Coal Chubby Vs Hitzer 30-95

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Sun. Dec. 28, 2014 9:17 pm

I have been looking at houses one of them is around 1600sqft. The house was built in 1899 gutted and renovated in 1976 and insulated to that standard maybe a bit better. Single pain wood windows with storm windows.The first floor is relatively open and Three bedrooms upstairs. The stove would go in a large living room at the base of the stairs. Which ever unit I chose would have a blower. I like the looks of the Chubby. I like the thermostat on the Hitzer. I don't want a stoker because of power outages. What say you?

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Sun. Dec. 28, 2014 9:28 pm

If both stoves output is nearly the same,then it would probably just be the look that you prefer deciding which one to get. The grate mechanism & the method of clearing the grates may be something to carefully consider. There may be some members who have used both of these stoves that could give you the pro vs con of the different systems. I have read a lot of favorable things about both of them.

tcalo · Post by **tcalo** » Sun. Dec. 28, 2014 9:40 pm

Asea,

I happen to own a Chubby and have been using it for the past 4 years. I started with the original design which was a pita to shake, quite messy. The newer stoves have a much nicer shaker system. I am heating a 1100 sq ft ranch built in the 70's with single pane wood windows, very similar to your house I assume. It does a great job keeping our house quite comfortable, except when the temperature dips into the low 20's...then it tends to struggle a bit. The overall design looks good and works great. It's a very simple and forgiving stove, built like a tank. There is one problem area that I've experienced, it may just be how I've been operating the stove. I seem to crack a grate about once a year. Not a big deal for me since they are relatively cheap. I reached out to Larry and he gave me some advice, time will tell. Larry is a swell guy and goes out of his way to help you out. A true gentleman. Plenty of info here on both stoves. Best of luck with your search.

Tom

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Sun. Dec. 28, 2014 10:43 pm

Larry seems like a great guy. I called one day and he was in the hospital had just got out of surgery! Said he was bored and felt like talking. after about an hour on the phone we finally hung up LOL! I live in Mass so I guess I will stick with the local Chubby guy.I imagine I could drive down to Pembroke and pick one up save a few $ on shipping. I doubt Mr Hitzer (Lehman)would talk on the phone like old friends for an hour. I am still looking at homes. I like looking at all the different coal stoves out there especially the antiques.

Formulabruce · Post by **Formulabruce** » Sun. Dec. 28, 2014 11:20 pm

The Chubby "system" youll need to learn based on your draft. This means basically, how long it will burn, how much coal for an easier clean out, etc.
IF you don't need to have the flue vent in the rear, I would spring for the Top vent Chubby, and the Blower. I run a square window fan sorta behind mine and to the side and it works ok. The Chubby can run very efficently once you get the shake and grate figured. I dig my edges too inside the fire pit to remove any caught up ash. A Chubby running full and hot with blower and circulator can easily heat the size house you mentioned. Mine was built in 1862 and I can get blow away by the Chubby. I also use the hot air furnace ( BLOWER ONLY) to help move the heat around. The heat loss from the metal ducts in the basement keeps pipes from freezing down there as well. ( only run that on occasion)
My other choice was the small Hitzer, but I feel no brick round design gets more heat out, I think the hitzer may shake a bit easier sometimes though.
Good luck!
PS Larry is a great guy to deal with, went there and picked mine up, and was well worth the Journey

Eb426 · Post by **Eb426** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 6:23 am

I have been running a chubby for the past 3 years. A 1979 top vent no blower model. My house is a 150 year old stone house with old windows. The stove has no problem keeping my entire first floor about 1200 square foot very warm. Even on the coldest days.
I too have had a problem with grates cracking. So far this year it is holding up good though. I also seasoned it this time and really took it easy for the first few fires. The Stove is very east to operate and maintain.
Dealing with Larry is a pleasure. His customer service is excellent. And parts are very cheap.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 9:32 am

How much Coal should I expect to use during a cold winter in a house the size of mine? And for anyone in Mass where is the cheapest source for coal?

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 9:38 am

ASea wrote:How much Coal should I expect to use during a cold winter in a house the size of mine?"

Too many variable, a thread all to it's self.......I thought you were house shopping?

.......[quote'ASea"] And for anyone in Mass where is the cheapest source for coal?[/quote]

There are threads on this subject, try the search box up top.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 10:25 am

I'm all over the place with the house shopping not sure what the future will hold. So in the meantime I'm trying to get everyone else as confused as me.

I do appreciate all the input on my various questions.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 10:39 am

michaelanthony wrote:
ASea wrote:How much Coal should I expect to use during a cold winter in a house the size of mine?"
Too many variable, a thread all to it's self.......I thought you were house shopping?

.......[quote'ASea"] And for anyone in Mass where is the cheapest source for coal?

There are threads on this subject, try the search box up top.[/quote]

michaelanthony Your right. I will go through some of the older threads.

Thanks

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 10:39 am

ASea wrote:I'm all over the place with the house shopping not sure what the future will hold. So in the meantime I'm trying to get everyone else as confused as me. I do appreciate all the input on my various questions.

When you are able to plug in real numbers and possibly pictures of you set up and still in north central Mass. the info will come at you from all directions

Then YOU will be confused

Take you time ASea the folks here are always ready to jump in, you just need to put water in the pool!

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 10:47 am

3-6 Tons of coal to heat the house you are looking at. It depends which one you get,could be less than 3 tons,or it could be more than 6 tons,but will likely be closer to the 3 ton . How is that for a ballpark figure for a ballpark estimation of the house being heated ?? A ballpark sized house would likely use more than 3 ton.

......... Non of these figures will work if you decide to heat the water in the pool tho.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 11:07 am

Thanks again guys. My Wife wants to stay in the city on a 1/4 acre. I want to move to an old colonial in Southern NH on 10acres. We shall see. Also she doesn't like the finials on the Oak Stoves and Baseburners so I'm gonna probably be stuck with something modern

It saddens me. The Chubby is probably the best looking of the newer stoves.

Thanks Again,

michaelanthony · Post by **michaelanthony** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 11:17 am

How about a hybrid, the Vermont Castings Vigilant 2310 coal burner Has a classic look and heats up to 2000 sq ft, (all situations are different), is considered by some a modern day base burner via it's indirect exhaust path down both sides and snakes it's way up the back before it exits. Made of cast iron, has great radiant output, can run real low, and can burn wood and bituminous coal

I realize we are falling off the path started, so feel free to start another thread.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 11:29 am

Sell the finial to someone that wants it & likes its looks ,OR just buy the Chubby.