I Need Some Recommendations

Post Reply
 
Captdav1
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 2:53 pm

Post by Captdav1 » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 5:22 pm

I am new to the forum and have been studying some of the topics that I have some questions in. I will be looking for a Coal Stove for next season as we are relocating to Northern MD. Having lived in Florida for the last 25 years you can tell I don't have much experience with coal stoves. We have purchased a house that is about 1800 Sq. / ft on the main level and with 1800 sq / ft finished basement. The primary source of heat in the home is heat pump upstairs and electric baseboard heat in the finished basement. I would like to install a coal stove in the basement with intent on getting some of the heat upstairs primarily just through circulation up the stairway and into the rest of the house. May require putting some vents in the floor to facilitate the air flow. The placement of the stove would not necessarily lend itself to piping into the ventilation system. I plan on using a SWG power vent given the logisics of the placement and outside parameters. I have looked at the Harman, Alaskan, Keystoker and Leisure Line websites and am curious as to others opinions given my setup what you would recommend. I would like the coal stove to as much as possible take over the primary heat delivery of the house. As it is a finished basement, aesthetics come into play as well as it won't be tucked away in hidden part of the basement. Plan on doing most of the work myself as I have a construction background just not with coal stoves and ventilation.

Looking forward to as many comments and suggestions as possible as I am certainly a rookie when it comes to coal stoves.

Captdav1

 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 6:27 pm

All are good and everyone will give you many different opinions on what works for them. I have both a Keystoker and Leisure Line and have had good luck with both for past 4 years.

 
User avatar
bigstick6017555
Member
Posts: 744
Joined: Mon. Jan. 12, 2009 8:10 pm
Location: Narvon 17555
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Harman Magnum
Coal Size/Type: rice

Post by bigstick6017555 » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 9:09 pm

hi, I have a Harman magnum stoker. I hope this helps you good luck
i have a house configuration about the same as yours. my house is 20 yrs.old, ranch style, it was built for electric radiant ceiling heat. 2400 sq.ft. upstairs, 2400 sq.ft full basement down. 3/4 of basement finished off for rec room, with a drop ceiling, in the winter I remove some of the ceiling tiles above the stove and from under the upstairs rooms, this helps heat the floors. I have no vents in the floors, the floors are hardwood (non insulated) main stairwell located in middle of house, and rec room.the hot and cold air up and down movement is done naturally using the main stairwell, there is no induced air movement except for the fan on the stove. the stove is located in rec room. connected to a 6" flue lined chimmney with a auto damper and heavy duty black stove pipe.(.03 wc before damper and .04 wc above fire). I am useing the mercury thermostat that came with the stove, located approx. 15 ft. from stove in rec room..i set the stoves control box up pretty much the same as per the instructions. I am running the feed rate about 3/4 -1inch hot coal bed from end of grates(high fire setting) the feed rate will vary because of the diff. coal's from diff. suppliers. this is something you have to play with and will learn. I have been doin it this way for approx 3 yrs. and it is working for me. the following is based on a 24 hr. cycle

rec room thermostat setting-----72-75 deg.------outside temps.---- mid 30'S and up-----upstairs temps------69-70 deg.(maintainance cycle will almost hold this)----35-45# coal

rec room thermostat setting----72-75 deg-------outside temps------------20's-------------upstairs temps-----68-70 deg--------------------- 50-60# coal

rec room thermostat setting-------80 deg---------outside temps.-----teens-single digits---upstairs temps----67-69 deg.--------------------60-80# coal

 
User avatar
lowfog01
Member
Posts: 3889
Joined: Sat. Dec. 20, 2008 8:33 am
Location: Springfield, VA
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Mark II & Mark I
Coal Size/Type: nut/pea

Post by lowfog01 » Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 9:25 pm

The first thing that I noticed was your intent to use a power vent. It’s my understanding that a power vent will not operate without electricity and having lived in the Mid-Atlantic States for 20 odd years I know Northern MD often experiences power outages due to winter storms (ice). You may want to plan for a generator or go with a standard chimney set up if possible – it’s something to think about anyway. I’d hate to go without heat of any kind for more then a couple of days.

