First off, not all coal is created equal. You’ve got lignite, which is basically a soggy, low-energy brown lump—it burns at a cooler 1,200°F (650°C). Then there’s anthracite, the hard, shiny king of coals—it can hit a scorching 2,000°F (1,100°C) in a good draft. The difference? Carbon content and moisture, my friend. More carbon equals more heat; more moisture equals more steam and less fire.
Let’s be honest: nobody is measuring their coal fire with a thermometer. You judge by color—a glowing cherry red is around 1,300°F, while a blinding white-hot center is pushing 2,200°F. It’s like a mood ring for a dragon’s belly.
