Leisureline Pocono or Keystoker 105?

morabito · Post by **morabito** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 12:32 pm

Hi, there. I'm new to the forum and to coal. I'm trying to decide if I should go with a Leisureline Pocono or Keystoker 105 to heat my 2,400 sq. feet ranch. I just can't decide. If people with experience with both, or either, could provide some insight, that would be great. Some of the things that attract me to the Pocono are the 200lb. hopper, Coal-Trol standard, dual blowers and, from what I've read, awesome customer service. However, some of the things that attract me to the Keystoker are that it's direct vent seems simpler and easier to care for than LL's power vent (I won't be using a chimney), you can get it with a 500cfm fan (not sure if that's better or the same as the dual blowers on the Pocono), it's not as large as the Pocono (it will be in my living room). I'm not sure which stove is more efficient - or if they are about equal. I'm not sure if Keystoker's direct vent option is better or worse than LL's power vent. Anyway, if anyone can provide some info on the pros and cons of each, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 12:45 pm

Personally, I'd go Leisure Line in this situation. More heat is better. Also, I like the idea of sucking the vent gasses out of the house rather than blowing the vent gases out of the house. With the powerventer, the whole exhaust system is under negative pressure to the outside,....most like a chimney. Nothing wrong with the Keystoker, however. Just my personnel preference in your situation. Either will be much better than what you're heating with now!

morabito · Post by **morabito** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 12:49 pm

Thanks - right now heating w oil and a crappy wood pellet stove.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 12:52 pm

Either would be a great choice from a performance and reliability stand point.

Your bigger question is which one gets the heat delivered the best to where you Need It? ...Ranch house.

Or is this just a space heater?

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 12:55 pm

Wood pellet stoves are direct vented.

EarthWindandFire · Post by **EarthWindandFire** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 1:35 pm

The Keystoker 105 would be better for a living room.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Mon. Jan. 06, 2014 1:39 pm

That's true! As the spousal unit often reminds me when I try to redecorate, function does not ALWAYS trump form! I then ask if she talking about me again?!!?

Greyhound · Post by **Greyhound** » Fri. Jan. 10, 2014 9:32 pm

Have you heard either of them run? I have the Keystoker 105 and it is not quiet, IMO. Remember the combustion fan runs 24/7, I have it in the basement and not sure I would want it in my Living room. Also, will you be wanting to blow the heat into ductwork at all? I feel that the Keystoker blower is underpowered. I live in a 1 1/2 story house and it is a stretch to get the heat to the top floor from the basement, without additional duct blowers. My 2 cents, YMMV

Rick

EarthWindandFire · Post by **EarthWindandFire** » Fri. Jan. 10, 2014 9:51 pm

Rick,

The Keystoker 105 can be ordered with an optional 500 cfm blower. That's pretty powerful for a free-standing radiant type stove.

Post by **dcrane** » Sat. Jan. 11, 2014 5:47 am

if its going in the living room... one of my first details to work out would be noise level of the unit! I would try anything to hear each of these units running before making a decision! It stands to reason the 100% neg. pressure of LL power vent mounted OUTSIDE would be quieter and safer but again... I think its worth trying to listen to each running if its going in the living room!

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Sat. Jan. 11, 2014 11:34 am

I have to share Doug Crane's opinion about the negative pressure and motor outside. No one seems to hear the fan noises...until some quiet moment is disrupted by the damned humming of a motor. Both stoves are excellent, and opinions are like bungholes....everyone has one! For the dollars invested in getting this opinion, take it from there. Neither stove will let you down, but you 'might enjoy' one over the other. It possible, get to a friend, or showroom that will leave you alone for a minute. Every time I go into a big Stove store, all I want to know is where the hell I can shut down all the fans running to hear what one sounds like. Many stoker boilers are MUCH quieter than the stoves.

morabito · Post by **morabito** » Sat. Jan. 11, 2014 12:49 pm

Thanks!

mariohotshot · Post by **mariohotshot** » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 7:41 pm

Keystoker has a newer model of the 105. It is larger in size, has a bigger hopper, a bigger ash pan and a 1000 cfm convection blower! It's also cheaper. The bad, It isn't double walled all around like the original 105 and it doesn't look as nice. Check it out at a dealer showroom.

Rigar · Post by **Rigar** » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 7:59 pm

.. just my 2 cents

.. is locating the new stove in the basement an option ??
.. a ranch home would be pretty simple to efficiently run ductwork..
..also.. have you considered a furnace??
....all the BTU's in the world without a decent means of distribution will essentially leave u with a very warm room

...a ranch...being long and narrow may be slightly problematic to evenly heat with a stove in just one room...
just something to consider

coalnewbie · Post by **coalnewbie** » Wed. Jan. 15, 2014 8:18 pm

I have and am currently using them both. My Pocono has a coal trol and my Keystoker does not. Therefore, the Poco tends to be more controllable but they are both fine stoves and I am very happy with them both.