Harman SF-150 Coal Stove

We are currently heating our home with a Harman Mark I coal stove. Although it is a dependable stove, it isn't big enough to keep the house warm on those cold days and nights in mid winter. We are looking at a Harman SF-150 a local family is selling and would like to hear from someone who has experience with that model. I have downloaded the manual but it doesn't give any information on BTU output and burn time. Are there problem areas with the stove? We are heating a drafty, underinsulated 1000 sq. ft. (old tenet house). Thanks in advance for any insights you can provide.

Forum member Greg White has a SF 150. I've seen it in action and worked with Greg on a few minor issues with the stove.

Greg is heating a 20'x 40' shop with his SF 150, and is getting 12-16 hour burns depending on the weather and how hot he wants to keep the shop. He has burnt Bituminous coal in it but burns mostly Anthracite with an occasional piece of wood or two.

From seeing his stove in action, feeling the heat output, I'd highly recommend the stove. You do want to check out the shaker handle, and the grates. Make sure the grates are not seriously warped, and move freely. When you get the stove, clean out the back heat exchanger area around the air tubes.

It's a good product, I'd use one if I found one.

Greg L

Thanks. I looked at the stove this evening and aside from one missing firebrick and a little surface rust[ its in excellent shape. I think it is well worth the 400 dollar asking price. After reading some of the other threads, it sounds like I should install a bio damper on the stove.

A baro damper is often a good idea, but unless your chimney has a very strong draft and you are getting erratic burning characteristics with your Harman Mark 1, then you may be able to burn the SF 150 just fine without a baro.

A baro will provide a more even consistant draft over the fire. It will adjust for gusty winds, temperature changes and air pressure changes. But many people do just fine with using only the spinner air inlets on ashpan door on the Harman stoves.

$400 is a great price, the firebrick is only a dollar or two, I'd buy that stove in a heartbeat!!

Greg L

David,Hi,I have the SF150 that LS Farms is talking about.I paid 500 for mine,it is a 1982 model,except for rust it looked barely used.I had been burning wood in my shop.30X32X10 pole barn,1 inch of foam for insulation,the switch to this SF150 is one of the better desisions I have made,the fire last fo a easy 12hours,16 if I am lazy.I have the brochure from 1982,it covers the Sf150 ,SF250,and the SF350.It appears as Harman only makes the SF 250 now.I installed 12 " risers to my legs of the stove so I did not have to bend over so far.
I would do it again in a heart beat,I have a Harman top loader wood stove in the house,I would like to switch that to a coal stove as well.
As LS Farms says,pull the plate off front on top and look for ash,mine had at least 2"s of ash,it may have been from the Bituminous I was burning,I burnt it for the first part of this season as well.I pulled inspection cover after I finished with Bituminous,sure enough,thee was another 2" of ash,now at the end of this season I will inspect again,then I will know.
This stove will burn anything you put in it,Mine(before EPA)is called a "Duel Fuel"unit,wood is QUICK and hot!!!,coal (antrachite) last like forever,30 degrees outside calls for 1.2 turns open on bottom ka nob,0 degrees calls for 2 turns, I am sure yours will vary acording to conditions.I guess I will close with,I can not say enough nice things about this stove,eh?
GW

For $400 in the shape you mentioned--BUY IT!