Coal Forge vs Gas Forge

A lot of people have been asking about Coal Forge vs Gas Forge…

I thought it might be a great time to discuss and explain what i think are the pros and cons of both types of forge. In my honest opinion there really is no need for comparison – they both serve different purposes but if you are wondering which to buy to suit your work or hobby then i will try and give an honest, impartial view of the pros and cons.

I will be uploading a video shortly about the differences between the two. For now though, I found a post from this website:
http://www.spaco.org/Blacksmithing/CoalForgeVsGasForge.htm 

Here, the author lists a few pros and cons for coal vs gas forges:

Coal Forge Pros:

  • coal forges don’t use much fuel when idling
  • coal forges don’t make any noise when idling and they make very little noise when being blown
  • coal forges don’t require pressurized gases
  • It’s not a zero hazard, however coal forges present less of a CO hazard than gas forges might.
  • coal forges with blowers can use hand cranked blowers, meaning that you can forge in places that don’t have electricity available
  • coal forges are more traditional
  • coal forges get hotter than gas forges


Coal Forge Cons:

  • coal forges, when run improperly can be smokey and maybe smelly. Could produce a problem with neighbors
  • coal forges take more expertise to run. We teach fire management first because of this.
  • coal forges indoors require a well designed chimney (10 inch min diameter)for proper operation.
  • coal forges are dirtier to operate.
  • coal forges have to be cleaned out and have clinker, coal and coke separated after each use.

Gas Forge Pros:

  • gas forges are relatively clean to operate
  • gas forges don’t take a lot of training to use
  • gas forges are more neighbor-friendly
  • gas forge fuel, usually propane, is all contained in a pressurized cylinder so no mess.
  • gas forges usually don’t need a chimney.— but they DO need ventilation
  • gas forges don’t require constant maintenance while they are running.

Gas Forge Cons:

  • gas forges are noisy, whether in use for heating or when idling, because they usually (but not always) idle at full power
  • gas forges radiate a lot more heat at the operator and into the room than coal forges do.
  • gas forges have been around a long time in industry, but the “public” doesn’t see the gas forge as the tool of the “smith under the chestnut tree”
  • gas forges can be sources of carbon monoxide poisoning, so ventilation is always a vital concern.
  • gas forges can be cantankerous. One can forge weld in some of them but not in others.