hand fired stoves

Hi,

I am in the process of determining what stove to get. Does anyone have any feedback as to what they would recommend. I am wondering about the pros/cons of say the harmon mark III, Mark II and the gravity fed kodiac by alaska. I want to make the right choice,.

Anyone?

Thanks,

Bill.

hamiltow wrote:Hi,

I am in the process of determining what stove to get. Does anyone have any feedback as to what they would recommend. I am wondering about the pros/cons of say the harmon mark III, Mark II and the gravity fed kodiac by alaska. I want to make the right choice,.

Anyone?

Thanks,

Bill.

Not being familiar with Alaska stoves, I would recomend a Harman. I own the TLC-2000 & it heats my 2400SF home very nicely. Harman builds solid, easily controled stoves that are suited for many different sized homes.
Check them out:

http://www.harmanstoves.com/

hamiltow wrote:I am in the process of determining what stove to get. Does anyone have any feedback as to what they would recommend.

I would recommend a good used one for a newbie. You will get a feel for burning coal, and then you can make an informed decision without a big investment up front.

After a season with a stove you may want to go with a stoker boiler........ Then again, you may be using a $400 used stove 20 years from now.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, there are not many used stoves in my area (NE VT).

Everything is WOOD.

I know I want coal, but the hopper fire threat of stokers concerns me.

I am thinking hand fired. The Harmon Mark II, and III interest me.

Winters are pretty wild here.

Thanks,

Bill./

hamiltow wrote:Hi,

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, there are not many used stoves in my area (NE VT).

Everything is WOOD.

I know I want coal, but the hopper fire threat of stokers concerns me.

I am thinking hand fired. The Harmon Mark II, and III interest me.

Winters are pretty wild here.

Thanks,

Bill./

i have a mark III and love it!

heres a used mark II in laconia

http://nh.craigslist.org/for/540164632.html

I have the alaska kodiak . besides the fact about the ashes it heats my house very well , a 1400 sqft house with no insulation , the stove is in the basment, it keeps the basement 85 first floor 77 and second floor 71 , this is my first year with a coal stove and so far so good . thanks to everyone on the forum . the stove can last 18 hours on cold days .

I'm very satisfied with my Harman and recommend them without reservations.
I also think you should look for a used stove to try out first. Then again, if you spend the $$$ for a new one then your committed to burning coal and we have another convert!

Bill, there are a few Hitzers for sale in the Buffalo and Rochester NY craigslist. I have read that they are excellent stoves.

Sandman,

Thanks for the craigslist link. I'm trying to contact the guy.

Thanks to all who replied. This is a great active and helpful forum.

I'll let you know when and if I am up and running.

Bill.

I just started burning coal last November. I have a Harman Mark III and the wife just loves it. I thought it would burn wood at first but was wrong. The wood just burns too hot. Coal on the other hand is the way to go. The oil heat hasn't kicked on since the stove was fired up. In December we lost power for three days and the stove did great. Even works to cook on. I would highly recommend the Mark III. Oh , by the way, I never have to fix the fire. My wife is a coal Guru!!!!!

Bryan

Thechap wrote:I just started burning coal last November. I have a Harman Mark III and the wife just loves it. I thought it would burn wood at first but was wrong. The wood just burns too hot. Coal on the other hand is the way to go. The oil heat hasn't kicked on since the stove was fired up. In December we lost power for three days and the stove did great. Even works to cook on. I would highly recommend the Mark III. Oh , by the way, I never have to fix the fire. My wife is a coal Guru!!!!!

Bryan

i burn wood in my mark III. yes it burns hot but it puts out a ton of heat.

i'm getting 10 hr burns and no creosol build up in the chimney.

other than starting it up i run the stove at anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 a turn open