Went with a gas forge over a coal one for my home setup

I was stuck for about two weeks trying to decide between a gas forge and a coal forge for my little backyard shop. Picked the gas one because I heard it was way cleaner and easier to control temp for a beginner like me. Got a single burner Devil Forge off a buddy for $150 and fired it up last weekend. Made my first set of bottle openers from some rebar and the heat was super even, no cold spots like I was worried about. Only thing is I miss that old school coal smell and the spark show, but the neighbors probably appreciate me not smoking out the whole block. Anyone else start with gas and wish they went coal instead?

3 comments

3 Comments

janab821mo ago

Gas forge is just my excuse for setting things on fire safely.

david7391mo ago

And honestly that's the best kind of excuse. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of building something just so you can watch it burn in a controlled way. I've been messing around with a small propane forge in my garage and it scratches that primal itch without burning down the neighborhood. The heat, the sound, the way metal starts to glow orange - it's addictive. You get to feel like a mad scientist but with a clear conscience because you've got all the safety stuff dialed in.

graym491mo ago

Jump right in and say I actually went the OPPOSITE direction and I'm kinda regretting it. I started with a gas forge because everyone said it was easier, but after a year I keep catching myself romanticizing the coal setup. There's just something about feeding the fire yourself, watching the coke form, and getting that hotter, more controllable heat for welding that gas can't touch. @janab82 I get the safe fire excuse but sometimes I want the messy, dirty, real deal even if it means the neighbors side eye me a little.