Any Difference in Coal Consumption Stoker V Hand-Fed?

I've been using a Hearth model stoker for years, but lately have been thinking about a hand fed insert like the Hitzer 503. Is there any significant difference between hand fed and stoker?

Heat output?

Coal use (amount)?

I realize there's more tending the fire, but we're here enough that it likely won't matter much.

Any other things I should know?

Thanks

I have a 503. Some have said its not as efficient as a non-fireplace insert. That may be true and a Hitzer 503 would increase consumption over a stoker due to this. Suggest you call Dean at Hitzer and get his gears turning on that query...to compare Hitzer insert to other Hitzer stoves and their stoker. Hitzer sells a 608 model stoker.

Far as a stoker v. other non-stokers? I don't think any difference would be significant. The Hitzer 503 excluded since its a fireplace insert model.

Stoker v. hand-fed? I think its a similar argument of 45 cal to 9mm examination -- different folks have different opinions.

I'm examining my stoker options ... just for less tending..and to eliminate corrosion issues. I have had to do a small amount of repairs to my 503, so its not free from maintenance. I've had a blower go out, needed to re-remove the firebrick's lower 1" rails and re-weld new ones on, and the hopper issue and other corrosion issues (that, from looking at pic posted here started a long time ago but I did not notice it within the firebox area that will need attention after this season is over). Bought/installed stove in 2008. Of course I'm sure with any stove some repair work is going to be required at some time in the stove's life.

av8r wrote:Any other things I should know?

This thread could turn into a real big can-a-worms..

With a properly configured stoker the fuel usage should be lower. The fuel is metered better and the temperature swings are far less. I did burn Buderus hopper feed for 28 years before going to the Keystoker 90 with a coal-trol.

I was just wasting time watching youtube videos and somehow got on a 503 track. There are times when the fan and motor noises of my stoker bother me, but probably not enough to want to change to a hand-fed.

Thanks

Stoker noise is just it telling you to sit back and relax, I've got it.

I go through about 1/2 ton less per season with stoker boiler, than when heating with HITZER 50-93 stove. With the boiler, I'm also heating out to far corners of the house. The heat is even throughout. I find they use the same amount of coal during the cold months. It's the shoulder months where the stoker boiler shines, as far as coal consumption goes. The stoker boiler will idle away for hours on end. Heat is stored in the water until needed. I can't tell you much about stoker STOVE efficiency. I'm guessing not much different than hand fired. I can get my HITZERs to idle way down low, very low. Yet, being stoves, they don't store heat like a boiler.

I think my base heaters on idle use far less coal than any stoker. 10 or 12 pounds per 24 hours is what I get out of my base heaters on idle. And guess what? No socket wrenches or gear oil needed.
Temperatures do not vary for any draft setting between loadings ever. If I set it to produce 350 degrees it will run at 350 degrees until it's time to put more coal on it and that is always tomorrow.
Once you go base burner you don't go back.

Constant quiet, reliable, radiant heat, hour after hour, day after day, month after month, heating season after heating season from my base burner tells me it's got it.

If I read the first post correctly, the decision is between a stoker insert and a hand-fed insert. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought most inserts required fans to move the heat out of the masonry enclosure? If you have to run fans regardless, you might as well keep running the stoker.

Is there room to extend the hearth and install a free standing radiant stove? If so, you could install a super-dee-duper burns 12 lbs per day base burner.

Heck yeah. Have hearth pad will travel.

With the correct hand fed. like the glenwood#6 you can burn wood early fall and late spring to help take the chill out of the house on those freak days. Wood is pretty much free, for the amount ud burn (storm damage, personal property management, buddy's and friends that may need help with a tree in there yard and you can barter wood for labor.) That will offset coal consumption and cost big time Because you can start burning coal say December first as oppose to November first And shut down April first not may first!!!! not to mention if you go with a base burner your cutting your lbs/day way down.....

I'm going to stay with the stoker. I could extend the hearth, but I don't want the stove hanging out further into the room. I have battery backup and generator in the event of a power failure.

Thanks