Shopping 4 a Stoker Sticker Shock

pelletsrevil · Post by **pelletsrevil** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 12:52 pm

We have decided to go with a coal stoker. My question is this,is the Harman worth the huge price difference? We like the Reading Juanita,$1700.00 the Harman Magnum,$2700.00 and I'm waiting for the Alaska dealer to call me back so we have not yet looked or priced them.
I already got my arse handed to me by a wood pellet stove so I really want to do some homework here.We will be heating a 2500sq ft ranch from the basement,there is chimney already there from the previous owners wood burner.
Are there any other brands we should be considering? I'm trying the brands that are within driving distance,so far these are the ones the dealers by me carry.
Any and all help is much appreciated. Thank You

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 1:24 pm

What kind of fuel do you currently use? Is it hot water baseboard or forced air?

pelletsrevil · Post by **pelletsrevil** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 1:51 pm

propane hot air around $700.00 a month

beatle78 · Post by **beatle78** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 1:54 pm

I would loook at Leisure Line stoves. I've never had one, but they come with coal-trol (very efficient heating controller). The other brands you have to pay extra for the coal-trol.

Go to the main level of this website. There is a Leisure Line link under manufacturer's.

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 2:28 pm

Leisure Line for a couple of reasons. Nice design, the coal-trol is standard instead of an option. Optional heat jackets
allow you to plumb into your existing furnace. Money wise, considering all the options and standard stuff, they provide
the best value. The Pocono has your name on it! Good Luck!

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 2:49 pm

And Jerry from Leisure Line on here is great support! I love my Hyfire.

tsb · Post by **tsb** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 5:03 pm

Leisure Line. Set it up, set the time, push de button and off you go.

Dutchman · Post by **Dutchman** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 5:48 pm

pelletsrevil, sent you a PM

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 5:57 pm

I'd look at at LL also and would not overlook Keystoker. If you already have a FHA system, you might want to take advantage of a Koker. EFM makes an excellent hot air unit also. Spend the time reading here on the forum BEFORE you go shopping. Is Harman worth the extra money? Got you butt handed to you once, wanna go for #2. Their profits don't seem to go into customer service training!

I wonder how many pellet stoves will be for sale this spring.........Want to bet if there will be anything like AA, AHS, EFM, Keystoker comparables in 50 years. (in pellet stoves that is) My vote says it won't happen.

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 8:51 pm

I've heard the Reading's aren't as efficient as others.

I've never regretted buying an upgrade....but I have regretted not. ( told to me by a car salesman)

I'd look hard at Leisureline and Keystoker. Either one will save you big money over buying propane.

jpen1 · Post by **jpen1** » Tue. Feb. 24, 2009 9:44 pm

I think the harmans are over priced and I don't think the reading is going to be able to do the job as far as BTU's are concerned. I think a leisure line Hyfire II witrh a hot air jacket) or a keystoker koker are your best bets because they can be hooked into you existing duct work and can be had for a price similarto that of the harman.

raidershane2 · Post by **raidershane2** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 9:46 am

I would also check the weight on some of these stoves,I have found some are very light,by 200 lbs.,than of the higher quality ones,the Harman that I am looking at is 500lbs,Ive seen them as low as 275 lbs,I would like more steel between me and my hot coal bed

Post by **Richard S.** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 10:01 am

Heavier steel != does not equal quality , at least in most cases. (For you non-nerds != literally means does not equal). I think Jerry from Leisure Line which uses a lighter steel and is an excellent product has the best explanation. They use the lighter steel for better efficiency, using a heavier steel would certainly add to the cost but overall it's not a significant amount when compared to other costs like fabrication. e.g they don't necessarily do it as a cost saving measure.

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 10:36 am

The lighter steel of the LL does have an engineering bonus. For me biggest bonus of the lighter steel is .......you can move it! No small consideration when shipping, displaying and installing. Make no mistake, they are not that much lighter.
Very stout units. I have a Pioneer that is undersized for the space I am using it for. Running flat out for 4 months now, not
a blip. The stoker unit itself is elegant in it's simplicity, which makes it SPOT ON reliable. Coal is wet? Not a problem. Easy
to service and clean, just really does not get any better.
I recommended the Pocono only because I am heating a similar space with the same size burner in my house. It does a nice
job and I am not effectively moving the heat around either. With proper duct work, may even be over kill. As far as pricing,
I believe they are the best value out there in a stoker. Good Luck!

Dutchman · Post by **Dutchman** » Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 3:06 pm

there's no such thing as a "light" coal stove, no matter the brand

. The important point is "how well" that steel is cared for by the owner- a super-thick steel will rot out just as completely as thinner steel, if you neglect it the right way for long enough...