Opinions on this coal/wood stove

This was brought up in another thread I started but is off topic and doesn't get the views,I would like the opinions of this board about this stove. My plans are to put it down in an open floor basement to heat the entire house. I am more concerned on the effectiveness of this stove in burning dual fuel as I understand there are problems with this in some machines. I will be burning wood as it is very cheap to mostly free but will also burn mostly coal in the deep winter months due to the amount of labor getting wood requires. The DS dealer is very close, 20 mile, from me and would like to give him the business as he is a very friendly and helpful guy. Anyway this is the stove in question.

5. DS Riteburn Basement Stove

Firebox: 16" x 27"
Size: 32"W x 44"H x 42"D
Oxygen afterburner
Downdrafter
Righthand / Lefthand available
Weight: Approx. 700 lbs.
Standard 7" flue
UL Listed
170,000 BTU
DS-1300

Sorry Mods, I just realized I posted this in the wrong category. If you would be kind enough to move it to hand fired stoves I would appreciate.

I'm not a big fan of multi fuel stoves, but if that's what you want, after looking at thier web site, where they really don't give all that much info on structural design, you should probably go for it.My primary concern with multi fuel would be the creosote situation.

I'll side with Fred on this one...multi-fuel stoves always have some sort of compromise between being a good wood burner or a good coal burner. The secondary air controls and after-burn system on the exhaust side probably make this better than average and burning wood & coal, but I'd still like to see how the firebox is designed.

I previously heated my home with a Hitzer Model 82 stove, which is similar in design. It could burn wood, but it was much better suited for burning coal.

Have you considered selling your "mostly free" wood and buying coal with the proceeds?

No I could not sell this wood as I can only cut for personal use. Besides that I want the flexibility of dual fuel. As I understand this is very similar to the Hitzer 82, and it has a flat grate with a interlocking finger like action to shake the ash down, it runs the full length and width of the firebox.
As I understand the operation of the down drafter it is used for the wood burning, the opening for the flue up high in the fire box gets closed and the flames and smoke are rerouted through another plate of steel to a lower opening for the flue, that is what that third handle up on the top right is used for. As I see it i can adjust the draft to feed from the bottom or the top of the firebox.

That is not the most efficient stove. I don't know why they even build it.

That stove is long and it makes it mean to through coal in.

If you want to do what you say the best choice would be a basement #4 with out the hopper. When you go with out the hopper the load door is much larger (nice for burning wood). You also get adjustable secondary air controls in the load door(also nice for wood). No glass in the door and you are set. The stove is setup for coal, so it will burn that well, but you can also burn wood in it. And it still has the auto thermostat. Put a mpd in the flu, forget a baro and you are set up for dual fuel burning.

only downside is that you can't put as much wood in as a wood stove, and it will not burn as clean as a dedicated wood stove.


That would be my vote.



Eric

Thanks for the input Eric, the #4 is the other one on my list for consideration.

Bruce M wrote:Thanks for the input Eric, the #4 is the other one on my list for consideration.

no problem, on another note fill in your avatar, general location is fine. No on will kidnap you


Eric

I don't know there has been a lot of people running around with tin foil hats lately, you sure it's safe.

My Dad burns both wood and coal in his Hitzer 55. I make sure I run the brush through his chimney every weekend if he has been using wood, which has been most of this warm winter. There was a past posting about how the creosote dries up if you burn them both. An unsafe thing to have. Keep in mind to brush your chimney before switching to coal each time.

I think once you go to coal wood will be forgoten

what other heating source is in the house now?

Eric

warminmn wrote:..... Keep in mind to brush your chimney before switching to coal each time.

I will make certain of that and am planing on using the tees's instead of 90* elbows to make the cleaning of the flue better/easier.

Coalfire wrote:what other heating source is in the house now?

Oil boiler with baseboard. I have gone through over $3200 dollars this mild winter....I have had enough.

Bruce M wrote:

Coalfire wrote:what other heating source is in the house now?

Oil boiler with baseboard. I have gone through over $3200 dollars this mild winter....I have had enough.

Ok why not get a coal boiler than and forget the handfed? There are some good guys on here that sell refurbed ones at a good price. than you would have even heat through the house and domestic hot water.


Eric

Yeah maybe some time down the road. I scratched on the surface to what it would take for a complete good functioning coal fired boiler with storage and....... not in the budget right now but maybe, no definitely, when this one kicks the bucket all together I'll do it.

I understand the desire to burn both fuels......and with a hot air unit you just might make it work. Like the other guys, I don't like dual fuel rigs, but if you must, this is as good as any available.
Please keep the chimney in GREAT condition with a frequent brushing...and some coal fired days to help that out creosote issue.
If you wanted to burn in a hand fired dual fuel boiler unit, all of us would be SCREAMING at you to not do it. The lives of your family are just to important. Wood fired boilers unless a gasser just aren't for indoor use.
Argue all you want, there is absolutely no way I will change my mind......

How about asking the dealer if they have sold one of those stoves to someone local? If so, seek them out and see what they think. The best advice will come from someone that has no benefit from your decision.