I Think I Have a Problem. I May Be Addicted...

 
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I'm On Fire
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator

Post by I'm On Fire » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 1:58 pm

...to coal....

I stopped by Tractor Supply, just to see what they had on sale. I almost bought a truck box for $100 but my wife asked if I could wait. On my way out of the store I noticed the stoves. I always stop to look at stoves no matter where I go.

And there, sitting on the sales floor were two coal fired furnaces. Knowing full well I need to replace my oil fired furnace this summer my wheels began to spin.

One, a Clayton 160M (add-on) and the other a Hotblast 1557.

What are the BTU ratings of both if anyone has any experience with either of them?

Average burn times?

What kind of coal?

I asked one of the people there if they knew anything about either model but she really couldn't answer any questions I had.

What is the differences between them? I noticed the Clayton said Furnace Add-on on the sticker, what does that actually mean?

Looking at both units they seem to be a lot smaller than my current Rheem furnace so they'd both be easy to install and I'd probably not have to change much.

My current oil furnace is rated at 150k BTU/Hr. I'm not sure if I'd need a furnace that big, mainly because the DS would remain in service in the living room. So, I'm thinking I could get a furnace to set on a low idle just to supplement the DS.

Not sure if this is a good idea.

Now, I'm not looking to buy right now. My wife laughed at me and told me to, "Get a Job!!!" when I told her about the two units. So, getting her to green light another purchase so soon after buying the DS is not going to happen. I do however have tax season and the prospect of spring going in my favor so by then I should be able to buy my next coal fired appliance. But, getting some info now doesn't hurt any.


 
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freetown fred
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
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Post by freetown fred » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:06 pm

IOF,next time you get to TS--open the doors on those stoves & they usually always have info. booklets inside--that'll give you your basics & then you can question away here.Reading & looking at the unit at the same time gives a real good idea on it's operation capabilities--as it were--hands on ;)

 
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I'm On Fire
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Location: Vernon, New Jersey
Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator

Post by I'm On Fire » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:18 pm

I had the door of the Hotblast open but my 11 year old son was standing there going, "I'm bored. I'm hungry. Can we go?" The Clayton had it's door zip tied shut.

I'm gonna take a ride over there this week to look again. There was a Hotblast 1557 they had on clearance for $799. I was almost going to pull the trigger on it without knowing anything because that is cheap the ther one they had was around $1500 or so.

I guess both are owned and manufactured by US Stoves? I tried to Google both of them and I keep getting pointed to US Stoves but their site seems to be down.
Last edited by I'm On Fire on Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

 
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freetown fred
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut

Post by freetown fred » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:24 pm

My experience w/ new is, you get what you pay for--keep your eyes on used & ask any questions you need to--there's alot of experience on here as you well know ;)

 
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CoalHeat
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Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:30 pm

Keystoker warm air furnace
http://www.keystoker.com/products.php
or
a rebuilt EFM boiler with a heat exchanger, that will supply your DHW as well.
or
a Leisure Line boiler with a heat exchanger.

Save up the money and go with a stoker.

 
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jpd989
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Location: Mt Cobb Pa.
Stoker Coal Boiler: Leisure Line WL110
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Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat and Chestnut

Post by jpd989 » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:32 pm

These furnaces are intended for wood and bit coal. They will burn Anthracite but it has a big learning curve. Many postings here about people running these. Go to United States Stove Company web site. They have all the info online for these furnaces. I have started saving my money, I want to give that Leisure Line boiler a shot. But my #3 stays for back up.

 
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I'm On Fire
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator

Post by I'm On Fire » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:38 pm

Yeah, their site is down.

I probably won't be buying either the Clayton or Hotblast, I just saw them and wanted some info. I'm actually still waiting on LL's dual fuel furnace myself. I have read a few threads here for both furnaces and did see that people had some issues due to the learning curve. I just thought it'd be nice to have some info on both these stoves, you know, to start my research. Its good to have a starting point.

