Using Coal Dust

New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 361, 24 May 1946, Page 26

Using Coal Dust

Dear Aunt Daisy, I have an accumulation of coal dust in my bin. Could you possibly oblige by giving me a method whereby I could make the dust into a form suitable for the fire? Thank you in advance.

E.M.

W.

, Hutt City.

We must not waste any fuel these days, so try some of the following suggestions: (Continued on next page)

(Continued from previous page) (1) Dissolve 1 handful of washing soda in 2 quarts of water. Pour this over a sackful of coal dust, or slack, and place in paper bags, ready for use when required ‘to bank up a fire. (2) Put in a kerosene tin with enough water to cake it together; add a handful. of sugar, and stir. well. A_ shovelful on a brightly burning fire will last a long time. (3) Coal dust mixed with wet clay makes good brickettes. Let dry-they will burn easily. (4) To each dustpan full of coal dust use I teacup of kerosene; 1% dustpan of sawdust; 5oz. flour; ¥% pint of cold water; and I pint of boiling water. Make a smooth paste of the flour and cold water, stir in the pint of boiling water and boil till it is thick. Put the paste in a pail with the kerosene and mix well, then stir in the sawdust and enough coal dust to make a very stiff mixture. Form into balls, and place on a pe covered tray to dry. (5) Pierce a few small holes in the sides of empty tins, fill these with slack or slightly dampened coal dust. One of these placed in the centre of a fire when it is clear, will throw out a good heat for hours, and save‘a lot of coal.