Coal Stove Comparison

Jeep · Post by **Jeep** » Sat. Feb. 16, 2008 3:57 pm

As the heating season is comming to a close, I'm planning on retirement of my 22 year old Consolidated Dutchwest Box Heater with either a Hitzer 254(coal) or a Harman TLC 2000 coal stove. Could anyone give me some input experience as to the pros and/or cons of each? They both appear to be well made in the USA. I will be burning nothing but hard coal.

grizzly2 · Post by **grizzly2** » Sat. Feb. 16, 2008 7:30 pm

Take a look at the thread "What stove is best for me?' I got a lot of good advise and input that is relevant to your question.

WNY · Post by **WNY** » Sun. Feb. 17, 2008 8:14 am

Here the link
The Right Coal Stove for Me?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Feb. 17, 2008 8:29 am

Jeep wrote:As the heating season is comming to a close, I'm planning on retirement of my 22 year old Consolidated Dutchwest Box Heater with either a Hitzer 254(coal) or a Harman TLC 2000 coal stove. Could anyone give me some input experience as to the pros and/or cons of each? They both appear to be well made in the USA. I will be burning nothing but hard coal.

This is my 3rd season burning a Harman TLC 2000 & it is the best of the three coal stoves I have used in almost 30 years of coal heating. It is solidly made, has a huge ash pan, is easily controlable even at low temps, has a shaker mechanism that allows for easy dumping/cleanout , has a double wall construction that allows for closer installations, & is even good looking!
My only complaints would be:
1. Harman's policy of having to contact a local dealer with any problems, questions, etc. (Harman does not even provide an email address to contact them directly, I don't think)
2. Top loading the TLC-2000...I have found that trying to top load the stove sends coal everywhere except where I want it! (I may just have never learned that technique correctly but I find that loading it through the window door is much easier)

Dallas · Post by **Dallas** » Sun. Feb. 17, 2008 8:51 am

Devil5052 wrote: My only complaint would be about Harman's policy of having to contact a local dealer with any problems, questions, etc. (Harman does not even provide an email address to contact them directly, I don't think)

Devil, Based on my experiences with my front loader and the coal dust, referenced in my "Clean Up" post .. It's Time for Me to "Clean up My Act"! , isn't there quite a lot of coal dust flying around when loading a top loader?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Sun. Feb. 17, 2008 12:35 pm

Dallas wrote:
Devil5052 wrote: My only complaint would be about Harman's policy of having to contact a local dealer with any problems, questions, etc. (Harman does not even provide an email address to contact them directly, I don't think)
Devil, Based on my experiences with my front loader and the coal dust, referenced in my "Clean Up" post .. It's Time for Me to "Clean up My Act"! , isn't there quite a lot of coal dust flying around when loading a top loader?

Could very well be but I've only tried it a few times due to lack of control anyway.