sf-250 or Mark III

I am in the market for a new stove but I'm not sure what I want. There is a waiting list for Harmon Stoves here in Schoharie County NY (as well as everywhere else or so I hear) so I won't be able to get one until early next year. First some background, We are currently in the process of buying a house, an 18 year old single story ranch in the mountains, 1500 sq. ft. The stove will be installed in the basement. The basement is about 1/3 finished and we may finish more. I have a 30 yr. old Godin that my father gave me that I will use for the for now until I can get a harmon along with electric baseboard that is in the house now, if we need it. I would like to get some feedback from sf-250 owners on burn times, how much coal does it hold and how much do you burn in a year and is this stove too much for my application? Does anyone think a Mark III is better for my house. The stove will be the primary source of heat for the house. Whatever feedback I could get to help me make my purchase would be muchly appreciated.

I have a Mark III in the basement of our 2000 sq ft ranch house and it has heated the house very well. It can get a good 12 hour burn between shaking and loading. Our basement is unfinished. The hardwood floors are nice and warm in the winter. I just use the Harmon supplied blower to move the air across the basement and up the steps. The back bedrooms are about 5-7 degrees cooler than the other rooms but we prefer a cooler room to sleep in so it works for us. My coal pile is outside and I have an outside entrance to the basement now so I track in a lot less dirt through the kitchen (and receive less grief) bringing in the buckets of coal.

Even though I am happy with mine, with the issues Harmon is having I would look around at other possibilities like a Hitzer.

Even though I am happy with mine, with the issues Harmon is having I would look around at other possibilities like a Hitzer.

You are referring to the issue of supply?

The SF 250 may be too big for 1500sf, Unless you reduce the firebox. I heat 2500sf + my basement with a SF250. Burn time is about the same as with the Mark III, about 10-12hrs to reload. Can go 18hrs but risk burning out fire with low heat last 4 hrs.

tjmack3rd wrote:

Even though I am happy with mine, with the issues Harmon is having I would look around at other possibilities like a Hitzer.

You are referring to the issue of supply?

Yes, the issues of supply and their less than stellar track record of customer service if you would happen to need it. From what I have read on here Hitzer also makes a good product and actually doesn't mind talking to a customer. They may be a little more available than a Harmon.

Orders placed now are shipping in December for Hitzer. Just received the 503 yesterday. Hitzer was a pleasure to deal with and stove arrived, as promised, 4 weeks after ordering on June 27. Hitzer has several models that will meet your needs.

There is or was a brand new SF250 for sale in the 'Items for Sale' forum at the bottom of the forums list.. Available now... the money saved on not buring oil or electricity is substancial...

The SF250 may be oversize for your house.. but even if it is, you will save money burning coal

Greg L..

Better to have too big of a stove then to have one too small.

Really like my sf250 but the ash pan does not catch all the ashes. I was always going to weld in angle iron on the sides to move ash away from the sides.

Any of you guys have the firebox reducer? And was wondering the sq. ft you guys heat with it

I'm heating 2300 sf + full basement with a custom built coil in it hooked up to my oil boiler with no problems. I don't have a reducer for the fire box. I can idle it down to a 1/4 turn on the draft knob which will be right around 160* to 180* over the fire temp, looking in the door you can't even see it's burning.