Need help finding a "no electricity" coal stove.

Hey guys,

After the recent Sandy scare, I've decided I want to buy a backup coal stove that requires no electricity. I am currently burning rice coal on an Alaska stoker but it requires electricity (motors, coal-trol, etc..). I know I can just go buy a generator, which is on my list... however, I want a long-term backup incase the SHTF and I run out of gas for the generator.

What would be a good backup "no-electricity" coal stove? I guess they are called hand-fired? I want something that will burn the rice coal that I use and I also want to be able to buy parts for the stove around this area. The Alaska office is literally right down the street from me...

Thanks,
Brian

Brian

You can't go wrong with a Chubby. Yes I am biased as I own one but they are very easy to use and idiot proof to boot.

ONEDOLLAR,

Where would i be able to get parts?

bae388 wrote: I want something that will burn the rice coal

Thanks,
Brian

No hand fed burns rice. Sell the stoker and buy a hand fed alaska kodiak as your main stove


Eric

Eric,

Thanks for the information. Im not ready to sell my stoker. The thing has been in the family for more than 30 years! I guess a generator will have to do.

Brian

Get a nice antique parlor stove...looks really nice so it appeals to your better half and they can easily heat an entire house.

bae388 wrote:Eric,

Thanks for the information. Im not ready to sell my stoker. The thing has been in the family for more than 30 years! I guess a generator will have to do.

Brian

No problem, you could get a small stove but than you would have to have a differant type of coal.

Genset may be more useful, as you could power other things as well.



Eric

Coalfire wrote:

bae388 wrote:Eric,

Thanks for the information. Im not ready to sell my stoker. The thing has been in the family for more than 30 years! I guess a generator will have to do.

Brian

No problem, you could get a small stove but than you would have to have a differant type of coal.

Genset may be more useful, as you could power other things as well.



Eric

Or he could just get a small amount of nut coal for a hand-fired stove. Its not as if he'd need to get a huge amount for an emergency reserve. Even if he wanted to get two weeks worth, it wouldn't be a major investment. Probably cheaper, more reliable than a generator. I mean, having a portable generator is smart too to run other things (like the fridge where the beer is) but I think we should all calm down, take a step back and realize that he most definitely needs another coal stove and two types of coal on hand.

Chubby parts and stoves are available from the Larry at http://www.chubbystove.com

You can also find used Chubby's on Craigslist. Davian is also correct about getting an antique Parlor stove as a back up. Can't go wrong there either. Having a hand fed around is not a bad idea in case of a power outage. While they won't burn rice coal, keeping a few hundred pounds of stove or nut size shouldn't be a big problem for most people.

I spend less than 10 mins a day with my Chubby when it is running. That is shaking it down, adding coal and dumping the ash. Not very taxing on my time that is for sure.

Brian, go to top right corner (search box) and type in --hand fired stoves-- plenty of reading there--pro's & con's. Personaly, I use a Hitzer 50-93 & wouldn't trade it for the world. Heating 2000 sq with nut. Like tated, look up a the Hitzer web site--more reading--go smaller & also like stated--buy a small stash of NUT for her--10-20 baga--figure 1 bag per day in the worst of weather--tending every 12 hrs. PLUS--excellent customer service

Same as what Onedollar said and parts for Chubby stoves are available if that item is important for you. Other brands are also making great job as Fred just explained.
But remember that most complete Antique stoves can have parts re-casted or made from some handy guys. But some love to work on their stoves and some don't want to bother with that...
Easy to buy a few bags of nut ant and a good thing about ant is you can let the bags as is for as long as you want, not affected from humidity...but always ready to make the job.

One bag of nut coal a day in the worst of weather? Not bad at all! Shouldnt be too hard to keep a months worth on hand.

Thanks everyone for your input!
Brian

It's a good idea to have a backup stove, I agree.

I had no experience w solid fuel until last year. One thing to keep in mind is that most hand fired stoves are pretty simple. There isn't that much to break on them compared to your stoker.

I came across a Godin Oval Parlor stove last year. I bought it for about 300 bucks and it wasn't used much. It's very simple to use, throws plenty of heat, and needs tending about twice a day. It was maybe 10 years old and looked almost new. I found parts for it, Being it is classified as both wood and coal, it is not sold in the US. I bought parts for it in the UK just to refurb it a little.

I've been using bagged chestnut coal. I tried pea, but it isn't practical. I go thru less than 25 lbs a day (I think)

This stove is an oddball, not very common, and I think there may be many oddball brands out there. The design is about 1860 and it works. I'm happy w it and at 300 bucks it was a low risk decision. Look around and you may find something that will work for you. I was able to get help on tips for my stove here. There are only a few that own it, but they've helped me out a lot.

I also have a 5k generator. That's good for the big stuff like electric water heater, well, septic, fridge, etc. Although none of these things needs to be run on a continous basis. I'm currently looking for an additional generator, maybe 1k or less. I would run this continually for stuff like lights, TV, etc. Use less gas, make less noise, etc.

Another consideration would be a propane brick heater with a big tank outside. Yea the LP costs a fortune and the unvented propane poses health hazards, but in an emergency they work just fine. (try not to massacre me on this suggestion guys, it's just one option that would work fine, not to mention all you do is light it and walk away!!!!!)

I think you should go ahead with your plans, being there are so many options out there. If all you do is get a generator, consider the size and how much petro you'll need to keep on hand. My coleman can go thru 5 gallons in 10 hours. So it wouldn't be practical to run that for a week straight.

Please Keep Us Posted, I'd really like to hear what you end up doing!!!!!

Joe

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freetown fred wrote:Brian, go to top right corner (search box) and type in --hand fired stoves-- plenty of reading there--pro's & con's. Personaly, I use a Hitzer 50-93 & wouldn't trade it for the world. Heating 2000 sq with nut. Like tated, look up a the Hitzer web site--more reading--go smaller & also like stated--buy a small stash of NUT for her--10-20 baga--figure 1 bag per day in the worst of weather--tending every 12 hrs. PLUS--excellent customer service

I agree with ya Fred. If I were to buy another hand fired stove to heat my house, I'd be another HITZER 50-93. It's a GREAT performer. My mother is very happy with mine. Plus, the new 50-93 has the removeable hopper bottom, which gives you the wood option. Once my shop addition is completed, I may need a bigger stove than the 30-95. I may play with a different brand (DS Machine or Kodiak). But, for the house, The HITZER 50-93 has been a solid performer for me. For power outage, ChiefCamper may want to consider radiant model.