Keystoker HF 90

Hi all,
Back in 2008 I posted about my getting a used Clayton furnace. Well, I brought it home never hooked it up and a couple years ago sold it. Since 08 till now wood has been plentiful and easy to process so I decided to go with the wood until the easy supply ran out. Finally after 40 years of whole house heating with 2 woodstoves (one in the kitchen/living room and one in the basement) I have had it with wood. I have come to the conclusion I do not have to cut, split or stack coal.
That being said I am the first to admit to being a real newbie to burning Anthracite. I know most of you have heard that comment a million times. I am seriously considering a Keystoker HF 90 for my Kitchen/living room which is 22 ft. x 30 ft. It has a vaulted ceiling 13 FT high at the peak. House was built in 1986 with 6" wall insulation, 12" overhead and all glass is double pane. HF 90 can handle this space?
In reading posts I have seen some favorable comments on this Keystoker model. I particularly like the 75 Lb. hopper and being a hand feed stove. I am in a rural location and electric can go out and when it does the wait time to be restored can be long.
Guess I would like to know if this particular stove is something a novice should be considering or are there other types which might be more user friendly? At right around $2000.00 off the showroom floor I do not want to end up with a case of buyer's remorse although any coal stove is going to be a learning experience for me. One type stove I do not want is a mechanical stoker feed.
I am in Potter county and I checked with the nearest coal dealer and as of today they want $290.00/ton for nut and buyer has to haul it. I did not ask what brand it is.
Any thoughts on the Keystoker HF 90 would greatly appreciated.

$290 a ton sounds high. Shop around a little bit. Are you near St.Mary's PA?

Dealer I deal with raves about that model. I was thinking about it but I just don't like the look of it. Too flashy maybe. Most people like its looks so maybe its just me.

Stoker6268 wrote:Dealer I deal with raves about that model. I was thinking about it but I just don't like the look of it. Too flashy maybe. Most people like its looks so maybe its just me.

The OP appears to be talking about the HF 90, and not the flashier looking HFH 90.

The robust HF 90 weights 560 lbs, and the dainty HFH 90 weighs only 370 lbs. Clearly two different stoves.

The model that has the hopper is called model HFH 70/90. I think this is the model Deepwoods is speaking of as a hopper is mentioned, but perhaps I am wrong???

either way, they sure look nice in the pictures on the website, and I think either would heat your situation well. 90K BTU is some serious heat.

lsayre wrote:

Stoker6268 wrote:Dealer I deal with raves about that model. I was thinking about it but I just don't like the look of it. Too flashy maybe. Most people like its looks so maybe its just me.

The OP appears to be talking about the HF 90, and not the flashier looking HFH 90.

The robust HF 90 weights 560 lbs, and the dainty HFH 90 weighs only 370 lbs. Clearly two different stoves.

No, I was talking about the right stove. He said hopper model. The HFH picured on their website in powder blue, flashy gold trim and a flashy glass hopper lid. Not my taste, but most seem to like it.

The fan on the HFH is listed at 45 cfm...

The fan on the HF is 265 cfm....

That is a huge difference in air movement if you need it.

I think I screwed up the model #'s. What I am looking at is the HFH @ 370 lbs. which is quite a difference from the HF 90 @ 560 lbs. Makes me wonder why the weight difference between two stoves, both capable of the same BTU output. Obviously something is missing in the HFH model vs. the HF. I had not checked out the individual weights of these two models. I think someone on this forum has posted pics of an HFH Keystoker and commented about liking the hopper it is equipped with. Are there other brands of hand fired stoves with hoppers?
In regard to St. Marys I am about 80 miles north. I think my area is a sort of dark spot for coal availability. Dealers are thinly scattered & pricey. Some years ago I know of a man who arranged a "bulk buy" from a coal dealer in Shamokin. I think about 6 people went in on the buy and got prices much better that the local coal sellers were getting. It would be great if something like that could be done again.
I havent bought a coal stove yet, still in the decision making phase. I have a little wood left, I need not tell you last night was -22 Deg. I will run out of wood in the next week or two, then it's Propane for the rest of this endless winter. I did give thought to Propane but decided with everything that is oil related the volatility of that market rules it out for me. Coal is a Pa. produced product and whatever it's price may be, I would rather give my money to a Pa. resident than a middle east sheik.

Im sure the keystoker would be a good stove and has a nicer look in many peoples opinions. As for non-electric hopper stoves that use the BTU you are searching for, a Hitzer 50-95 or Alaska Kodiak would be fine too. $2000 is a pretty good price on the keystone hfh. The Hitzer would be a little lower as would the Kodiak. You may be able to find a used Hitzer for less. You would probably be fine with any of the 3. After your learning curve, you wont want to see a piece of wood again.

By non-electric, I mean they will work without electric. They may still have an electric blower but will run without them.

Since you are shopping, don't forget the DS Circulator: http://woodstoves.net/coal-stoves.htm

Wow! found Hitzer 50-93 virtually in my backyard, same dealer I mentioned had the high priced coal. Price for the Hitzer is $1695.00. Has 50 lb. hopper. Blower is optional which I would want, so price goes up somewhat. Hitzer weighs in @ 480 lbs.
This dealer can have it in 3 days.
I believe all the stoves I have looked at are well made and not cheap junk. These brands have been around for a long time.
For my upstairs stove I would prefer a new one and will go see this dealer and get all the details and if satisfied will order the 50-93.
As I previously said I also want a coal stove in the basement. Later I would like to find another used hopper type hand fed for that area. By doing this I will duplicate the setup I had when I burned wood. A stove in the basement provides warm floors in winter and can heat the whole house in cool weather.
I figure a coal bunker that will hold 6 ton should be sufficient if the winters we have had lately are any indication of those to come.
Really starting from zero with coal heat! Will have questions as I navigate the learning curve. Thanks for all your help.

The reviews of the Hitzer 50-93 are very good on this site. I don't think I've found anyone that doesn't like theirs.