Whatever style of coal stove you go with I don’t think you will have a problem with providing heat for your entire house. I am heating a 2000 sq ft split level – a less then ideal floor plan for heating with a stove due to the numerous doors and levels – with a Mark II hand fired stove. I have a fan on the stove itself and several doorway frame fans around the house to assist in distributing the heat. My family room, with the stove stays at 85* while the other parts of that level are at 75* and my upstairs stays at 65*. I get the impression from your posting that you will be dealing with a central stairwell which is perfect for a spreading the warmth to the upper level. Also you should have some residual heat moving through the floor.

To me your decision will be made on what type of coal you plan to use i.e. do you want a coal bin for bulk delivery, do you want a stove with a hopper, do you want to have a hand fed or do you want the freedom of a stoker. Is there a ready supply of that type coal? What can the room you have support? In my split level I don’t have room for any storage so my coal is in bags in the back yard. Just how much do you want to have to work at keeping the fire going? That’s all a function of the type of coal your chose. Decide on the type of coal that best fits your purpose and then finding a stove will be easy. I hope this helps. Lisa


 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 7:25 am

Yes, ALL Stoker Stoves require electricity to operate. You will loose the fire in about 20-30 minutes (Approx) with no combustion air to feed the fire.

The HAND Fired stoves (like Wood stoves) require NO electricity, except for maybe a room blower to move the heat around, and you have to load and shake them down every 8-12 hours or so.

 
Captdav1
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 2:53 pm

Post by Captdav1 » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 10:23 am

Thanks much for the input so far. I am planning on having an emergency generator as living in Florida through all the storms has made me an advocate of them. As far as feed goes, it will definetly be a automatic feed system. On the subject of coal, it will need to be stored outside as the basement is completely finished so no good area to store coal.

I'm curious as to the BTU rating of a system to heat that much room space. Would a 75 - 90K BTU be enough, or should I be lookin in the 100+ K BTU range. Also, what type of coal works best if you have to store outside. My wife's uncle has a stove up in MD that he keeps his coal outdoors and swears it can even be wet at times with no problem for the stove.

 
User avatar
Devil505
Member
Posts: 7102
Joined: Tue. Jul. 03, 2007 10:44 pm
Location: SE Massachusetts

Post by Devil505 » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 10:32 am

This is a good thread to compare the advantages of stoker vs hand fired stoves & vice/versa. Stoker or Hand Fed, Which Do You Use?

Personally I like my stove
**Broken Link(s) Removed** (which is hand fired) over a stoker because:

1. I can burn wood on milder days in the fall & spring for a quick fire. (you can even buy an optional screen so you can burn wood with the door removed like a fireplace)
2. They are cheaper to buy & have few moving parts to break
3. No electricity is required to operate (will work fine for power outages with no back-up generator or UPS needed)
4. Burn many different sizes of coal. (pea,nut,stove..will even burn bituminous)
5. No noise at all (unless you run a blower fan to distribute the heat better on colder days)

Disadvantage=
1. a bit more work than a stoker but not that bad. (I shake down once a day, but add coal a few shovels of coal during the day)...I would say I spend less than 30 mins a day operating it, & actually enjoy it.
2. You need to vent through a chimney, not a power vent.
Last edited by Devil505 on Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 10:51 am, edited 4 times in total.

 
User avatar
WNY
Member
Posts: 6307
Joined: Mon. Nov. 14, 2005 8:40 am
Location: Cuba, NY
Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Keystoker 90K, Leisure Line Hyfire I
Coal Size/Type: Rice
Contact:

Post by WNY » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 10:34 am

Depending on the insulation and windows, etc...I would think a 90K unit would heat your house. Depending on where you put it and how you have it ducted for heat (If any) upstairs.

Coal doesn't absorb moisture, it's only on the outside, it also keeps the dust down when shoveling it or loading it. Most of the bagged coal is pretty wet coming out of the bags from being washed at the breakers. Problem is the bags can freeze and take a while for them to thaw out once you bring them in.

