Alaska Kodiak Question? Hopper/Screen

Hi,
On the Alaska stove website I am interested in the Kodiak, But, there seems to be two options Hopper or screen. Anyone have the information on these the website doesn't really go into detail.Also is the hopper removable?
Thanks in advance

Hi Hanover,
The Kodiak comes with the screen but the hopper is an optional accessory.The screen and the hopper are removable.If you use the hopper then you don't need to use the screen.I think it's just to protect the glass when you add coal.I don't have the hopper in mine but I just put about 40 to 50 lbs in it and it will go on that for 18 hrs easy with more to spare.Most people use nut in it but right now I have stove in mine as I couldn't get any nut.I've also used pea in it but only in the fall and spring.The pea also falls through the grate at spots and I don't like that.Any other questions just ask .

Mike

Thanks.
Since you do not have the hopper does it still load from the top not through the glass door?
In a pinch,lets say armageddon comes, would you be able to burn small wood in it,or pellets in one of those pellet baskets.
Anybody priced one lately seems like finding prices on the web for coal stoves is like the search for the Holy Grail.
I posted last week, I am coming up with a plan should my warm morning pass on.
"I would like to ask this question.....Warm Morning. "was the posts name. I got some good info about the hopper fed hand fired stoves.
I have a few requirements, I must be able to load with a bucket,it must be big,it must have firebricks.

Maybe next year I'll get a dump truck I've spoken to a bunch of people having problems getting coal. Right now its 175 picked up for stove and nut.

Yes I load mine from the top,but there's no reason you couldn't load it from the front if you remove the screen.I just use a coal hod and dump it in with no problems.Sure you could burn wood in it,although I never did.I bought mine brand new and it cost me 2350.00 back in Sept '09.

Mike

Thanks for the information. I am leaning towards the Alaska stove because the factory is sort of close.I'm in West Hazleton.
I love my warm morning heater (I swear it would burn ice if I asked her to) and I could usually find them for sale but as we both age I think these new stoves would be easier to tend to. My load door is about 35" and on a 8" brick platform.
Since we are in roughly the same area if you had to get a new stove would you get a Kodiak?
My stove can burn between 75 to 90# at a time and keeps my bi-level hot no matter what the temp is outside. I know she is not as efficient as a new stove. So I use 100,000 BTU as a guesstimate.

You won't have the comfort and ease of operation with out the bimetal thermostatic draft damper..

If you want a top feed stove, with a great reputation, a bunch of very happy owners on the forum look at the HItzer hopper fed stoves

The larger one, the 50-95 would be in your BTU output range.

Freetown Fred has one that is working very well for him. As well as many other forum members with this size and the smaller 30-93? size.

Greg L

I love the kodiak. the hopper is great. 4 bolts hold it in. there is a bi-metalic thermostat on it. I adjust mine manually.

with the hopper in spring, I have gotten over 40 hr burns.. several times. naturally low stove temp as it was warm out.

no problem burning wood in it but there is no over the grate air control so I cant say how good it is with wood only in the long term...

Thanks for the input.
On my stove it has a spring steel door which I use manually.
I need this stove for heat the good looks are just an extra.
My chimney is an inside mason one that is about 28' tall. I lose allot of heat up my chimney which in turn also creates a great draft. (chicken or egg kind of deal)
Does the Kodiak exhaust have some heat to it?
PS. I'm on RT.423 finishing up the bridge.

geez I pass u all the time!! let me know if you wanna see it in action..... 5 miles on 423 toward naomi...

there is a great temp differential... stove say 450 stack 180...mesured 8 inches from breech

good heat thrower

I'm going to run out to their factory this weekend.
If I have any more questions I may take you up on the offer of seeing it in action.
Thanks for the toot! the other day.

ok cool Say hi to dave for me. any time ya wanna take a look...

Good morning Guys,
I know this is a rather old thread but would any of you gentlemen burning the Kodiak hand Fed be willing to post some pictures of the grate system and how the external shaker handle worked on these units. It is my understanding that current production now has you open a door to shake it down but that the older style had an externally mounted shaker handle. Thanks again,
Glenn

The newest model ive seen has a little slide door in the big ash door. You insert the shaker handle in through the little slide door.

Correct the newer style used the little door. The older ones you could use the door or put an external handle on the stove and use that without having to open the door.

Thanks again,
Glenn