Question about Hitzer stoves?

Does anyone know the quality of Hitzer? Is it a good stove, how does it compare to Harman? The model im looking at is the 50-93 EZ-FLO with a gravity fed hopper. How does a gravity fed hopper work? Does it clog up and jam? Im torn between this hitzer stove and the Harman MarkIII which both have 93,000 Btu and heat 2400 sq.ft. However the Harman does not have a hopper. Also they both are the same price $1600. My local Hitzer dealer has a 1 year old used EZ-FLO for $1000 which I guess I will jump on if someone here can tell me if its a good quality stove.

Thanks
Steve

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know the quality of Hitzer? Is it a good stove, how does it compare to Harman? The model im looking at is the 50-93 EZ-FLO with a gravity fed hopper. How does a gravity fed hopper work? Does it clog up and jam? Im torn between this hitzer stove and the Harman MarkIII which both have 93,000 Btu and heat 2400 sq.ft. However the Harman does not have a hopper. Also they both are the same price $1600. My local Hitzer dealer has a 1 year old used EZ-FLO for $1000 which I guess I will jump on if someone here can tell me if its a good quality stove.

Thanks
Steve

I would like to more about this as well.
Here is my experience: I pretty much bought a Hitzer insert about 1 week ago, sight unseen. I did this because my local dealers did not have the model I needed in stock and could not get me one for 12+ weeks ( the Hitzer Co. says orders have been way above expectations this year and cant keep up with demand) I had to drive 200 miles to the closest dealer who had the model 983 I wanted. My dealer had a freestanding Hizer stove on display as well as several other brands. I feel the Hitzer was equal or better than most other stoves as far as construction, weld quality, fit & finish. I do know that they are a heavy stove which may be some indication of quality. (compare the weight of the hitzer to the weight of other stoves you are interested/considering.)

I will say that I feel that Vermont Castings have the nicest finish that I've seen, however; you will pay a steep price for one of those.

I would definately go with that discounted Hitzer stove. But, make sure it is properly sized. You have to have more than 2500 sq ft in order to use the 50-93. 2400 sq ft or less, I would go with the 30-95.

The Vermont Castings coal stove is more difficult to keep lit, I have not been too impressed with the usability.

I would go for the demo Hitzer. I am a Hitzer dealer and feel that it is a very well made and controllable stove. I love the EZ Flo gravity system and use it in my own home. I have found Hitzer to be the most usable coal stove on the market

Good luck,

Bruce

Thanks for those who responded to my post. However, now im a bit confused. My house is around 2000sq. ft without the basement . Why is the 50-93 EZ-FLO not good for a house under 2500 SQ.Ft? I usually go for slight over kill then something not enough. Any input much appreciated.

Thanks
Steve

50-93 is hard to keep burning at real low temperature. at the lowest temp that it will burn, it may be too hot in the room hte stove is installed. Bigger is not always better! If you are putting the stove in the basement, go for the 50-93. If you are putting it on the main floor, order a 30-95, but it is quite a wait.

Thanks for everyones input again. Im buyingthe used one!!! im excited, i pick it up on sunday. So now i just need to order coal.

steve

Anonymous wrote: So now i just need to order coal.

steve

I may know someone that can help you there.

I'm going from a big old Bullard wood burner to a 5 yr. old 50-93 gravity feed Hitzer w/blower.We have a 200 yr. old farm house in upstate NY--it's as tight as it gets--post & beam ya know!!If this 50-93 puts out as much heat as I'm reading about maybe I can open up the front upstairs or the whole back of the house--wouldn't that be nice--as far as overkill--come-on,I'm an old panhead graduated to shovelhead guy.Noooo evos' thank you.This site is great--I'm 65 & have done wood all my out of pops house life--then it was shovel coal every couple days.I'm learning alot here.I have a triple wall 8" pipe from the woodstove--I'm going to run my 6'' up through it with a cap-yep,I'll make something up top of the 8" to run the 6" through--you know us farmers--everything but the oink--if that idea scares the britches off anybody-please get back to me.CONTRAVERSY--I'm going to use a manual damper. Seeeee ya,Freetown Fred

