Alaska Liberty stove is it a good stove?

mstriker · By: **mstriker** On: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:50 am

I new to coal burning and I was checking out the Alaska Liberty stove
does anybody have any coments or advice?
My house is about 1800sqft 2 stories and the primary heat is a heat pump.
I wanted to put this stove in my basement and was hoping to heat most of
the house with by just turning my recirc. fan in the heat pump.
I love in PA North of Lebanon.
Thanks for any help
Mike

traderfjp · By: **traderfjp** On: Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:54 pm

I have the Alaska Channing 3 which is similar to the stove you want to buy. I have nothing but good things to say about the stove and the customer service at Alaska. The Channing has one of the smallest footprints of any coal stove which was a major attraction and it has been trouble free since day one. I have a 2 story house that is about 2000 sq. ft. and the stove has plenty of head room for the clodest days. I live in NY and have only turned the thermostat up half way on several 20 degree nights. I would, however, suggest that you install the stove on the first floor. Coal dust and fumes are a non-issue. The stove is very clean to run. Much cleaner and less work than wood. The only pain is the ash from the burnt coal. It is very dusty but if you're careful when you empty the coal pan you wouldn't have any problems. It's a bit of a chore emptying the ash pan since you have to do it every two days for an average fire. If you put the stove in the basement you'll have to run it on a higher temp and that will mean much more coal and ash. You could even consider a coal boiler if you must place it in the basement. This is the first year with coal and I love how toasty it keeps my home.

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Wed Feb 28, 2007 9:55 pm

traderfjp wrote: You could even consider a coal boiler if you must place it in the basement.

That would be your best bet, and make it a good stoker too.

Cleanest, lowest cost to operate, automatic and low maintenance. Bonus is the scads of hot water for zip. You'll have a grin the undertaker can't get off.

traderfjp · By: **traderfjp** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 2:19 am

Mike: You're very lucky to live in PA where coal is mined. You'll heat your house for much less than oil or gas. I pay about 240.00 a ton for rice that is bagged. I'm sure you can get it for about half in bulk. let us know how you make out.

mstriker · By: **mstriker** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:05 am

Traderfjp: I have do have a spot on the first floor that I could put the stove. Just have to talk the wife into putting it there. I talked to the supplier earlier today I can get a ton of rice coal for 160$ a ton if I pick
it up.

mstriker · By: **mstriker** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:24 am

Do these stoves need to be shaked? My concern with having it on
the first floor is the dust My wife would not be happy about that. I could put a lid on the ash pan would that help?

Complete Heat · By: **Complete Heat** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:35 am

Mike,

The Liberty is a stoker, and therefore does not need to be shaken down. I would also recommend putting it on the first floor, this way all the heat is being delivered to the living area.
A lid will take care of all your problems, just be sure you put it on as soon as you can. Also, if you are buying the coal in bulk, you will want to wet it down so there is no dust when you load the hopper.

Mike

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 8:47 am

If you go with a stove, the first floor makes more sense. Either way, make sure it's a stoker.

jpen1 · By: **jpen1** On: Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:53 pm

I have a Channing III as well, and I love the stove. The liberty has the same stoker unit as mine. Do you have a chimney or are you going to power vent the stove ? There is one thing to keep in mind a bottom vent channing like mine will be far more efficient than either the liberty or the top vent channing, ie. less heat out the exhaust. Also if you buy the stove order a coal trol basic or basic plus you will be able to regulate your heat better. You can dress up the channing with brass and a cast top. The first floor is the way to go and you can get an extra ash pan and if you take a squeeze garden sprayer and wet down the ashes in the pan as you pull it out you will get hardly any dust into the air. The same goes for when you dump in the coal dampen it and there will be no dust. The only mess you will see is a little ash on your floor protector from takeing the pan out. This can be stopped by vacuuming out the stove bottom once a week. Happy stove shopping and just remeber to reasearch and buy a stove on what best fits your application as most stove no matter what brand can be dressed up with brass or other options.