Thanks everyone for the compliments! I should first start off by saying that while this worked for me your mileage may vary. I am not an expert on burning coal or fireplaces and you should check with an expert fireplace / chimney person, you assume all risks, code requirements bla bla bla.......
What I've been told is a coal fireplace is very shallow. The coal basket is only 9" deep front to back. It is also pretty narrow. The front of the opening is 23 inches wide and it narrows to 18 inches in the back. The bottom of the coal basket also sits a good 6 inches above the floor of the fireplace. Coal needs a lot of oxygen to burn so this height allows more airflow under the coal. The coal basket is made of heavy thick iron to withstand the heat. The coal was Pennsylvania anthracite. Bituminous or Lignite I have been told is easier to start but smokes quite a bit.
From what I have read you should not burn coal in a fireplace that was designed for wood. They are not designed for the amount of heat that coal gives off and could burn through your insert. Some chimney liners are not compatible with coal. A licensed chimney sweep should be able to tell you what you can burn or what the fireplace was designed for.
We looked into gas coals. The company said that even though they were ventless, they would suggest leaving the damper on the fireplace open. Another problem is that the coal basket is so narrow most burners won't fit. I also don't like the idea of them cutting the bottom out of my coal basket. The original summer cover wouldn't fit with a new insert.
Over the last couple years I have had four reputable chimney people come out to give me estimates and all four have inspected the firebox, smoke shelf and chamber and said the fireplace is in prefect shape with no cracks or missing mortar. The chimney is a straight shot up and they have inspected that and said that it is also in perfect working shape. All said to have it inspected and cleaned annually. All four could have had my business (money) but said that everything was in good shape. They also said to have a carbon monoxide detector on every floor since coal puts off a lot of carbon monoxide.
I always make sure that I clean out the fireplace before we leave or go to bed. I have a heavy duty ash pail that I can carry what is left at the end of an evening even if it is still hot out of the house. I never leave anything burning / smoldering in the fireplace overnight.
Like I said at the start, this has worked well for us. I would have someone knowledgeable out to check your stuff out before you do this.
I probably should have gotten rid of the dead poinsettias before taking the picture.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Aaron