Keystoker HFH 70/90. Hopper Set up

Journeymansun · Post by **Journeymansun** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 1:51 pm

Might sound like a stupid question .... how does the hopper get set up ? Anyone with this stove have photos of their stove , specifically the hopper area from the top and bottom. I think my stove is missing something ??

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 2:05 pm

Can't help ya on that one J,. But just remember--the only stupid questions are the one's we don't ask.

Den034071 · Post by **Den034071** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 3:53 pm

Jay the hopper is basically a metal container that holds your coal .You open the top door Not the front door an the hopper is setting on the edges .Why not visit a stove shop .

Journeymansun · Post by **Journeymansun** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 4:07 pm

I understand what the hopper is. I was thinking there had to be a metal plate in there to stop "all" the coal from being on the grate. I've seen some side view drawings of how a hopper stove works. I'm just a little nervous , thinking there should be a piece of metal to hold back the majority of coal in the hopper. I'm still two weeks away from actually lighting her off.

windyhill4.2 · Post by **windyhill4.2** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 4:18 pm

Journeymansun wrote:I understand what the hopper is. I was thinking there had to be a metal plate in there to stop "all" the coal from being on the grate. I've seen some side view drawings of how a hopper stove works. I'm just a little nervous , thinking there should be a piece of metal to hold back the majority of coal in the hopper. I'm still two weeks away from actually lighting her off.

After lighting the stove & getting the bed of coals going decent,you just keep putting coal into the top of the hopper until no more fits in.

When the coal on the grates burn into ashes,some more coal from the hopper follows the sinking coals.

The hopper will not just keep flowing & empty out unless you were to fill it with water.

Coal will stay in the hopper until it is needed..... & then it will drop ~ little by little.

lsayre · Post by **lsayre** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 6:06 pm

The hopper can only be used with anthracite coal. Anthracite burns almost exclusively with air from underneath, so having a full hopper load of it sitting directly on top of the fire is perfectly normal. Do not try this with bituminous coal though, as the entire hopper load will ignite. Bit burns more like wood, with air from above.

There is nothing missing.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 7:21 pm

+1---tending every 12 hrs has been tried & true.

windyhill4.2 wrote:
Journeymansun wrote:I understand what the hopper is. I was thinking there had to be a metal plate in there to stop "all" the coal from being on the grate. I've seen some side view drawings of how a hopper stove works. I'm just a little nervous , thinking there should be a piece of metal to hold back the majority of coal in the hopper. I'm still two weeks away from actually lighting her off.
After lighting the stove & getting the bed of coals going decent,you just keep putting coal into the top of the hopper until no more fits in.

When the coal on the grates burn into ashes,some more coal from the hopper follows the sinking coals.

The hopper will not just keep flowing & empty out unless you were to fill it with water.

Coal will stay in the hopper until it is needed..... & then it will drop ~ little by little.

oliver power · Post by **oliver power** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 10:48 pm

I'm not familiar with your stove. I do know some hoppers are adjustable in length. My HITZERS, and D.S. Circulator have non adjustable hoppers. My Vermont Castings Vigilant hopper was adjustable. I have seen other adjustable hoppers, but don't remember name brands.

Rick 386 · Post by **Rick 386** » Sun. Dec. 18, 2016 11:40 pm

I posted on your other thread.

If you are not connecting to a regular masonry chimney or a triple wall stack, stop now and connect this stove properly!!!!!!!!!!

Rick

Robmail1 · Post by **Robmail1** » Mon. Dec. 19, 2016 8:37 am

As far as I know there is nothing to set up, It is as described a metal sleeve in the stove with an opening at the bottom. The sleeve holds a reserve of coal up and since air isn't passing through it it stays unburnt until you shake the burnt coal ash out of the way allowing the coal to fall down into the burn zone.

This is my second year buring in this stove, I had a Vigilant for about 3 seasons, I would never go back. This stove is literally less than 10 min. maintenance a day evan on the coldest days when I have to load it once in the morning and once at night. It has a huge ash pan so it only needs emptied once a day and the rocker grate system is awsome!

Just keep your coal loaded all the way to the top and it'll work like a charm!

Good luck!

Sorry I don't have a picture as mine is full to the brim with coal