Just make sure you keep most of the wetness out and/or covered, otherwise it will freeze into a large clump and make a mess and then very hard to break up and shovel. It will still burn fine even wet (Unlike Wood Pellets that have to be kept dry, they don't burn well or at all if damp.) You could build a small bin or shed that might hold 2-3 ton (Depending on how you get it either bagged or bulk). A lot of ideas.


 
User avatar
Poconoeagle
Member
Posts: 6397
Joined: Sat. Nov. 08, 2008 7:26 pm
Location: Tobyhanna PA

Post by Poconoeagle » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 10:44 am

Welcome to the forum, Capt Dav 1 . Having spent over 21 yrs in the Tampa Bay area I can appreciate your intended re-locate plan. My 2 cents would be to concider right off the bat to solder in some 3/4" copper and re-configure the house and basement for hot water baseboard, then you would reap the benefits of a heating system which might prove more efficient and adjustable as well as supporting endless domestic hot water . The electric consumption is minimal and adresses the "no hot water heater" electrical limitations of most "Fuel" efficient generators of 10 hp and less. The automatic coal boiler's can be had with high BTU output and can usually accomadate possible expansion of a radiant heat zone to a workshop or garage in the future. 8-)

 
Captdav1
New Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed. Feb. 04, 2009 2:53 pm

Post by Captdav1 » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 11:26 am

Wow great information to consider. Do need to go with an automatic feed however as the house does not have a chimney and due to ventilation layout I will need a power vent. Plenty of room outside to build a storage container so I can keep the elements off of the coal. I'll give thought to the copper idea as the location of the stove will be in range of the water supply and hot water heater. Not sure I want to tackly that project right away as I have enough on my plate to keep me busy during the move. Being in Florida for 30 years has thinned my blood so it's going to take a season or two to get it thickened back up again. Both my wife and I are originally from MD so it won't be like living on a different planet.

Any input on some favorite brands and their reliability, serviceabilty, warranty, customer support ?

Captdav1

 
User avatar
Devil505
Member
Posts: 7102
Joined: Tue. Jul. 03, 2007 10:44 pm
Location: SE Massachusetts

Post by Devil505 » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 12:05 pm

Captdav1 wrote:Do need to go with an automatic feed however as the house does not have a chimney and due to ventilation layout I will need a power vent.
Yes...... but the consensus here has always been to go with a chimney regardless of what you buy. A power vent must run 24/7 though the heating season, presents a potential noise & maintenance problem & will end up costing more than if you just had a masonry chimney installed in the first place. A masonry chimney will outlast you & never even require cleaning if you burn nothing but Anthracite. (one less expense & headache to worry about)

 
User avatar
coal berner
Member
Posts: 3600
Joined: Tue. Jan. 09, 2007 12:44 am
Location: Pottsville PA. Schuylkill County PA. The Hart Of Anthracite Coal Country.
Stoker Coal Boiler: 1986 Electric Furnace Man 520 DF

Post by coal berner » Thu. Feb. 05, 2009 12:34 pm

Captdav1 wrote:Wow great information to consider. Do need to go with an automatic feed however as the house does not have a chimney and due to ventilation layout I will need a power vent. Plenty of room outside to build a storage container so I can keep the elements off of the coal. I'll give thought to the copper idea as the location of the stove will be in range of the water supply and hot water heater. Not sure I want to tackly that project right away as I have enough on my plate to keep me busy during the move. Being in Florida for 30 years has thinned my blood so it's going to take a season or two to get it thickened back up again. Both my wife and I are originally from MD so it won't be like living on a different planet.

Any input on some favorite brands and their reliability, serviceabilty, warranty, customer support ?

Captdav1
Here Is Some Info for you to read They all make Good Products .
L.L.Stove's Will Have The Best Customer service out of all of them.
Baker Stove's will also be good aswell . Have fun Reading

http://www.leisurelinestoves.com/index.html
**Broken Link(s) Removed**This is L.L. Stove's Retail Store .
**Broken Link(s) Removed**http://www.bakerstoves.com/stoves4.htm
**Broken Link(s) Removed**


Post Reply

Return to “Stoker Coal Furnaces & Stoves Using Anthracite (Hot Air)”