Great tip Denny, and a nice looking stove.
I heat my shop with an Army Cannon Heater #20. Wood in the spring and fall and coal in the winter.
A good coal fire is good when you have to weld some cast iron. I nestle the part into the coal until I get the right color then drop it on the bench and weld the repair, then right back into the coal until the part is evenly hot. It will air cool with out any chance of cracking.
