Alaska or Keystoker?

 
the duck
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Location: Greenfield, NY

Post by the duck » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 2:27 pm

Hello,
I am new to this forum, and wanted to solicit opinions about coal stove preferences.

I have no experience with coal, live in upstate New York, and want to significantly reduce my fuel oil bill.

For similar money (around $6,500), two local companies are selling two different models, installed, both using a power vent rather than a chimney.

Option 1 is a Keystoker Koker, installed, connecting into the existing ductwork.
Option 2 is an Alaska Model 140 Dual Feed, installed, and also connected to existing ductwork.

Any informed opinions about which might be a better choice for a 2,300 square foot house would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks,
The duck


 
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EarthWindandFire
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Leisure Line Lil' Heater.
Other Heating: Oil Furnace and Kerosene Heaters.

Post by EarthWindandFire » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 3:28 pm

I don't have much time to explain my opinion in detail, but the Koker is an awesome stove.

 
jnar1101
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Keystoker koker 160
Coal Size/Type: Rice/kimmels

Post by jnar1101 » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 3:36 pm

I just installed a koker direct vent into my duct work. I looked at both stoves. I went with the koker mainly because I liked the bigger blower and the fact that on colder days I didn't have to mess around lighting the second stoker. I am heating 3,600 sq ft and so far I love it! The house is toasty warm and the unit works great off the thermostat.

 
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Ed.A
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska Channing III/ '94 Stoker II
Coal Size/Type: Rice

Post by Ed.A » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 4:08 pm

jnar1101 wrote:I just installed a koker direct vent into my duct work. I looked at both stoves. I went with the koker mainly because I liked the bigger blower and the fact that on colder days I didn't have to mess around lighting the second stoker. I am heating 3,600 sq ft and so far I love it! The house is toasty warm and the unit works great off the thermostat.
Kind of hard to dispute "Jnar"...if you're going to spend the same coin, I'd go with ease of use of a single burner. It's pretty much the deciding issue because both stove Mfg.'s are known for their quality.

 
the duck
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Post by the duck » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 9:05 pm

Thanks very much for the input. It sounds like the Keystoker has a bit of an edge despite the fact that they're both good stoves. I think I might be able to get the Keystoker for approximately $300 cheaper too, so that will also help tip the balance.

Thanks again for your opinions, I really appreciate it!

 
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2001Sierra
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Location: Wynantskill NY, 10 miles from Albany
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90 Chimney vent
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Other Heating: Buderus Oil Boiler 3115-34

Post by 2001Sierra » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 9:13 pm

Keystoker since 1946, enough said.

 
the duck
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Post by the duck » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 10:17 pm

Thanks, I'm definitely leaning towards the Keystoker. Looking forward to keeping my house above 60 degrees without having to take out a second mortgage! Fuel oil prices are killing me...30 miles north of Albany, NY
Thanks again


 
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StokerDon
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Stoker Coal Boiler: Gentleman Janitor GJ-5, Van Wert VA-600, Axeman Anderson130 X3.
Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Harman SF3500 reduced down to 3 grates connected to its own plenum
Coal Size/Type: Rice, Chestnut and whatever will fit through the door on the Harman
Other Heating: Noth'in but COAL! Well, Maybe a little tiny bit of wood

Post by StokerDon » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 10:31 pm

I have owned a Keystoker hot air furnace AND an Alaska 140 dual feed. Without a doubt the Keystoker is a better engineered machine. The Alaska has issues, at the top of the list would be, a 6" flue for a 170,000 BTU furnace is too small. I think most of the people on this forum with Alaska 140 dual feeds have had CO problems. My 140 ran fine until I lit the second burner. 2 combustion blowers blowing into a fire box with a 6" flue doesn't work to well.

So, my vote would be for the Keystoker.

What? your burning oil,,, that far north? You need to be burning coal, unless you are rich.

Member "Scottscoaled" is near you in Troy NY. He refurbs a boiler once in a while, he may do stoves /funaces to. You should PM him, see if he has anything interesting.

-Don

 
the duck
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Post by the duck » Sat. Nov. 08, 2014 11:11 pm

Thanks for the input Don, I appreciate it.
Almost everyone has given the Keystoker the edge at this point.
No, I'm not rich - but I am getting poorer every month when that oil truck pulls in the driveway!
I'm from PA originally, this is only my third winter in NY - EVERYTHING costs more!
I also had natural gas in my last house, so the sticker shock of heating with oil is brutal, and only keeping the house at 60 degrees!
I think I'll be stoking coal by Christmas.
Thanks again for the input - I may look up Scottscoaled too - Troy's not far from me.
Many thanks!

 
vulcan
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Location: NEPA wilkes Barre - scranton area
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: keystoker koker 160
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby rear vent

Post by vulcan » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 7:56 am

No disrespect to the Alaska and I did also look at them too. I decided on the koker and am very happy so far. I used to heat with oil as well so I understand your pain. I installed a koker 2 years ago so I will be on my 3rd winter this year. I went from spending $2,000-$2,500 a year on oil to about 800-900 a year on coal. I figure I just about paid for my unit by the end of last year so now its all money in my pocket. :arrow:

 
the duck
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Post by the duck » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 11:17 am

Thanks, it's good to hear about a lot of these positive experiences with the Koker.
Do any of you have a sense about the price I'm being quoted - around $6,100 for the unit installed with a plenum into the existing duct work, and a direct vent installed?
Thanks again for all the input.

 
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windyhill4.2
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Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 12:03 pm

No mention of a Leisure Line possibility since they advertize on the forum ? They make 2 models , AK110 & AK220,the 220 is a dual stoker which allows it to operate on 1 stoker for the chilly times & then fire up both for the real cold weather.

 
the duck
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Post by the duck » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 12:34 pm

No, I haven't come across the Leisure Line stoves, but I'm absolutely open to the idea if a.) they're superior to the Koker, and b.) I can find a local dealer who sells them in the price range I'm looking at (arond $6,300 installed). Any opinions on the Leisure Line AK 110 and/or AK 220 in comparison to the Koker are very welcome!
Thanks

 
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windyhill4.2
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Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both

Post by windyhill4.2 » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 7:18 pm

I forgot that Leisure Line came out with a new size furnace,they now have the 3 sizes. AK110 $3800 approx + install ? ,AK180 didn't find a price,this is the unit that coalnewbie installed this yr to replace his 110,the AK220 @$5800 +install ? TD,you might want to go to the manufacturers section & look for the AK180 thread that coalnewbie posted.

 
jnar1101
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Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: Keystoker koker 160
Coal Size/Type: Rice/kimmels

Post by jnar1101 » Sun. Nov. 09, 2014 7:51 pm

I was quoted $6,000 installed for my koker also but that included hooking up the hot water coil and putting dampers into both plenums for the coal stove and existing furnace. I bought the cold air box from keystoker for $200 (well worth it). I ended up grabbing a buddy of mine with some hvac experience and we installed it in a half day and I gave him $200 and cost me about $500 in parts. I live in western NY and I spent about $3,000 in propane last year so I'm hoping to save some $$ this year. So far it's working great thanks to all the great info on this site, it certainly took a lot of the guess work out of it.


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