MAJOR HELP on Federal Dutchwest Stove

CanadianCoalFan · By: **CanadianCoalFan** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 9:22 am

Can I use a Federal Dutchwest stove to burn anthracite coal ? Hope somebody can help me ? I almost bought the stove. When I first saw it I tought it was a coal stove being use only with wood by the owner, now I realy wounder if it is a coal stove or wood stove. :oops:

Model is FA209CL Poeple who want to help me can look at the stove on ebay item nuber : 280103608041

Thanks

castiron · By: **castiron** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:10 am

Hi,

Found this for you:

http://blackswanhome.com/catalog/index. ... ab20828c26

if this is yours, it seems like it has a catalytic device in it......does this make it wood only....don't know.....

castiron · By: **castiron** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:17 am

Also found this EPA reference (see pg 13) that approves this stove:

http://www.epa.gov/oecaerth/resources/p ... edwood.pdf

the list says it's the EPA approved list for wood-burners.....so we know at least it burns wood....question is, is it also a coal burner.....?

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:21 am

You can't use the catalitic thing with coal in any unit, this one appears to have fixed grates and I would assume it is a wood only unit. Anthracite requires a grate that can be shaken.

CanadianCoalFan · By: **CanadianCoalFan** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:44 am

Thanks guys but realy need to know if I can burn coal and sleep well at night ! :lol:

CanadianCoalFan · By: **CanadianCoalFan** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:47 am

I dont have the handle, but those grate can be shaken for sure. The owner told me they use a wrench !

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:49 am

You cannot burn anthracite coal without a shaking grate. If the stove does not have one you cannot burn anthracite. That aside, the stove does not appear to be a real well made unit anyway. I would avoid it.

EDIT: I see now they can be shaken. If so more than likely it can burn anthracite. It will need below grate air only to perform well when burning it.

Charlie Z · By: **Charlie Z** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 1:38 pm

A friend has a DW with a 'coal kit' replacement grate. It doesn't work too well, as the grate components had to be replaced twice. After awhile the shaker bar warps. He's given me his coal. There are better coal stoves.

CanadianCoalFan · By: **CanadianCoalFan** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:20 pm

I was able to get more pics. Tel me what you think. Are those grates will WRAP !!!!

Despert CanadianCoalFan

CanadianCoalFan · By: **CanadianCoalFan** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:21 pm

Here's the last pic.

CanadianCoalFan

coaledsweat · By: **coaledsweat** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:35 pm

I would stay away from that. It may be a good wood burner, I don't know. I don't believe you can burn anthracite in that unit. The lack of any firebrick tells me this should not burn coal. You will also notice that it is assembled from many pieces bolted together.

I vote no to this one.

bksaun · By: **bksaun** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:00 pm

Canada,

That is not a coal stove.

BK

bksaun · By: **bksaun** On: Mon Apr 16, 2007 10:13 pm

OOPS

BK

Corie · By: **Corie** On: Tue May 22, 2007 8:30 pm

Yes, this is a coal stove. No offense to everyone, but you're wrong. This is from the older Dutchwest years, before ownership by Vermont Castings (And now CFM).

You had to insert four special cast iron pieces, one along each side of the stove and two at the front and rear which would direct the coal to the rotating grates. I've personally burning coal in this stove and while it isn't as good as a dedicated coal burner, it will do a decent job.

When burning wood you keep the catalytic combustor in, but when burning coal you obviously remove the combustor.

And yes of coure its assembled with bolts and is a bunch of seperate pieces. Its cast iron.

Charlie Z · By: **Charlie Z** On: Thu May 24, 2007 6:05 am

I agree. For me, it's the best coal appliance out there. I have never seen anything like it. My friend bought his about 15yrs ago and it still produces coal!

I don't know how it works, though. He buys coal to get the process started; I don't know what he does after that. A couple of weeks later, he gives me some of what it has produced. I do see a lot of wood around his house, so I'm guessing that it turns wood into coal - you know like the coke process.

It makes very good coal. So far, he's given me about 500lbs of his surplus.