New to forum. My new koker..

Here it is all ready for the cold. Koker 160,000 btu. I used 4" exhaust pipe that school buses use, from the direct vent through a window opening, in which I removed the window and framed metal sheets with insulation board between to maintain some r value. Custom heat and return runs that tap into existing ducts. Installed a double pole switch so I can use one programable thermo for when I want to use oil(never hopefully) or coal. I ran two separate 8" runs to either side of the blower using homemade flanges. Pretty interesting getting it into the basement...four guys, bunch of 2x6s, trucks hitch and an old pully. Havent fired it up yet as its been warmer during the days here in central ny.

Looks good, nice clean set up. Now you'll enjoy saving $$$ by burning coal. Welcome to the forum.

Nice rig my friend. Ya done good. Welcome to the FORUM indeed.

welcome aboard nice looking set up. I am a first year koker user too and so far i am very happy with the results I have been burning it for just over a week.

Welcome fellow CNY'er! You will definitely love that Koker once it's dialed in.

I have one and you are gonna love it!!!!

Thanks all. I'm just a little concerned with the whole burning back into the hopper. Does anyone have any pics of where these need to be sealed. Do have a manometer to check the draft.

Welcome, I'm on my second season and love the Koker. I have a similar duct system and heat my whole house. As far as the hopper fire, I'm not sure which seals are in question. I have only cleaned mine after last season and relit it. I was told one of the biggest things besides the seals was to make sure you keep hopper on the full side. The only downside from my hand fired stove is the need for electricity. Once it goes out the fire goes out...

If you look in my signature at the bottom of my post you'll see by installation threads. I bought a used Koker and refurb'd it so there are a lot of pics,

So heres my question. At idle the draft is between .04 and .05, but has touched .06. Wen cookin good the draft is btween .02 and .04 is this variation betwwen idle draft and calling for heat draft ok? The manual is confusing, as it doesnt explain how to use the "slider" on the direct vent or the small lever with the allen screw.

from pg 1 of the Koker manual:

Draft and air intake settings are preset at factory and it is usually not necessary to change for installation going straight out through the wall. It is still recommended to check draft settings with draft gauge after starting fire.

My understanding is the draft orifice is preset at the factory, The control rod is locked in place with a set screw and a dot of white paint is applied to mark the rod position. Your draft will vary with different conditions but should always remain on the negative (drawing) side. As the season goes on you'll find you do need to clean the flyash out of the fan housing to maintain a good draft. I'm told "as a rule of thumb"a cleaning is required for every ton of coal burned.

On my Koker, I opened the draft orifice all the way and locked it there. I then put a rehostat on the vent motor to contol the speed. Now I can dial in the exact draft I want. I also have my manometer permanently mounted so I get a constant draft reading.

I think you'll find if you leave the draft control rod at the factory set position and keep the fan housing cleaned out, your draft will be sufficient.
-Len