coal size recommendation?

Sorry for a rookie question, but I searched and couldn't find the topic covered. I have a Hitzer 503 on the way, and was told it could burn nut or pea size. Is there any advantage one size has over the other such as heat content or burn length , or price? 20 years ago I had a Surdiac which could only burn pea, so I had no choice.

The pea will bun longer the nut will give you more heat. The pea will slow the air flow reducing the output. You can also mix them.

While we're on the subject - my stoves' manual suggests using nut size(hand-fired). Do you think I'd be better off staying with nut or going with stove sized? Is it significantly larger?

Stove is fist sized, and nut is chicken egg size.. stove is too big for most stoves.. unless you need a lot of heat, and have a very large firebox and want to feed it more often.. Stove worked in my 'Big Bertha' boiler,, but it held about 200# at a time.. a big firebox,,

I'd stick with nut,, maybe buy a few bags of stove size to try when the weather is really cold.

Greg L

wfd.lt wrote:Sorry for a rookie question, but I searched and couldn't find the topic covered. I have a Hitzer 503 on the way, and was told it could burn nut or pea size. Is there any advantage one size has over the other such as heat content or burn length , or price? 20 years ago I had a Surdiac which could only burn pea, so I had no choice.

Here are the standard Anthracite sizes With your 503 stick with Nut you will be able to control the heat and fire better
Pea don't throw off as much heat it my burn a little longer depending on your setup Stove coal will work to more heat less
burn time mix it with nut on them real cold nights put the nut in first then throw on the stove you will like the extra heat

http://www.readinganthracite.com/mining_sizes.html