Harman Magnum Stoker or RS-96 Allegheny

Both these stoves seem great. Any one have one or the other? Any other stoves I should consider? A newbe to coal. I burned with wood last year. Going to coal.

I think the Harman is a better choice the Readings uses what in my opinion is an outdated feed/combustion blower set up that is very light duty . The stoves themselves are well,,, just not my cup'o tea . The Leisure Lines are nice, made of a light steel compared to the Harman and no option to control the fire outside of the aftermarket but included Coal-Trol . The Coal Trol is a good idea but is a small company of about 2 guys in a garage if they go belly up and you need parts for the control I don't know what you would do the stove would have to be modified to work without it . Stoves like my Victory are almost 25 or thirty years old and it's nothing to pick up a Ten year old Harman . Just something I've been considering

coalstoves wrote:2 guys in a garage

Many successful companies have started this way, this is what is great about the USA. I doubt the guys at coal-trol will leave customers hanging. They are always here for tech support. Hows harman's tech support. Props for coal-trol from personal experience. Thanks.

I could kind of tell by the specs that Harmen might be better. I am an HVAC guy and want to add stoves to my bussiness. Reading needs dealers. Harman does not. If accepted as a dealer I could pick up a RS-96 at cost. Harmen full price. Thanks.

spc wrote:

coalstoves wrote:2 guys in a garage

Many successful companies have started this way, this is what's great about the USA. I doubt the guys at coal-trol will leave customers hanging. They are always here for tech support. Hows harman's tech support. Props for coa-trol from personal experience. Thanks.

I agree look at Apple Computer, it's just something I gave some consideration and I know it doesn't sound good and is hard to put a positive spin on but it is a consideration since the Leisure Lines have the device so integrated that operation without it is almost impossible, Time will tell

Firstly I have to add my 2 cents with regards to the folks at Automation Correct. My feeling is that they will be there to support their product even if they are not selling new ones. You are not talking about people that don't care. Also all of the stove companies started as one or two guys in a garage... so just understand you are dealing with an industry that is small time (ie I think there are less than 5,000 units sold per year for all manufacturers combined). Harman was just bought out by a large national company, so they are the riskiest right now in my opinion. The best bet is to find a company that takes a personal interest in your happiness, for that you can't beat the folks at Leisure Line and Automation Correct (the makers of the Coal-Trol).

I have owned all the different brands of coal stoker stoves out there, although I have never bought a new one. I can say from personal experience that the Harman Magnum is a great stove, it is very well built and works very well. As far as the price new, I do not feel a Harman is worth the money, Leisure Line is the best value and best customer service as far as I can see for a new stove. If you are thinking of becoming a Reading Dealer I would check out all the other options as well. Alaska, Keystoker, and Leisure Line are all good companies. Out of those I would pick Leisure Line because of the Coal-Trol coming standard. I believe that within the next couple of years all the stove manufacturers with the exception of Harman will have the Coal-Trol as at least an option. Especially since the auto ignite feature is just a year or so off for full rate production.

As stated a used Harman is a good bet, just make sure you get the stove with the "pent-roof" design, the older flat roof style builds up fly ash like crazy.

Best of luck with your search, PM me if you would like some additional insights, I seem to have been collecting all sizes and shapes of stoker stoves and have experience with quite a few.

Thanks. Lot of good info. I will ck out other options. I saw a site that said sales are up 30-40% this year. I will take a trip to PA this week or next to buy three stoves. Only which one. LOL My stove http://mysite.verizon.net/vzew10av/

I'll give my 2 cents as well . The customer service from harman's factory is a joke for lack of a better term. I have dealt with many companies over the years but they are by far the worst. If you aren't a dealer you may as well go talk to the wall. I never had one of there coal stoves but my pellet stove was well built but since they don't stand behind there product like they advertise I would stay away from them. I don't particularly care for reading either as I think they are the poorest value out there. Leisure, Alaska and keystoker are better for the money. I've met the people from automation correct and ther aren't going anywhere. They as well as leisure stand behind there product and with the invent of the auto ignition they will be the next big thing in the coal heat industry.

Thanks a lot. I value the info. This site has been great. You all have known about all this stuff. You have saved me a lot of time by sharing. I will heed your advice. Harmen is out. Readings is on shakey ground. Liesure is looking good as a stove to buy and sell. I have sent an e-mail. Not heard back yet.

I've heard nothing but horror about Harman's factory support to customers, but the Harman dealer local to me has been top-notch. I was close to shelling out for a new Mag from them till I found mine for sale used. The store wasn't too upset, and they had no prblem talking to me afterwards and answering my questions when I set her up and got her going. Maybe they figure they could at least get future parts business, etc from me, but anyhow they have no problem showing and opening up their floor-model Mag when I pop in.

Just from researching on the web. Afer calling quite a few dealers. I already know more then they do about their own product. This site has been great info. So glad I found it.