And yeah, I won't be getting rid of the Circulator either.


 
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009to090
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Post by 009to090 » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:43 pm

I'm On Fire wrote:...to coal....
I'm sorry to say.... theres no cure for the addiction. Its terminal. :up: :clap:

 
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CoalHeat
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Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:49 pm

I think I have a problem. I may be addicted....
It will get worse. Now I'm trying to figure out how to install a heat exchanger in my electric dryer so I can run it on heat from the boiler. :wacko:

 
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I'm On Fire
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Joined: Thu. Jun. 10, 2010 9:34 am
Location: Vernon, New Jersey
Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator

Post by I'm On Fire » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:55 pm

I just realized, confirmed by Coalfire. DS has a furnace too. There may be a second DS for me in the future.

 
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CoalHeat
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Posts: 8862
Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:55 pm

I didn't know they made furnaces.

http://rtstoves.com/stove12.htm

 
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DOUG
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Post by DOUG » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 2:57 pm

Well if thr price is right, the Clayton 1600 would be the one to consider. It is USSC's best model. I wouldn't even look at the 1557. The 1557 has grate quality issues when burning coal and it isn't their best design. USSC's 1600 series is a very good furnace, but it is more of a wood and bituminous coal burner that can be leaned to fire anthracite fair. If you are serious about installing a steel forced air coal furnace, I would save up your money for a D.S.Machine furnace. This is all from a tried and true Clayton 1600 series owner, me. I like the Clayton 1600 furnaces and at one time they were the best bang for the buck, but there prices have increased just enough that the D.S.Machine furnace sure gives them a run for the money.

If you are interested, I may have a few Clayton 1600 furnaces. I'm ready for an upgrade and a new toy to tinker with.

The last couple of nights have been the coldest all year here in Pittsburgh, PA. Last night my outside thermometer read -20. I live next to the creek so it is always colder than the news temperature of 4 degrees. I had my Clayton cranking at 800 degrees fired on Pittsburgh bituminous coal. The unit does heat my entire 3700 Sq.Ft. 1889 house easily to a cozy 70 degrees evenly. Anything more and we'll have to open some windows. A steady heat at 70 degrees is so much warmer than the on and off conventional gas at 75 degrees.

I'm addicted to solid fuel heating and I'm happy to admit that.

 
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CoalHeat
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Posts: 8862
Joined: Sat. Feb. 10, 2007 9:48 pm
Location: Stillwater, New Jersey
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1959 EFM 350
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Harman Magnafire Mark I
Baseburners & Antiques: Sears Signal Oak 15 & Andes Kitchen Range
Coal Size/Type: Rice and Chestnut
Other Heating: Fisher Fireplace Insert

Post by CoalHeat » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 3:12 pm

I'm On Fire wrote:I just realized, confirmed by Coalfire. DS has a furnace too. There may be a second DS for me in the future.
You should keep the stove even if you install a coal-fired furnace. With forced hot air there is no radiant heat source, even when the thermometer reads a warm temperature it will still feel cool in the house. I just bumped the t-stat up a little even though it showed it was warm in here, anyplace in here away from the Harman was feeling chilly.

 
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I'm On Fire
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machines DS-1600 Hot Air Circulator

Post by I'm On Fire » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 3:36 pm

I wasn't going to get rid of the stove. I'd still use the stove as the main source of heat. I'd put the furnace on a low idle.

Given that, I don't think I'd need a furnace rated at 150k BTU/HR like my current furnace. The stove I have now us rated 125k BTU/HR. So, What size furnace do you think I'd need?

 
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Paisan
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Hand Fed Coal Stove: D.S. 1600 Circulator
Coal Size/Type: Nut&pea

Post by Paisan » Sun. Jan. 23, 2011 4:07 pm

I hear ya about having a problem. My house is set up with hot water heat. It never turns on thanks to my DS. But I would like to put in a coal boiler. Keep my nat.gas boiler and have a coal boiler, not handfired. I want it all!!


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