Setting up your first forge

Coal forge is the traditional path and there's a lot to love about it , the fire management skill you develop is real, you can reach forge-welding temps more reliably and there's something about working coal that connects you to the craft. But gas is far more accessible for most people: easier to start, temperature control is simpler, no sourcing coal, and apartment/suburban smiths can run a small propane forge without the smoke situation.

For a beginner, I'd recommend gas unless you have a mentor who runs coal and can teach you fire management. You'll spend more time learning to smith and less time fighting your fire.

Coal teaches you more about fire but gas lowers the barrier enough that you can actually focus on hammer control and material work. For most beginners, that tradeoff makes a lot of sense.