Fireboxes: I purchased an exterior portable fire box that sits on the deck. Do I use coals or wood in to burn in the fire box.

I'm guessing wood because it is more common than coal, but without knowing what you bought I can't be sure. Do you know the brand and model number? Any instructions with it.

I bought it as a display---the metal insert (bowl) appears to burn coal but not sure. The retailer didn't have the instructions. Thanks

Does it have any kind of manufacturer name on it, any info? I'm still thinking it is wood because coal burns so dirty.

No MFG on it anywhere. If coal burns dirty I'll use wood--Thanks

As long as it's outside in the open air with plenty of ventilation you can burn anything. Cow chips, charcoal, mesquite and juniper, corn cobs, junkmail and logs made of rolled up newspaper, those wood pellets that come in bags. The original model back in the 50's was simply a wheelbarrow with sand in it to protect the bottom from burning out. Always leave about an inch of ashes in the bottom or get one of those little metal grates to protect the bottom of it and keep it dry, wood ashes and water will make it rust really fast. Cast iron lasts a lot longer than plate steel but is a lot heavier. If I'm not going to burn mine for a while I spray it with WD40 to protect it from rust.

Thanks wildandblue...

If this is what I picture, a metal bowl on legs with two wheels, you should put in about 4" of sand in the bowl if you want to burn coal. Coal gets hot enough to cause the metal bowl to fail if there is no bed of ash or sand. Most people like to crackle of wood and won't like the smell of coal but that just my thinking.