New to Site...Us Stove Hotblast Furnace Wood or Coal?

coaledsweat wrote:What does a new Hotblast cost at TSC?

The 1557 like mine is $1399

Thanks everyone for the help. I need something to hook into my duct work. I have an older house and it's not very well insulated and the best way to hear them is through the duct work. I'm thinking about just burning wood. Are there other furnace better for burning just coal? The one at tractor supply is just more convient and cheaper for me but I'm not opposed to buying another brand if it's better for burning antherite

The two fuels have vastly different needs to burn efficiently. It is best to buy what the fuel you choose is happy with. That will make you happy.
Stoker furnace.

Dustint456 wrote:Thanks everyone for the help. I need something to hook into my duct work. I have an older house and it's not very well insulated and the best way to hear them is through the duct work. I'm thinking about just burning wood. Are there other furnace better for burning just coal? The one at tractor supply is just more convient and cheaper for me but I'm not opposed to buying another brand if it's better for burning antherite

If you want a hand fed furnace, the one Lee(Lightning) mentioned. The Kozy King by DS Stoves. It's made for Anthracite.

Hitzer 55 or 82 furnace? Burns anything less flammable than kerosene. maybe even tires. Just a thought. Or a super cheap used 1980's Riteway?

Personally, if the Hitzer would suit your needs, I'd pick it before any of the TSC stoves. New doesnt mean too much if the price is right.

check your local Craigs list for a second hand unit. If you end up with a hot blast or Clayton or something similar, they can burn both wood or coal. The 1557 from tractor supply should be plenty for 1500 sq ft home. Mine heats 2400 sq ft with 12 hours between tending on anthracite with 70's in the house and -10 outside. Been there done that.

You'll be happier with coal since it has a longer, more steady heat output burn cycle. Be prepared to feed wood every 6 hours or less once the bitter cold sets in, should you decide to burn wood instead.

I had a Clayton 7.1 and to be honest I ended up sending it down the road. In defence of the Clayton I was a total greenhorn when using coal. When running right it was a heat monster, but my problem was regulating it. On the other hand Lightning has mastered his unit. If you have a good knowledge of anthracite burning principles you might be happy with a Hot blast or Clayton. I bought a used DS Machine coal stove (actually it will burn wood) but it is designed for coal and have been very happy with it's performance which is largely controlled by the bi-metal primary air inlet but it is definitely not in the BTU range of the Clayton. One more thing, if I can ever find an affordable/restorable turn of the century Base Burner or Double Heater with a good size firepot the DS Machine will be up for sale. I started with coal last year and bought stoves before I researched. My bad.

Not sure what exactly is "central" PA but for cost comparison to the TSC handfed you are looking at, I see a keystoker furnace on CL for $1k in Carlisle.

I think sometimes the decision to get the TSC products is cost driven but people don't seem to realize if they look for a few weeks in classifieds and are willing to travel a little they can find cost competitive used equipment that is designed with coal as the primary fuel.

Anthracite devices are as robust as a main battle tank, they have to be. We have members with appliances that are 6 or more decades old and will perform many more. Woodburners can burn coal but they and you will suffer from it, speaking from experience.

If I put the insulation around my grates will that help with burning antherite. I don't want to do a lot of mods to the furnace just to burn coal. I've never burnt coal before. My brother in law has the same furnace and he burns wood and says he has kids running around the house in their underwear in the winter. I'm more concerned with my burn time I don't want to come home from work and my firebox be out.

Yes it will. Just follow Lightnings mods to block off the air at the front and rear of the grates. You might want to do the 'grate repair' before even starting up the stove though, it will benefit you in the long run.

Dustin,have you watched the video that was posted earlier of Lightning tending his furnace ? If you look at that as a thing you would like to do every day,buy one,otherwise buy a furnace made specifically for burning anthracite. I would much rather buy a good used anthracite furnace than to waste money on a Hotblast wood/coal furnace. Just expressing my feelings on the subject,you can buy what you want. Just remember this when you get frustrated with the cheap unit this winter.

Yeah I understand. Thanks everyone for your help and input. I'll let you guys know what I figure out

Dustin, if you are going to burn Anthracite coal, this may be for you: **Broken Link(S) Removed**

Buy the 1357 like mine and u don't have to do the insulation or ANYTHING! The liners seal on a 1357 and there is only 1 grate so there is nothing to fix there either, I used the 1357 for 2,100 sq ft no problem last year with 14-16 hour burns in the dead of winter up here by the Canadian border.