Looking at Harmon TLC2000

Hello, all!

This is a great site! I've been looking at it now for a few days and my brain is...leaking. I can't hold anymore info. So I thought I'd just ask for a few opinions.

I'm looking at a Harmon TLC2000 because a) multi-fuel capable, b) there is a dealer within a 100 miles c) I want a stove that works when there's no power and d)I really like the whole 'coal' idea. Everything I've read for this stove seems to fit what I need. The problem is that I live in SE Nebraska, the Lincoln area. (yea, that state no one ever mentions, it's in the middle) and can't seem to find a coal provider other than mail order by Lehmans. I get a lot from them and they are an outstanding company so I've got no issues with them. The problem is the coal they sell is Reading. I've read here that the Harmon TLC and Reading coal don't mix too well.

Can I hear the stories of what exactly happened with this mix before I buy the stove and or a few tons of coal? Does anyone have any other stove suggestions? Does anyone know where I can get better coal? I'm looking into hardware stores, co-ops and the like but we just don't have too many people burning coal here ('cept for the power companies).

Lastly I was wondering what the experiences were with burning wood, pellets (of anything, in a Prometheus basket) Bitty coal or coke in this stove. I am really, REALLY wanting a stove that can burn a variety of fuels. We tend to hover about our wood stove now so I'm not too concerned with heating the whole house, just the area where we spend most of our time. I'm a self sufficiency nut, so I really don't want to rely on a single fuel.

There was a post from someone who was burning 'Bitty' coal in the Harman. Use the search at the top right corner of the page and it would not hurt to post in the 'Bitty' forum also. I think the trucking of anthracite coal to Nebraska would be prohibitive. Best to use what you have close by and that would be your 'Bitty'.

Well I have to agree that unless you are in the trucking business, getting anthracite in corn country is probably not going to be practical. But I like your "one size fits all" signature! Bit coal may be a good option for you though.

Copy of my response to this on the bituminous forum:





Welcome. I have a TLC-2000 & love it but your probably read my thread about having trouble with Reading Coal. about3251.html Here's a link to Blaschak http://www.blaschakcoal.com/html/stoves.htm which I've never had problems with. Contact them & see if you can find their coal near you.

Hitzer has stoves that burn wood , anthracite, and bituminous. The models are 254 and 354. Maybe give one of those a try. I'd guess they are in the same price range of the harman. They arent listed as wood, but i am sure they could burn it. Maybe give hitzer a call and see what models are bituminous capable.

Seems to me someone here burns bit in a TLC2000 successfully.......Can't remember who but I remember him saying the window stayed pretty clean even burning bit.

Good stove, buy one, the Mark series burns wood as well though not certed to do so. You may end up waiting until January for just about any Harmon.

Yea, I think you're right. I can't find a single dealer who will order or sell a coal stove in this state. Anyone have any suggestions for freighting one from any other lower 48 state? Every store I called won't even stock a Harmon of any kind. There seems to be some sort of conspiracy here.... However if I want a pellet stove for 3 grand they're lined up to take my order... I'm at the point now where I don't care if it's the Harmon TLC2000, just a good multi fuel stove that uses coal. Any suggestions? I'm looking into the Hitzer's now.

Janewaysgirl, pardon my query, though is that a Kahr PM9?

[quote="JanewaysGirl"]Yea, I think you're right. I can't find a single dealer who will order or sell a coal stove in this state. Anyone have any suggestions for freighting one from any other lower 48 state?



Try here


Rainee-Owner
AMERICAN ENERGY SAVERS
302 N. FRONT STREET / PO BOX 61295
NEW BEDFORD, MA.
02746
Phone: 508-992-2020

For 3 grand you can just about have your choice of hitzers from what i can tell. Good luck on getting a nice stove. I have a hitzer on order.

Uglysquirrel wrote:Janewaysgirl, pardon my query, though is that a Kahr PM9?

No silly, it's a picture of a Kahr PM9.

Devil5052 wrote:Try here


Rainee-Owner
AMERICAN ENERGY SAVERS
302 N. FRONT STREET / PO BOX 61295
NEW BEDFORD, MA.
02746
Phone: 508-992-2020

Thanks! I will call tomorrow!! So far the only person to contact me has been a nice lady from Leisure Line. But I'm hoping to get a hand stoke that will burn up to stove size coal and they have all auto feed that take rice size.

sharkman8810 wrote: For 3 grand you can just about have your choice of hitzers from what i can tell. Good luck on getting a nice stove. I have a hitzer on order.

I think the one that Lehman's is selling is the Hitzer 354. But they call it the 'large' stove. http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6390&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=671&iSubCat=737&iProductID=6390 can anyone confirm that for me?

I think that's what we're probably going to get as the other vendors I put a call into aren't calling back. Who knows. Maybe I'll just go for the potbelly.... http://www.lehmans.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=2729&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=671&iSubCat=737&iProductID=2729 at least it's not on backorder...

Stay away from the potbelly stove,, not what I would feel comfortable leaving with a fire and going to bed.. Stay with Hitzer, Harman, Alaska, etc.. They are meant to be full time, last forever, sleep safely heating appliances.

Contact Hitzer directly,, they will sell to an individual if there is not a dealer near you.. The 354 in your link is a hopper feed stove,, it may have the easily removed hopper [which can only be used with anthracite coal, not Bitum. coal.] or it may be the Hitzer stove with the 'non-removeable' hopper,, you need either no hopper or an easily removed hopper so you can use wood, Bitum. coal and anthracite interchangably..

The hizer folks are really nice people, give them a call..

Greg L.

Thanks!! I will call!! The only other option (that I found today) was a used Gibraltar MCC http://www.pennwoodcorp.com/UsedEquipment/UsedEquip.html. But it's a ruff deal to buy something that big by freight when it's used...

I'd call hitzer and see if they will ship factory direct. I think a guy with the handle markvii did this with a model 82.