Thinking of Buying a Harman Magnum
Hello Everyone, I am thinking of buying a Harman Magnum stoker, any one out there have one of these beast's and if so how do you like it? Give me the good, the bad and the ugly point's of these stove's.
- Highlander
- Member
- Posts: 217
- Joined: Tue. Dec. 05, 2006 9:48 pm
- Location: Highland Lakes NJ
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Harman VF3000 Sold
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Vermont Castings Resolute
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
Hello Theo
They are very good stoves, rugged and reliable. I had one that was 10 years old, I rebuilt it, and used it for a season. I was amazed how much heat that thing could produce. I ended up selling it after getting a Harman boiler which uses the same stoker unit.
The Magnum is heavy, built with 1/4" plate steel, I think it weighs in at about 540# so have some friends ready to move it. The hopper holds about 100# so its good for a day or two in the cold weather, longer when its warmer. The stove puts out most of its heat through forced convection with a large bower so it can be fairly noisey in the room its placed in.
Also, the large window is great for viewing the fire, but doesn't stay clean very long and tends to get permanently frosted especially if you fire it hard.
They are very good stoves, rugged and reliable. I had one that was 10 years old, I rebuilt it, and used it for a season. I was amazed how much heat that thing could produce. I ended up selling it after getting a Harman boiler which uses the same stoker unit.
The Magnum is heavy, built with 1/4" plate steel, I think it weighs in at about 540# so have some friends ready to move it. The hopper holds about 100# so its good for a day or two in the cold weather, longer when its warmer. The stove puts out most of its heat through forced convection with a large bower so it can be fairly noisey in the room its placed in.
Also, the large window is great for viewing the fire, but doesn't stay clean very long and tends to get permanently frosted especially if you fire it hard.
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- Member
- Posts: 3555
- Joined: Tue. Sep. 04, 2007 10:14 pm
- Location: Dalton, MA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: H.B. Smith 350 Mills boiler/EFM 85R stoker
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/anthracite
I agree with Highlander's points. I think the Harman stoker generally has a thicker bed of burning coal than the Alaskas I've had, so it seems to hold the fire longer when there is a power outage. The distribution blower is noticeable, but to me it's reasonable given the capability of the stove. And try not to drop it on your foot.
If you'd consider a used one, I've got one listed under "Items for Sale".
Mike
If you'd consider a used one, I've got one listed under "Items for Sale".
Mike
- Bulldogr6
- Member
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sat. Mar. 15, 2008 3:15 pm
- Location: Western Mass
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harmon Magnum
- Baseburners & Antiques: Station Agent 24
- Coal Size/Type: Rice & Nut
This is my first season with my Mag so far its been great. The blower is not an issue for me as the unit is in the basement but its really not that loud. Its simple to run and I don't see much that could go wrong.
Theo, I am the one who bought "Highlanders" Mag. Great stove. No question. If you pressed me the only problem I have ever had (and really it was my fault) was that a few times I would dump a bag of coal in it and find out that it was much wetter than normal. This would clog up in the bottem of the hopper and the stoker would not push very much coal. Again this is my fault. Damp coal is fine but Wet coal is a big no no. Even Harmons booket reads "DO NOT USE WET COAL".
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- Member
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- Joined: Wed. Dec. 24, 2008 7:48 pm
ii own a Harman magnum, I have piped in outside air for my combustion blower, the heat output is nothing short of amazing, runs for months at a time emptying the ash once a day and topping the hopper off daily. blower is noticeable but not extreme. wet coal is a no no, do yourself a favor and install a single pole on/off switch on the wall to turn the unit off while you empty the ash. makes life much easier. in my opinion Harman magnum is the finest stove on the market,