Hitzer 354 and 50-93 Radiant Vs Blower

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 5:00 pm

Is there a major difference in heat between the radiant and blower models? I made an offer on a home and it's kind of out in the sticks. If I loose power I want to be able to rely on the stove to heat the place. Is there a big difference in the amount of radiated heat you will get off of one vs the other if the power was to fail?

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 8:40 pm

Both will radiate heat if power goes out. A big plus for the 50-93 is the internal hopper, and top loading. 354 doesn't have a hopper. And you shovel coal in the front door.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:22 pm

I was leaning towards the 354 only because I can bur wood in it during the shoulder seasons. It has the over fire air feature and being hand loaded means I can use stove coal instead of just nut when I need more BTUs. The Hopper is cool though.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:28 pm

Buy both,you will never have to worry about having enough BTU's,& you can pick & choose which 1 to use & when.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 9:42 pm

I like were your head is at Windy Hill. My Wife is part of the equasion so I imagine the Hopper is the best choice. I just like the idea of using a little wood here and there on a cool fall night or inn the early spring. I guess the hopper can be removed.

fastcat · Post by **fastcat** » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 11:38 pm

You can also burn wood in the 50-93 by taking out the hopper, I and many others burn a mix of stove and nut with the hopper, I have not had any problems with the stove coal hanging up in the hopper, this is the second year with this mix for me.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 1:40 am

A big ditto on that George:)

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 7:15 am

ASea wrote:I was leaning towards the 354 only because I can bur wood in it during the shoulder seasons. It has the over fire air feature and being hand loaded means I can use stove coal instead of just nut when I need more BTUs. The Hopper is cool though.

Yes, the new 50-93 has a removable hopper. Actually, the bottom portion of the hopper slides out the front of the stove, and is no longer in the way. It would be very easy to add over fire air to the 50-93. An 1-1/2" hole in the side wall would be all it takes. Put a tear drop shaped flat piece of metal over the hole. Spring load the bolt holding the flat piece of metal on. Your adjustment will stay put. You can also add down draft on the inside of stove. I had a wood stove set up like this. Worked VERY WELL. Better than any other wood stove I know of. I once considered doing this to my 30-95. Should I ever decide to burn wood in the 30-95, I would set the stove up as mentioned. Oliver

jigstick · Post by **jigstick** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 7:23 pm

I was really considering the Hitzer 50-93 as well. I definitely like the hopper idea. When Im off hunting for a few days I think my wife could handle dumping some coal into the top of the stove. I was concerned about the size of the coal that I could use though….and the ability to burn wood. I completely understand your modification to make it burn wood. The stove I use in my hunting tent is set up very similar. How does the top of the stove seal off when your remove the hopper? Does any smoke escape? If I truly can burn both wood and coal in the 50-93 it would seal the deal.

fastcat · Post by **fastcat** » Wed. Jan. 28, 2015 7:48 pm

jigstick wrote:I was really considering the Hitzer 50-93 as well. I definitely like the hopper idea. When Im off hunting for a few days I think my wife could handle dumping some coal into the top of the stove. I was concerned about the size of the coal that I could use though….and the ability to burn wood. I completely understand your modification to make it burn wood. The stove I use in my hunting tent is set up very similar. How does the top of the stove seal off when your remove the hopper? Does any smoke escape? If I truly can burn both wood and coal in the 50-93 it would seal the deal.

When you open the top on the 50-93 you will find a second sealed door for the top of the hopper where you dump the coal in. To take the hopper out there is one nut and bolt that holds it in place then the hopper comes out the front door. Wood can be burned in the 50-93 with no problems but it is designed as a coal stove. If you need more info on wood burning you should call Dean at Hitzer.

Stoker6268 · Post by **Stoker6268** » Thu. Jan. 29, 2015 9:26 am

In their "unalterd state" they are lousy wood burners.

ASea · Post by **ASea** » Thu. Jan. 29, 2015 10:00 am

Stoker6268 wrote:In their "unalterd state" they are lousy wood burners.

The reason why I was debating the 354 was the fact that it is also built for burning bituminous coal and so has the overfire air. The 50-93 does not. I'm not saying the 354 is going to be as efficient as an "EPA" stove but it will be to burn some wood to take the chill off.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Thu. Jan. 29, 2015 10:10 am

Is it possible to get Hitzer to modify the 50-93 for burning bit coal ? You can hardly ask them to modify for wood as that might violate the EPA regs, unlikely that a manufacturer would risk that.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Thu. Jan. 29, 2015 11:12 am

You can burn bit by taking out the hopper!

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Thu. Jan. 29, 2015 11:57 am

Doesn't bit coal need overfire air ?? just like wood? There have been a few who say the 50-93 is not a good wood burner. That is why I was thinking it might need a bit of modification for bit.