Chipped porcelain on Jotul 507

OK, here's an efficency statement/number--you bet your sweet ass that coal has a higher heating efficency index--daryl, that's the best this old farmer could come up with. Glad you decided to go with the Jotul--you'll be real pleased.

Efficiency numbers for solid fuel stoves are usually just a lot of salesman BS.. the reason being that someone will start arguing about 5% yet the
fuel can vary 25%.. so the numbers are almost totally subjective..
IF someone took X fuel, tested it for BTU content and then tested the stove, then you may have a number that meant something..
But, have you ever looked at a chart for the BTU content of various wood species, and just how dry is DRY? Just too many variables.

Now coal, it is tested, and an actual spec sheet can be obtained, so that at least helps.. but then comes in the other Variables:

Operator style, experience,
Chimney type, draft,
Size of coal.
Desired heat output from stove : exterior of stove body temperature.

There are just too many variables and subjectiive opinions that are assigned to have meaningfull NUMBERS..

But, Coal you can load probably every 8-15 hours, depending on how hot you burn the stove.
With wood, you will add wood every 2-4 hours..

Just what type of chimney DO you have??

And make sure you buy and install at least TWO carbon monoxide dectors before you light a match to any coal !!

Greg L.

I own both 507's and used them the first 2 years I lived at this house. My house is about 1000 sq ft. From november to the first of april I would burn about 1.5 tons of coal a year. It would keep the house warm as long it was above 10 degrees out side. When the temperature got colder I would have to turn on the furnace to help out.
I would start a fire in the early evening with wood and then load the coal in. I would get up at 5 am and turn the grate and load more coal. I would get back home about 6:30 at night and the fire would be just going out. And then I would start a new fire. They rated the stove at 5000 sq ft. and you can burn any type of coal in it. the middle dial is used only if u burn bituminus or coke. You can even burn peat in it. It's to bad they did not make the stove a little bigger so as to heat a larger area.
You can call Jotul in Maine and they will send you all the info on the 507. When you burn anthracite keep the middle dial closed. The top dial is for burning off the gasses about a turn and a half with do it. The bottom dial I use to keep at 1.5 and would burn at about 450 degrees. So I got about a 20 hour burn with my 507.

Iam on my way to Cape Cod in about half an hour to pick up a 507b in excellent condition for $435. It will replace my present 507 which I purchased in early 80's and has been in use since. My present Jotul is burning right now and still works fine, but should be rebuilt, which I plan to do once the "new" stove is in place. Some parts are still available, but the stove is no longer made. They are excellent coal burners and put out a lot of heat with anthracite nut coal. I burn about 2 tons per year, which is available bulk here In Rhode Island. I also burn wood in a big Coalbrookdale in my great room. Nice thing about coal is no problems with creosote and soot. Once it is going on coal, no smoke at all coming out of chimney - only heat waves. They are great stoves with coal, but kind of a waste of time with wood, except for the kindling fire. They are almost bulletproof if you don't constantly over fire it, which is very easy to do if you forget a door open when first getting it going. I have had mine red hot, but it did not seem to do any significant damage. Don't worry about dings in the enamel - they happen with time and give the stove character. Good luck with your stove..