Hitzer 354

I have been looking, but can't find much info on the 354. I don't have much doubt of it being a good stove, but just curious as to how much coal can be packed into it and how long are the burn times? I was looking at a insert, but I decided to rebuild the hearth and chimney in the spring so I can just put a free standing stove in. Because of space, I am looking at the 354 because the flue exits the top as opposed to the back on the 50-93. Also, is the gravity feed really THAT much more convenient over a hand fed? Taking 5 more minutes to load coal through the door as opposed to a hopper doesn't really bother me, unless there is a lot more to it than that. Thanks, Chris

The 'Hopper' is everything...
Well if you never used a hopper fed stove you won't miss nothin...
The hopper extends feeding times...
Makes reloads super easy...
Cuts back on the puffs...
So simple even a caveman/woman can do it...
Yes the hopper is a big deal once you have used a stove with one...

I've got a 50-93 & would not trade the gravity feed system for the world. Shake & top off every 12 hrs during the worst winter days. I farm & spend most of my days screwing around with STUFF. When I light up towards the end of Sept.--I'm done except for the twice daily tending till spring. Like CC said, even an old beat up farmer can do it.

The 354 is the same stove as the 50-93 except it does not have the hopper and the pipe exits the top not the rear, the hopper is the reason for the rear exhaust on the 50-93.
As you will find here most service their stoves on a 12 hour cycle, with the hopper I have gone 24 hours without having it turned down, if you turn them down it will go a good 36 + hrs. My own opinion but I would go with the 50-93.

mmcoal wrote: Also, is the gravity feed really THAT much more convenient over a hand fed? Taking 5 more minutes to load coal through the door as opposed to a hopper doesn't really bother me, unless there is a lot more to it than that. Thanks, Chris

It's not for convenience. It's to feed hot coal at shake down time. Coal, some of which has already given up its gas and will ignite quickly. Stove temperature will be more uniform and puff back from unburned gas less likely. Combined with a thermostat the need to add more air to a fresh load of coal becomes automatic as the thermostat will have already opened a bit as the previous batch has burned out and will again close down as the new load adds heat. Tending becomes simpler. You leave the setting alone unless you want more or less heat.

Basically, the hopper fed doesn't need any draft adjustment unless more or less heat is desired? When you load a hand fed stove do you have to turn up the air until the new coal ignites and then turn it down like a wood stove? I was more interested in the 354 because of the top exit of the flue, but I think extending my hearth to handle the rear exit flue of the 50-93 may be a possibility. I have read a lot of older threads stating that the 50-93 didn't have a removable hopper, but they do now right?
Thanks for all the replies, Chris

Right

I would try to manipulate you're hearth situation so that you can run the rear exit right up the chimney from the fireplace. I'm assuming you have the fireplace and if not, then just move the stove out a bit. My Glenwood rear exhausts and the collar is only 12" from the bricks. Two 90 degree elbows and a piece of pipe (mine has a MPD in it) and your good to go. I really think you'll appreciate the hopper feature as these boys have said.