because they can still purchase decent quality coal there ]

I will continue to burn good Catholic coal. Being hot inflames the baser passions.

[The Field Marshal]

There are plenty of companies selling coal. Hayes, Staffords, Galtee I could go but even you get the message.

What message?

Tell me where I can source high sulphur content non Polish coal in the ROI and I will listen to you.

I am looking to the North for help and would be surprised if no high temperature British sourced burning coal was available there.

I note you still evade the critical question of coal burning temperatures.

[Clanrickard]

What message?

Tell me where I can source high sulphur content non Polish coal in the ROI and I will listen to you.

I am looking to the North for help and would be surprised if no high temperature British sourced burning coal was available there.

I note you still evade the critical question of coal burning temperatures.

You cannot get high sulphur coal because it is banned due to environmental reasons and rightly so. I answered you question about coal temperatures if you read my post carefully.

[Tweek]

Funnily enough I can get the coal you're wittering about at any outlet in this town, except the Esso garage who appear to think we're in Dublin.