Freetown-Fred wrote:I'm going from a big old Bullard wood burner to a 5 yr. old 50-93 gravity feed Hitzer w/blower.We have a 200 yr. old farm house in upstate NY--it's as tight as it gets--post & beam ya know!!If this 50-93 puts out as much heat as I'm reading about maybe I can open up the front upstairs or the whole back of the house--wouldn't that be nice--as far as overkill--come-on,I'm an old panhead graduated to shovelhead guy.Noooo evos' thank you.This site is great--I'm 65 & have done wood all my out of pops house life--then it was shovel coal every couple days.I'm learning alot here.I have a triple wall 8" pipe from the woodstove--I'm going to run my 6'' up through it with a cap-yep,I'll make something up top of the 8" to run the 6" through--you know us farmers--everything but the oink--if that idea scares the britches off anybody-please get back to me.CONTRAVERSY--I'm going to use a manual damper. Seeeee ya,Freetown Fred

When we slaughter the pigs, we use everything but the oink

Just recently there was a posting of a member converting his Harmon to the design of the Hitzer draft control. After seeing that post, it makes me wonder why anyone would consider a Harmon. The Hitzer seems to be a much better design. Go with the Hitzer.

Guest -- WE own two Hitzers - a 503 with a gravity hopper and a front-loader with an auto-draft control to hold to a couple of degrees (the 354) once you "find" the setting. You will find the stoves very well-built. The autohopper that you mention
(gravity-fill) is just that nothing to jam or stick ...... just fill from the top (the Anthracite) coal in the chute will keep the
burn zone filled with coal. In the mornings when running hard (having a cup of coffee before the kids get up) I often
see the coal sliding out of the hopper as needed. As mentioned before on the site,my wife takes cars of the 503 (hopper)
when I'm gone ----- but she has yet to fill the front-loader. It really (as does the auto-draft control) simplifies coal burning.
NOTE: The hopper is only recommended for anthracite pea or nut
Once the fire is established -- to use the auto-draft - close the sliding vents in your ash door. You can adjust
chain length by moving the B-B's, or turning the handle - usually after the fire
starts we set at a 1"opening and after a bit go to our "number"
Good Luck,baldeagle

Both good stoves.....Buy the HITZER! It's better engineered. Having both, the 30-95, & the 50-93, I disagree with the comment of "anything less than 2500 square feet, use the 30-95". It would be more like "anything less than 1600 square feet, use the 30-95". Or, like Mlou says; If stove is going in the basement, use 50-93.

I gotta agree with oliver power all the way. My 30-95 will heat my 1200 sq. ft. no prob, and my house is a little drafty. 1600 sq. ft. is probably about a max. for an average insulated house in northern NY. My Hitzer is of high quality, and very well engineered to burn with ease and efficiency.

Freetown-Fred wrote:I'm going from a big old Bullard wood burner to a 5 yr. old 50-93 gravity feed Hitzer w/blower.We have a 200 yr. old farm house in upstate NY--it's as tight as it gets--post & beam ya know!!If this 50-93 puts out as much heat as I'm reading about maybe I can open up the front upstairs or the whole back of the house--wouldn't that be nice--as far as overkill--come-on,I'm an old panhead graduated to shovelhead guy.Noooo evos' thank you.This site is great--I'm 65 & have done wood all my out of pops house life--then it was shovel coal every couple days.I'm learning alot here.I have a triple wall 8" pipe from the woodstove--I'm going to run my 6'' up through it with a cap-yep,I'll make something up top of the 8" to run the 6" through--you know us farmers--everything but the oink--if that idea scares the britches off anybody-please get back to me.CONTRAVERSY--I'm going to use a manual damper. Seeeee ya,Freetown Fred

Hi freetown Fred, No manual damper, or any other kind of damper needed. The HITZER EZ-Flow stoves are very efficient stoves. This time of year, my stack temps are running at 50-75 degrees. I'm now tending my stove at 24 hour intervals, and will continue this for maybe another month.