How Many Pounds of Nut Coal Does Your Hopper Hold?

joeq wrote:I'm sure you won't be looking for one of these, but for info sake, this model Surdiac (513) hopper would have a hard time holding 20LBs, and not even that much on the grates. Total stove capacity with a hot bed and full hopper, maybe about 35LBs? (Sorry, we're talking pea, not nut)

It's good data! Your stove uses pea, so the data is appropriate for your stove. Most of the larger stoves seem to prefer nut.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but I thought of something you should keep in mind. Often the ash pan is the limiting factor in how long the stove can burn without attention...and even if it wasn't, you still have to physically shake the grates every so often. My point is that I have never heard of a gravity hopper-fed stove that exhausted the hopper before it needed the grates shaken or the ash pan emptied.

Excellent point. I was indeed looking at this from the perspective that the largest capacity hopper would be of noticeable benefit. Your suggestion that it is not of specifically this benefit makes me wonder why they are a desired feature at all.

Don't let that discourage ya. Hell, I'd bet an auger system of some sort could be rigged up so you might not have to touch the stove but every 3 or 4 days--or maybe even more

Rob R. wrote:I know this doesn't answer your question, but I thought of something you should keep in mind. Often the ash pan is the limiting factor in how long the stove can burn without attention...and even if it wasn't, you still have to physically shake the grates every so often. My point is that I have never heard of a gravity hopper-fed stove that exhausted the hopper before it needed the grates shaken or the ash pan emptied.

.....I must say...Rob is always thinking- and his logic is always on point!....no wonder hes. moderator now ! (congrats again-and good choice mayor!)

...now we've all been "schooled" before at one point in our lives...and now may I coin the phrase. Larry...."you just got Robbed"!!!

...God I hope this catches on....

I always value Rob's knowledge and input.

But don't let this discourage the inflow of data. Keep it coming for your hoppers capacities.

...wow-tough crowd!

Larry.....that was sposed to be funny !

It was funny!

There is still an advantage to a hopper, and that is keeping the fire at a steady state for a longer period of time without intervention...plus it allows the coal above the fire to be preheated and slowly burn off volatiles.

JohnB wrote:

freetown fred wrote: from bottom of hopper to top about 20-25 lb--firebox--around 20-30lbs--soooo total inclusive of all-- 50-60 lbs---NUT--- and those stats above would mean exactly what?

Those numbers sound low by about half. I know my 50-93 hopper will swallow a 40lb bag without overfilling with a full bed underneath. Hitzer claims it holds 50lbs.

I too say you're about 1/2 off Fred. I know a 5 gallon pail holds about 40 pounds of coal. With a bed of coals under the 50-93 hopper, I can almost fill the hopper. I'm going to have to agree with HITZER's claim of 50 pounds. What are you thinking Fred. I know you know better .

Rob R. wrote:I know this doesn't answer your question, but I thought of something you should keep in mind. Often the ash pan is the limiting factor in how long the stove can burn without attention...and even if it wasn't, you still have to physically shake the grates every so often. My point is that I have never heard of a gravity hopper-fed stove that exhausted the hopper before it needed the grates shaken or the ash pan emptied.

halleluiah... I love hearing smart sense! the hopper preheats /preps the next load, it may settle slightly (an inch or so)... but other than that....it does NOTHING a good quality coal stove that can be "banked" does (ohhh wait...yes it does... it takes $500 out of your pocket!). You still need to touch it every 12-24 hours depending on season, it begets you nothing but a hopper that may burn out, no ability to clean flu pipe without dismantling your stove and added area/seams to weaken its airtightness and lets not forget the added risk of the dreaded "hopper fire".

Missa Clane You Clazy in head.

Terrible calculations on my part Me bad

And let the games begin! :discuss: