Imported or Domestic Coal? A Comparison in Numbers

This is the question we hear most: "Should I buy imported or domestic?" The answer is not "which one is better" but "which one is right for your stove and your budget". We sell both, so instead of a sales pitch, here are the official declared figures printed on the bags.

What the numbers say

These values come from the legal declaration tables on the product bags, not from our estimates.

• Imported Siberian (Süper Enerji): 7000-7800 kcal/kg, 18-28% ash, max 0.7% sulphur, 22-65 mm granulation. Origin: Russia.
• Domestic Soma (TKİ Kısrakdere +18): 4800-5200 kcal/kg net calorific value, 12-18% ash, 0.6-1.0% sulphur, +18 mm. Class A1 lignite, TS 711 certified.

Is the heat difference really double?

No. The imported coal's calorific value is roughly 45-50% higher, while the price gap is wider than that. You do not get twice the heat for twice the money.

But calories are not the whole story. With higher-calorie coal you burn less of it for the same warmth — fewer refills, less ash to clear, less storage space. In a small flat or a cramped coal store, that matters.

Watch the ash content

Here is something counter-intuitive: in this case the imported coal has a higher ash content than the domestic one (18-28% vs 12-18%). "Imported" does not automatically mean better in every respect. High-ash coal needs cleaning more often.

So look at the table on the bag, not at the label. Two coals both sold as "imported" can differ considerably.

Why sulphur matters

Sulphur corrodes the flue and stove pipe as it burns, and produces soot. Both coals sit below the legal limit: imported at max 0.7%, domestic at 0.6-1.0%. Lower sulphur is better for your chimney and for air quality.

Which should you choose?

Domestic Soma coal makes sense if budget is your priority, if you have ample storage, if your stove is large and frequent refilling is not a problem, or if you are feeding a central heating system.

Imported Siberian coal makes sense if storage space is tight, if you do not want to refill often, or if overnight burn time matters to you.

Most of our customers use both: domestic during the day, imported at night. Costs stay down and the fire survives until morning.

What to ask when buying

Whichever you buy, ask three things: what is the calorific value, what is the ash content, and is there a conformity certificate. Do not buy from a seller who cannot answer all three. Certificate numbers for all our products are listed on their product pages.