Middletown transcript., 1902-10-11
How TO BURN
SOFT COAL
Large Quantities Will Be Used
This Winter in Place of
Anthracite
ONLY DANGER IS FROM SCOT

Il =
1t is quite a aproblem in Middletown as
elsewhere, what fnetto use this winter in
place Of hard coal. Hard coal, at present
is impossible to obtain at any price and
some substitute is necessary that viii in
manner take its place. Although a large
proportion ef households viii burn wood
land it is preferable to soft coal in many
ways soft coal will have to be used in
ranges to keep fire over night to prevent
freezing of water pipes and it will be
largely used in furnaces.
The Scientific american advises the use
of bituminous coal as the cheapest and
most satisfactory substitute for anthracite
for the above purposes. There is no
quality in soft coal which renders it unfit
for domestic use. Indeed, as matter OF
fact, practically no other fuel is used, or
has been used for domestic purposes in
Great Britain, and while the cooking
ranges differ somewhat in design from
those used in this country for anthracite
coal, it will be quite possible for the
householder, by using little judgment,
TO burn soft coal to advantage in the or
dinary American cooking stove.
The most important fact to remember
is that the great quantities of gas thrown
off when soft coal is first ignited render it
necessary to supply considerable more air
above the bed of fuel than is the case
with anthracite coal Thus, in replenish-
ing the kitchen stove, it will not do to
fill the CRATE entirely full of fresh fuel,
since this would result in the rapid low
ering Of the oven temperature, which
would not be restored until the mass had
become ignited andsthe gases had been
somewhat burned off. 1t will be found
that the best method ID to feed smeIl
quantities Of fuel to the fire at freqacnt
intervals keeping the lower drafts closed
more than they would be in burning an
thracite coal and keeping the upper draft
constantly open. For use in the heating
furnace, soft coal will be found to give
good results when once the proper mani
pulation OF the furnace has been learned.
1t should be understood at the outse.
that more constant attention will be nee
essary, for the reason that soft coal burns
more quickly and viii not remain incan-
descent for SO long a time as anthracite
coal
During the daytime the attendant will
have no difficulty in keeping steady fire
# he is careful to feed the furnace fre-
Iuently, to keep the bottom drafts but
slightly open, and to give a liberal feed Of
'ir through the air inlet in the furnace
ioor. Owing to the rapidity Of combus-
ion of bituminous coal, it will not be
possible to bank up the furnace for the
light and leave.it with a certainty that
here will be live fire remaining in the
morning; but this difssulty can be over
ONE if small quantity of anthracite
an be obtained and used only for bank
ng up the fire over night. If it cannot
e had, little practice may obviate the
rouble in the majority of cases.
There is one feature connected with the
Sc of soft coal, however, which, unless
be carefully safeguarded, may introduce
n element of danger. We refer to the
eavy deposit of SCOT in the fiues which
ill occur when soft coal is used. This
'ot, unless it is swept out at stated inter-
ais, will accumulate, and being infam-
liable would be liable to ignite and pro.
uce fierce fire in the chimney, with q
'nsequent risk to the dwelling. II
'metimes happens that tse ends Of raf-
RS or beams are by cal es ignorant
instruction, allowed to pr into the
limney fues. These might Become is-
ted and carry fire to the interior Of the
6nse. There is further danger that the
lower Of sparks srsm burning CHM
ey would ignite the shingle ro9f. These
SKIS may be obyiafed BY sweeping fIiez
nimney say once in two months Fnr-
1ermore, clogged chimneys and pipes
lean that this SCOT and smoke may get
Ito the house and play havoc with fufni-
Ire, draperies, etc. Before commencing
, use soft coal it is essential that the
nimneys and pipes leading from all stoves
g thoroughly Gleansed.