Coal vs gas in winter changes in efficiency or control when the temperatures drop

[Alan]

You’ve been out there braving the cold, observing your setup, and thinking, Hmm… that’s not quite how it worked last month. Maybe the coal is taking its sweet time to respond, or perhaps the gas feels a bit more responsive. Or could it be that winter just throws everything off?

Is anyone else experiencing shifts in efficiency or control when the temps fall? Share your observations and any tweaks you’ve made!

 

[thedailygrind]

I've noticed that my coal forge takes a lot longer to heat up when it’s freezing outside. So, I started preheating the air pipe a bit, and that really helps.

 

[anvilabuser]

I’m definitely noticing some changes. My propane forge actually runs hotter in the cold, which took me by surprise. Back in Nevada, I’d just tweak the choke a bit, and things would balance out. Still getting used to this wetter climate.

 

[Tempered3dge]

Winter always messes with me. When I was working in a drafty shed in Utah, I had to insulate the back wall just to keep my forge temperature steady. Now, I warm up the shop for about 20 minutes before lighting anything. It really makes a difference.