Hi Jenny, we use to have the coal inside the house next to the back door. So we kept a bucket in there and just brought the coal in when needed. We use to call it the coal hole. love Malcolm. xxx Does anyone remember the black Valour stove? we had one on very cold nights, it gave a pattern on the ceiling and a smell of its own My job was to fill the coal bucket, unfortunately I had a very bad tempered mother who would shout if I or my brothers did not notice that the damn bucket was empty. Thank goodness for central heating. Jenny C