DS Machine Stove Madness--Do You Have It ?

It all started innocently enough. In 1997 I bought a gently used---(supposedly by a Spinster who never married after attending Woodstock and the World Series of Rock Concert Series at the old Cleveland Muni Stadium.At least that's what my Coal dealer told me!)---Harman Mark 2 hand-fired. Well,in my infinite wisdom I decided to make it easier on my Bride when I was away at work for extended periods. I became a Girlie-Man and bought a new Harman Mag Stoker so that the Heat Animal would be fed and ashed without my presence. Well....now I've been missing the non-electric hand fired Life. My addiction was initially fed by that Wild Man of the East Coast,Larry Trainer. Seems I got snagged on Chubby Stoves. I told myself that everything was going to be ok,that I could handle it and not get hooked. Well,I was wrong...Dead Wrong ! After doing more homework,I found I needed a bigger coal heat rush. That's when I lost all control and discovered DS Machine Circulator Coal Stoves with 'Da Hopper. The Local Amish Dealer had me correctly pegged as one of those "Crazy English" dudes. The guys on my Crew have become co-dependants. They had always said about me:"Nice Guy.......Screwweeddd Up! " But they've been sucked in now,too ! During the work day,randomly,we'll yell out:"DS Machine". It's gotten ugly....We're even talking about making a multiple purchase of stoves at the same time....Poor Amish Dealer....In all seriousness,feel free to post your musings about your DS Machine Stove,or your impending purchase of one of these fine little Heat Animals. I haven't found them to be anything but well-built,reliable and bullet-proof. Kind of like a Chubby Stove on steroids....

I have the madness for sure! If the DS-1600 didn't have those ugly metal lath sidewalls I would probably be enjoying having one sitting in my living-room and keeping me toasty warm right now. Mainly my wife is still struggling with the ugliness issue, as well as the fear that she will forever be dusting black coal soot off of everything.

I was in a similar situation. Had a gibralter hand fed, bought a stoker thought it would be better. Well that fling only lasted one year, went back to a hand fed. I got a DS 1600 and haven't looked back since. Incredible heating machine

Coalfire, what was it about the stoker that you didn't like vs. the DS?

lsayre wrote:Coalfire, what was it about the stoker that you didn't like vs. the DS?

Still had to tend it every day. Had to put a duct in to get the heat upstairs, then basement was cooler, The fan noise, needs electricity, pretty much everything.

The hand fed was just better for me. tend twice a day, and so much better heat. The coal usage was about the same as I use now, because btu's are btu's no matter where they come from some just feel better

I looked at a lot of stoves and kept going back to the DS. I was not sure about getting a hand fed. without a blower. I just thought that is what would make the heat get around better. But the guy at Coalway said I would not need a fan or blower if I got the DS. I took a chance and got the DS. He was right! DS cost alot less then the other big name stoves. DS rocks!

You Betcha !

I too once had a Mark II...
Too much noise from the fan and not enough heat...
Looked for a well built, hopper fed stove that had no fans...
The DS Basement #4 was the winner...

Bob, did you ever get out and look at the DS line of stoves? Are you considering making a switch to the DS?

I have indeed. I'm impressed and sold on them. I still have a major problem choosing which system will serve me the best. In these times,simple is better...no electricity,no problems. DS has that down in a bullet-proof fashion. However,an AHS 130 or AA-130 out in the barn serves to take care of everything but with no active fire appliance in the home. No Homeowners Insurance issues,no up and down stairs issues,no coal or ash dust,etc. Time and money will provide the answers for me. I won't do things cheaply to save and shave bucks. I'd rather sell the home than do a system that's cheap and stupid. No decision is a decision,and i won't stand for that either. right now I'm watching job loss encroach on the Family,and I will take my bearings off of that.

So to pick up this year-old thread: You folks with DS Circulator stoves -- do they really do fine with no fan to help wash the heat off the stove and circulate it? I need a bigger stove, and the DS 1400 looks right. If I point out to my wife that the ugly grill work on the side would be compensated for by SILENCE -- no more noisy fan -- I might be able to sell the idea.

Actually, I personally don't find the grill work ugly at all, but then I probably wouldn't bother with lace curtains at the windows, either.

Works well for me, I guess every house would be differant.

What size is the 1400


Eric

Lack of any fan noise is why I went with my DS...
Had a MarkII and the fan ran all the time in the winter...
Open floor plan and it could not keep up with the heat load...
The DS holds way more coal, has the hopper, no fan and is rated 58k btu/hr highher...
Stove is now in the basement so the floors are warm and the basement is warm...
House stays 70-72...
Air flow is key to the even heat...
Silence is golden...

Coalfire wrote:What size is the 1400

1400 specs say 80,000 BTU.

I have the basement #4. First year with it and love it, i also have a open floor plan,the heat just rolls up through the basement door.Entire house has been at 74*+ have not even broke 500* on the stove yet heating 3400 sq foot ranch that includes basement