Stoker Virgin, Clearly This Does Not Come Naturally to Me :)

Kevin H · Post by **Kevin H** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 10:03 am

Hello all,
is there anyone out there who is experienced with stokers who would like to come to my house in Denver, PA, to get my 2 stokers started and give me a crash course in using them? I believe the one is an Alaska. I can't get them started and as yet, I don't really understand how they work. I mean, I know how they look and what they do when they're working, but I don't know what keeps the forge from going up into the bin. Anyway suffice to say I'm not comfortable experimenting any more. I've burned a Harman Mark II all last season, but I've never used a stoker, in fact I have only ever seen a couple of them in operation.
Anyone interested may let me know, I would pay for time and travel of course. Thanks!
Kevin

bksaun · Post by **bksaun** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 10:07 am

Offer Beer and they will come!

Bk

Kevin H · Post by **Kevin H** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 10:09 am

FREE UNLIMITED BEER FOR WHOEVER COMES!

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 11:01 am

Darn! Wish you were closer. i'd run them for you all winter with an offer like that!

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 11:56 am

Where's Denver, PA?

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 12:32 pm

WNY wrote:Where's Denver, PA?

A little west of Philly

wlape3 · Post by **wlape3** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 12:39 pm

More like south of Reading, PA. Get some JC Hippy ring bologna and Goods blue label chips while you are out there.

Will

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 2:10 pm

Kevin,

I usually get out that way one day a month but I'm tied up right now.

Any chance you get over towards Pottstown ???? I have a Hyfire II here in the shop I could get YOU to start it up and I'll explain the rest. I also have an Alaska at home in the garage and my SIL has one in her house.

Just bring that case of beer with you...........

Rick

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 3:28 pm

Ah, I see.
Sorry. We are usually at Carlisle/Mechanicsburg in June for the big car show...so that doesn't help you out now.

Not that hard, there is a GRATE that blows AIR up under the coal to keep the fire burning on the grate, the fire will not go up into the hopper if everything is working correctly. There should be some type of Rheostat or Thermostat to control the temp/speed of the system. Maybe post a pic or two then more people can help or get the data off the plate if there is one on the back of the stove.

You need some charcoal, or Coal Mice to get it started, (refer to the threads on coal mice). once started, it should maintain itself as long you have coal in the hopper and you empty the ashes.....

tsb · Post by **tsb** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 8:03 pm

Kevin,

I live in the Douglassville area. I got a Leisure Line Pioneer last Feb.
Starting it for the first time WAS a bit of a shock. It seemed to be
a little more active than I expected. It took about an hour until I was
comfortable that it was going to calm down and behave it self.
I could take a run out to your place next weekend, but not this weekend.
If you don't have any luck, send a PM.

Tom

jim d · Post by **jim d** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 8:49 pm

hey kev you could always call alaska give them the model ## then they could fax or e mail the manuel that came with the stove/stoker orignally just a thought but that way you can keep the beer

Kevin H · Post by **Kevin H** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 9:31 pm

Thanks guys, all good advice. I wound up doing it with a coal mouse and making the coal delivery guy hold my hand until I felt safe lol.

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 9:58 pm

That's great! However you still owe us all a beer!

009to090 · Post by **009to090** » Tue. Oct. 06, 2009 10:10 pm

Here-here !

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Wed. Oct. 07, 2009 9:10 am

Jim, Jim, Jim,

That really is not cool to potentially screw someone out of beer.

:box: :whip:

Kevin was offering it from the goodness of his heart and you throw a monkey wrench into the plans. I for one was seriously considering driving out to see him just for the beer and now you go ruin it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the future, please keep those thoughts and suggestions like that to yourself.

Hey just kidding.

Glad to hear Kevin is back on track.

Rick

Stoker Virgin, Clearly This Does Not Come Naturally to Me :)

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