New Guy With Questions on Appropriate Stove Selection

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sourbeer
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Post by sourbeer » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 12:33 pm

ok, new guy here with an introduction and some questions. I'll probably post a duplicate post on the hand fed forum as I'm not for certain which type of stove I need or would best suit me. I currently burn a wood stove, Englander 30 - big freestanding stove and a Jotul 118cb before that. I have a 2200 square foot home that I heat almost exclusively with this stove. Looking to do the same with the use of a coal stove to alleviate the hassle and storage requirements of wood.

some background information - the stove will not be tied into my forced air ductwork for my AC and oil fired furnace. I desire a freestanding stove that will occupy the space on my brick hearth in my den which is located in the finished lower level of my bi-level house. The den has a sitting area with TV located pretty closely to the hearth. I currently do not have a fan on my woodstove, radiant heat only with some use of ceiling fans in this area to circulate air somewhat. I have a 6" flue pipe (red terracotta pipe through wall) leading to a brick chimney lined with a square terracotta type liner.

I have read and done a number of searches on the forum, and I hope to go look at some stoves (Hitzer and Alaskan), I've seen a couple Harmans at a local dealer as well.

My concerns/desires: I want this to be a primary source of heat for most of the heating season. I need to be able to throttle back the stove for the 45 - 50 degree times, decreasing output and fuel consumption. I want the stove to be reasonably suitable for living space, not too noisy, dusty, or ugly. any recommendations that you have to meet these requirements? obviously, i'm planning for next year but like to do these things in advance.

 
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coalkirk
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Post by coalkirk » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 12:53 pm

Well as you already know, a bi-level is an excellent design for whole house heating with a stove as you describe. The questions you need to ak yourself is how often or infrequent would you like to tend the stove. There are good hand fed and stoker stoves that would fit your need. A Harman mag stoker would be my choice. It has a variable output from 5k to 85k BTU and is controlled via a wall mounted thermostat. It holds 100 lbs. of rice coal and feeds itself as needed. It would require the least attention and give you the most control in my opinion. They arn't cheap but are built very well and will last many years. You will read things about Harmans poor customer service and they are true. But frankly once this stove is installed you won't need any.

 
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coaledsweat
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Post by coaledsweat » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 2:11 pm

sourbeer wrote:ok, new guy here with an introduction and some questions. I'll probably post a duplicate post on the hand fed forum as I'm not for certain which type of stove I need or would best suit me.
Please, no double posts. I am moving this to the stove forum, it should get a better response there.

 
billlindley
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Post by billlindley » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 2:54 pm

coalkirk wrote:Well as you already know, a bi-level is an excellent design for whole house heating with a stove as you describe. The questions you need to ak yourself is how often or infrequent would you like to tend the stove. There are good hand fed and stoker stoves that would fit your need. A Harman mag stoker would be my choice. It has a variable output from 5k to 85k BTU and is controlled via a wall mounted thermostat. It holds 100 lbs. of rice coal and feeds itself as needed. It would require the least attention and give you the most control in my opinion. They arn't cheap but are built very well and will last many years. You will read things about Harmans poor customer service and they are true. But frankly once this stove is installed you won't need any.
Reading also makes a nice Radiant stove. I have the Lehigh and after getting past osme intial issues It works well. Max Output is 85,000 BTU and it is nice to look at if it. Depending on what site you are on it is said to handle anywhere from 1,800 - 2,000 sq feet. I have a 1324 sq ft rancher and I leave the stove in the baement it keeps the house very comfortable.


 
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grizzly2
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Post by grizzly2 » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 5:01 pm

The Hitzer 50-93 is rated to heat up to 2500 sq. ft. Gravity hopper fed for less stoking. Their website says their stoves should have an 8" chimney, yet my 30-95 has a 6" flue outlet. I like my Hitzer a lot.

Alaska Kodiak is supposed to heat up to 3000 Sq. ft. Also gravity fed hopper. Holds 100 pounds of coal.

I recommend a gravity fed hopper for convenience if you want heat without electricity and a stoker if ease of use is more important than operating without electricity would be. :)

 
CapeCoaler
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Post by CapeCoaler » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 5:28 pm

D S Machine Stove.
Hopper fed no electric.
90+k btu

 
sourbeer
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Post by sourbeer » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 8:10 pm

I'm going to look at some Hitzers tomorrow at a dealer. Specifically the 50-93. I will probably check out some stokers and the alaska kodiaks. I like idea of the stokers with the continuous operation without maintenance and the controllable nature of their operation. I don't like the idea of not being able to have heat without electricity as well as the noise (i've not heard yet myself to know for sure) in my den while watching TV. Seems that the Hitzer 50-93 can be had very reasonably, while the Stokers are almost double the price.

 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Thu. Mar. 12, 2009 8:18 pm

Somehow I think I got lost on the other double post and I don't know if you got it.

There is also another older stove manufacture, Chubby Stove http://www.chubbystove.com, that may interest you. It can also be fired without electricity and the prices are very reasonable. I think depending on the model and options, one can be had for just under $1000.00. :idea: :) There is a video that you can get through the website to view the operation of a Chubby Stove too.

Just another thought. :idea: :)


 
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baldeagle
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Post by baldeagle » Fri. Mar. 13, 2009 10:22 am

Sourbeer -- Agree with some of the others on main points but would like to emphasize that all of the gravity
stokers ie. Hitzer, Kodiak and more are very quiet and may often be ordered with/without a fan. Using the
available reastat control setting at "low" you will not hear them/ they will not interfere with music or TV. The
security of knowing we have heat with or without electricity is an added bonus. We have good friends using
an Alaska "Channing" that does excellent service for there location but with the power vent kit it is much
louder than silent! Best, baldeagle

 
sourbeer
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Post by sourbeer » Fri. Mar. 13, 2009 12:50 pm

since the manufacturer of DS machine stoves is actually less than an hour from my house, I'm going to take a ride up there and see what he has to offer. I am also going to look at the Hitzer stoves. The prices of the DS machine stoves seems extremely reasonable. Not many pics or information available on them that I've been able to find with the exception of the dealer in NY, altheating.

 
sourbeer
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Post by sourbeer » Fri. Mar. 13, 2009 11:05 pm

Stopped by the DS machine shop this afternoon. Their stoves look well made, seem reasonably priced and they were able to show me quite a few different stoves. They also quite a number of stoves. I really don't know enough to compare them to others just yet. Gravity feed hopper style stoves in the 90k BTU range were around $1100 - 1200. I got a couple of brochures that I'll try to scan. Hoping to get out tomorrow to the Hitzer dealer to see the 50-93.

 
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coal berner
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Post by coal berner » Sat. Mar. 14, 2009 2:39 am

Here are a few more stove companies to look at
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http://www.bakerstoves.com/
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http://www.hitzer.com/products/
**Broken Link(s) Removed**http://www.leisurelinestoves.com/
**Broken Link(s) Removed**http://www.readingstove.com/coal_stoves.html
**Broken Link(s) Removed**http://www.vermontcastings.com/content/products/p ... y=16&sc=47

http://www.nutec-castings.com/profile.htm

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