Hitzer 503 Coal Insert

Before I bought a stoker stove I fired a Alaska Kodiak gravity fed stove. I cut 2ins. off the sides and back of the hopper to let more coal down on the fire. I tried it with and without the hopper and found the hopper left the coal down slower and spread out better as I would shake it down. worked real good for me.

enjoy your stoves gentleman,let the little ones learn now so you can relax in front of your stove later. as for the wives, they'll get over it! besides who ever died from a blister. when my daughter was born my wife had me child proof the whole house, I agreed w/ most but not my fireplace, thats where I drew the line. when we were kids you learned hard and fast.