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Choosing between a gas forge and a solid fuel forge is one of the first big decisions a new smith faces. Both will bring steel to a bright orange heat, but they do so in very different ways. The right choice depends on your workspace, your budget, and the kind of work you want to do. This guide compares the two approaches on heat, cost, safety, and suitable projects, so you can make an informed start.

Heat, Speed and Control

A gas forge, typically fuelled by propane or butane, offers instant heat at the turn of a valve. You can reach forging temperatures in a few minutes and welding heat not long after. The atmosphere inside is clean, with no smoke or ash, and you can adjust the air-fuel mixture to run slightly oxidising or reducing. This makes gas forges excellent for repeatable work, such as making a batch of hooks or teaching a class. The heat is also more even across the chamber, which helps when you are learning to read colour.

Solid fuel forges burn coal, coke, or charcoal. They take longer to light and require constant attention: you must build the fire, add fuel, and manage the clinker. But that effort gives you a deep, localised fire that you can shape with a rake or shovel. You can create a reducing atmosphere for forge welding, and the radiant heat from a coal fire feels different—more organic. Charcoal is cleaner than coal but burns faster, so you will use more of it. Coal produces smoke and a distinctive sulphur smell, especially when first lit.

Fuel Costs and Availability

Gas forges have a higher upfront cost: the forge itself, plus a regulator, hose, and bottle. After that, refills are straightforward. In the UK, propane bottles are widely available from garden centres, fuel depots, and some camping shops. A well-insulated gas forge can be surprisingly efficient, using perhaps a few pounds of gas per session. However, if you run it wide open for hours, costs add up quickly.

Solid fuel can be cheaper per heat if you buy in bulk. Blacksmithing coal is available from specialist suppliers, often sold in 25kg bags or by the tonne. But supply can be patchy, and many urban areas are Smoke Control Zones, where burning coal is restricted. Smokeless fuels exist but behave differently. Charcoal is easy to find—lumpwood barbecue charcoal works—but it is more expensive per kilogram and burns away fast. You also need dry storage for solid fuel, as damp coal or charcoal is frustrating to light.

Safety and Workspace Considerations

Gas forges produce carbon monoxide, an invisible and deadly gas. You must work in a well-ventilated space, ideally with a carbon monoxide detector and a CO alarm. Bottles should be stored outside or in a secure, ventilated area, and you should check hoses and connections for leaks with soapy water. The flame itself is quiet, so you may not realise it is lit if you are not looking. Never leave a gas forge unattended.

Solid fuel forges are smoky and sparky. Coal smoke is unpleasant and can annoy neighbours, so you need a chimney or a very open outdoor space. You will also produce ash and clinker, which must be disposed of safely. Sparks can fly several metres, so keep flammables away and have a water bucket and fire extinguisher nearby. Both forge types require eye protection, gloves, and sensible clothing—no synthetic fabrics. With solid fuel, you also risk burns from the fire itself when you rake or add fuel.

Matching the Forge to the Project

Gas forges shine for bladesmithing, small decorative ironwork, and repetitive tasks. If you want to make a dozen bottle openers or practise your hammer blows without fire management, gas is a superb choice. They are also ideal for indoor or urban workshops where smoke would be a problem. Many smiths use a gas forge for heat treating and a solid fuel forge for heavier work.

Solid fuel forges excel at traditional blacksmithing: large scrollwork, forge welding, and creating tools from scratch. The deep fire lets you heat a big mass of steel, and you can locally heat a specific area without bringing the whole piece up to temperature. If you are interested in historical reenactment, Japanese bladesmithing, or simply love the ritual of building a fire, solid fuel is the way to go. Charcoal is particularly good for small, focused forges.

Tradition, Flexibility and the Long Game

There is a romance to solid fuel that gas cannot match. The smell of coal, the roar of the fire, the skill of reading the coals—these connect you to centuries of smiths. Solid fuel is also more flexible: you can burn wood scraps to make charcoal, or switch between coal and charcoal depending on what you have. But gas offers convenience and cleanliness that many modern smiths value. It lets you focus on the hammer and anvil rather than the fire.

My advice? If you have neighbours close by, start with gas. If you have space and a love for tradition, try solid fuel. Many smiths eventually own both, using each for its strengths. Whichever you choose, the important thing is to light it up, heat some steel, and enjoy the craft. The forge is just a tool; your skill is what shapes the metal.