Stoker Novice
I have burned wood for 30 years though not as a steady diet. My primary heat source is oil-hot water baseboard. The events of the past few months have made me seriously consider an alternative. After a great deal of research including reading this forum, I have decided to try my hand at burning coal. I have recently purchased an Alaska Hearth model stoker, and would appreciate any comments, recommedations, or advise regarding this stove and its use. We plan to use this stove as our primary heat source for this coming winter. We live in a two story Saltbox with an "open" floor plan approximately 2000 Sq Ft. Any advise would be appreciated greatly. I have found this forum to be a very valuable resource and look forward to learning more. Rich G
- LsFarm
- Member
- Posts: 7383
- Joined: Sun. Nov. 20, 2005 8:02 pm
- Location: Michigan
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Self-built 'Big Bertha' SS Boiler
- Baseburners & Antiques: Keystone 11, Art Garland
Hello Rich G,, welcome to the forum.. Are you installing the Hearth model on a fireplace hearth?? Probably the only issue with your stoker will be with hooking it up to a chimney or to a powervent unit.. I would recommend a barometric damper and a manometer to monitor your draft... this will maximize your heat output from the stoker.
If you are going to vent the stoker up through a fireplace damper,, you want to make sure you seal the area around the vent pipe very well... you will have a round vent pipe going through a long rectangular opening,, so you need to have panels to seal off the open parts..
That's all I can think of right now.
read as much on the forum as you can, and let us know any specific questions.. and photos really help us help you !!
Greg L.
If you are going to vent the stoker up through a fireplace damper,, you want to make sure you seal the area around the vent pipe very well... you will have a round vent pipe going through a long rectangular opening,, so you need to have panels to seal off the open parts..
That's all I can think of right now.
read as much on the forum as you can, and let us know any specific questions.. and photos really help us help you !!
Greg L.
Hello Greg L,
Thank you for your reply. I will be putting the stove on a fireplace hearth and will be venting via the chimney. I purchased a round/oval stainless steel pipe liner to insert into the chimney, and attach to a barometric damper that comes with the stove. I have done limited reading about the damper though it seems like once it is adjusted it can be left alone. I will also look into the manometer. I appreciate your advice and I will keep you posted.
Rich G
Thank you for your reply. I will be putting the stove on a fireplace hearth and will be venting via the chimney. I purchased a round/oval stainless steel pipe liner to insert into the chimney, and attach to a barometric damper that comes with the stove. I have done limited reading about the damper though it seems like once it is adjusted it can be left alone. I will also look into the manometer. I appreciate your advice and I will keep you posted.
Rich G
- LsFarm
- Member
- Posts: 7383
- Joined: Sun. Nov. 20, 2005 8:02 pm
- Location: Michigan
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Axeman Anderson 260
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: Self-built 'Big Bertha' SS Boiler
- Baseburners & Antiques: Keystone 11, Art Garland
Hi Rich,, we will have our Manometer Loaner Program set up and available again sometime this fall.. you really need to have the stove burning to set the baro correctly... Once we are ready to start mailing the loaner units out, we will post a message on the forum
Take care,, Greg L
.
Take care,, Greg L
.