Harman Super Mag Stoker- Help Needed

garyk2303 · Post by **garyk2303** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 5:35 pm

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 10 year old Harman Super magnum stoker that the owner said looked barely used? He installed new glass, new gaskets, and painted the stove. Once I got it home I looked it over a little better and found it to be very rusty inside, there is also some separation under the "chute" where the grates sit. What is everyones opinion on this, was I taken or is this no big deal? Anything else to look for? This is my first stoker stove.
Another question I have is this- the home I am buying has a fireplace in the basement. I plan to put the stoker in front of the ledge of the fireplace. Since the stove pipe comes out of the top of the stove my pipe in the fireplace will be too low. What do I do about this? I will probably go over the brick fireplace with some type of engineered stone. Do I cut a hole into the chimney and bring the pipe out higher? I appreciate evryones input. Thank you!

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 8:14 pm

That is NOT a Super Magnum.

You have a Magnum, which is a better stove than the Super Magnum.

Looks wet inside. Best add a small thermostatic electric heater in there.

garyk2303 · Post by **garyk2303** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 8:43 pm

Forgot to mention I sprayed the inside with WD-40 rust preventative today, that's why it appears wet.

Post by **StokerDon** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 8:50 pm

That is a regular Harman Magnum Stoker, not a Super Mag. That one you have there is the good one. A little rust inside is fine, once you get it burning it will develop a kind of rust skin inside. The place you need to worry about rust is in the hopper and down in the pusher block area.

As far as the chimney goes, it's not a good idea to go down from the stove flue outlet and then up into the chimney. If the drop is less than the diameter of the stovepipe (6" in this case) AND the chimney has a realy good draft, you might get away with it. I wouldn't count on it though.

Good luck with your new toy, they are great stoves!

-Don

blrman07 · Post by **blrman07** » Sun. Jul. 05, 2015 9:08 pm

Since your going to be working on the chimney/fireplace/facia etc. now is the time to punch a hole for the coal stove at the right height and distance. Your going to be working on it so why not now?

captcaper · Post by **captcaper** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 7:10 pm

McGiever wrote:That is NOT a Super Magnum.

You have a Magnum, which is a better stove than the Super Magnum.

Looks wet inside. Best add a small thermostatic electric heater in there.

I don't agree or think so.. After 2 seasons with mine and being in and under and around the unit learning about it I'd never go back to the previous version.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Mon. Jul. 06, 2015 7:17 pm

I'll guess this fellow will be very pleased with his "non-Super" since he has nothing to compare his to.

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Tue. Jul. 07, 2015 6:42 am

"there is also some separation under the "chute" where the grates sit"

Can you give any more details on this or another pic or two? I guess the first pic posted is this issue, but I can't figure out the angle or area of that pic.

Is this separation where the stoker housing comes through the back of the stove? You may be missing a gasket but I am not sure.

Post by **StokerDon** » Tue. Jul. 07, 2015 8:11 pm

Titleist,

I was wondering where you were on this one. Did you take a vaction or something?

After looking at the first photo again, it looks like the fines cleanout under the stoker. The photo is sideways with the bottom of the stoker on the left. The bolt head is the fines cleanout bolt.

-Don

titleist1 · Post by **titleist1** » Tue. Jul. 07, 2015 9:58 pm

StokerDon wrote:I was wondering where you were on this one. Did you take a vacation or something?

I definitely get a demerit for not paying attention....been busy....some life style changes.....I'll throw a few lbs of coal into the community bucket for my penalty!

Sideways was the key bit of info....it makes sense to me now! I just looked at mine and there is a similar separation there. The welds are in the corners and do not extend all the way across that seam. I do not think that separation you have is a problem.

Did he replace the gasket where the stoker housing comes through the back of the stove and was the gasket between the grate holder and the stoker housing replaced? If not, I would replace those. They're cheap and then you will know they are good for a few years. If he didn't give the hopper a coat of spray paint I would recommend that also. Especially at the throat opening, sand it down to get rid of any rust and give it a couple coats of spray paint.

garyk2303 · Post by **garyk2303** » Wed. Jul. 08, 2015 7:46 pm

Sorry for not posting any follow up information. The stove is laying on its side in the picture, I have it in storage until we move into our new home. I am not sure on the other gaskets in question, but I will replace them before using. The entire stove was painted including the hopper. Regarding someones comment that I have nothing to compare it to. I had a Harman Elite insert hand fired stove at our last home, so I am somewhat familiar with the Harman product! My uncle has a Harman Magnum stoker, and my dad has a Keystoker. Thank you everyone for the great info.!

Harman Super Mag Stoker- Help Needed

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