Hitzer 983 Double Door Tending

Hello

Just kicked the pellet habit and installed a coal stove. My question is on the 983 double door do folks open the vents on the doors when tending to reduce puff backs. I watched the tending video but noticed he didnt bank his coal at all.

Thanks in advance

Rev the fire up for a few minutes before you tend to it. Coal doesn't like being fussed with when sleepy and the draft will help keep the smoke going where it is supposed to.

Hi, welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your escape from pelletville and the choice of a fine insert.

i got curious about the tending vid. you mentioned and I think I found it here.

HD Video: Tending a Hitzer Insert (983)

yours is virtually the same with exception of the doors. if you follow the process just the same you will have slim to zero chances of puff backs provided you don't jerk either of the load doors open during the blue flame stage of the fire directly after adding new coal.

the draft spinners or your doors are for advanced fire tuning by providing varying amounts of "over fire" air into the combustion process.

i'm sure some hitzer users will be along shortly to help you understand that.

happy heating,
steve

So far so good 2 weeks running with no issues. I even revived a nearly dead fire when I went out if town for 36 hours. My one question is around shaking.

If I shake until the first red embers fall I leave a ton of ash in the fire box. Is that okay or should I really shake hard for 30 seconds or so?

I am installing an air share and planning on heating 5000 sq feet with the stove in conjunction with a massive 12000 cfm ceiling fan.

Thanks in advance.

the hitzer crew will be along shortly but we will need pics of the air share system for sure.

Welcome.

Lots of Hitzer owners on here that can help

Welcome mhemberg, I would shake until I saw a decent amount of red from the underside plus I would always polk the grates to get it as even as possible ( see the photos in this thread) Cold Spots
I would shake and reload every 12 hrs or so when I was running hard 450°+ but every 24 hrs when I was around 450° or less.
I really liked the 983 heat monster but I can't take the blower noise anymore so Its up for sale .

I righted your stove for you so It may run better now