which one to buy

im going to buy one of these stove. which one would you recommend ds1600, hitzer 50-93 or herman magnafire sf thanks

Ya gotta refresh--house size, lay out, where ya puttin the stove, any existing duct work, hot water expectations, etc, etc What exactly are your needs?

The DS Circulator 1600 is much larger than the Hitzer 50-93, the DS 1500 would be a better comparison. If you look at the DS Machine stoves they are much better designed and built than either of your other two choices. The engineering is simply much better which results in a better burn and more efficiency. I recommend you look at the website http://messickstove.com/Stove%20DS%20Machine%20Circulator%201500.html and then decide, the pictures tell the whole story. The other two stoves are very good, just not quite as good as the DS Circulator.

EarthWindandFire wrote:. If you look at the DS Machine stoves they are much better designed and built than either of your other two choices. The engineering is simply much better which results in a better burn and more efficiency. the pictures tell the whole story. The other two stoves are very good, just not quite as good as the DS Circulator.

Mark not trying to step on your toes, but it sounds like you are just relaying what you read in brochures, do you have personal experience with any of these stoves?

I would not say the DS burns any better or is built any better. If anything, I would say Harman's build quality is probably the best, with fit and finish.
Also as for being more efficient not sure, my current DS burns the same amount of coal as the old gibralter it replaced.


Just my two cents, Eric

will agree with FF need a little more info again.

whats the price of the ds compared to the hitzer in the 1,000/2,500 sq ft size???

Huh??? that's a real big jump from 1000 to 2500????

freetown fred wrote:Huh??? that's a real big jump from 1000 to 2500????

screwed up i ment 2,000/2,500 sorry fred

I should be a DS salesman!

gottcha--again, it depends how the house is broke up or not--where the stove will be installed, windows, insulation, etc. My Hitzer 50-93 does this old farm house real well--with the back shut down for the winter I'm heating about 2000 sq & on ocassion use just a ceiling fan to move heat around. I got my stove off CL a few yrs back for well under $1000.00

buffalo bob wrote:

freetown fred wrote:Huh??? that's a real big jump from 1000 to 2500????

screwed up i ment 2,000/2,500 sorry fred

fishey

As a general rule I don't think you can go wrong with either one of the 3 stoves you mentioned. Placement of the stove in your house and how the heat moves by itself or how you will help it move is just as important as the stove itself.

While each of the brands makes a GREAT stove, I have heard time and time again that Harman does not have a great reputation for good customer service. People on this forum sing praises of Hitzer's customer service and DS Machine have a great reputation as well. Serious points to ponder.

Just how much "punch" is the Hitzer 55 lacking? 68 degrees instead of 70, barely keeps the house at 50, etc?

How warm does the living room get compared to the rest of the house?

I think most of fisheys questions have been answered under his other threads. Any of his three choices would be better than the Hitzer 55 but I still recommend the DS Circulator 1500/1600 and so do many others. For example, I like the post by member Rex under the ds machine vs hitzer thread.

ds machine vs hitzer
hitzer
buying new stove
more heat

I had a Temp Coal II for about 30 years and never needed any parts..Except for new bricks. The person that took it 6 years ago hasn't needed any parts for it either. The Harman stove I have now has not needed any parts and is in its 6th season.
I have a friend that wanted an insert and he bought a 503 Hitzer. His grate holder rusted out after 2 seasons. I think its just the luck of the draw on any product or in this example, where they get their steel from.
I don't think you can go to far wrong on any of the coal appliance manufactures. Just get what size and style you want for the job you want done. Its all about choice.
The one I have now is the one my wife liked the best.

you cannot lose with the hitzer or the ds. they are all very good choices. like Ford vs. Chevy. they will both break down and need replaced eventually.

ford or CHEVY--it's a lot to do with proper maintenance & you can find that on the FORUM here, from people in the know