HITZER Hopper Holes.

Does anyone have the holes at the back side of your hopper? I'm assumeing they are to let any build-up of gasses escape up the chimney, am I correct? I'm wondering if the holes would cause any turbulance in chimney draft. Maybe they are put in to CREATE turbulance, I don't know. Any comments? My 30-95 doesn't have holes in the back of the hopper. Seems to me that the holes might also let the fire go up into the hopper. Or, does the chimney draft overcome any draft from hopper holes. HITZER done away with the hopper gasket, and added holes. What's up with the hopper holes? Anyone??? Are these holes in all the gravity fed hopper models?

I have an Alaska Kodiak, and the hopper has a 1/2" wide slot about 5" long on the back, near the exhaust outlet. I assume it's to let gasses escape. I figure the coal in the hopper heats up from room temperature to whatever the interior stove temperature is. So it probably gives off some volatile gasses even though it doesn't have enough oxygen/air flow to burn. I would assume the Hitzer is similar .

You are correct on the holes in the back of the hopper. They are there to allow the gases to esecape as well as moisture from wet or damp coal. When new coal added there is some moisture in it which creates a steam buildup right under the hopper lid. We all know over time that moisture and steel don't mix well. The holes are just vent holes. In the 50-93 there is a vent in the hopper but you cant really see it like in the 30-95. It certainly would not hurt to pull the hopper out and drill a few holes in the back.

Fire375 wrote:You are correct on the holes in the back of the hopper. They are there to allow the gases to esecape as well as moisture from wet or damp coal. When new coal added there is some moisture in it which creates a steam buildup right under the hopper lid. We all know over time that moisture and steel don't mix well. The holes are just vent holes. In the 50-93 there is a vent in the hopper but you cant really see it like in the 30-95. It certainly would not hurt to pull the hopper out and drill a few holes in the back.

Thanks Guys, I may just do that after spring shut down. What catches my attention most is moisture.

My 30-95 hopper, like me, has holes in the back to let gasses out.

Forum --- Looking into the chute on my Hitzer 503 (not usually empty) I do not see any holes. This may be different since the chute is removable if you choose bituminous? Baldeagle

grizzly2 wrote:My 30-95 hopper, like me, has holes in the back to let gasses out.

Funny Grizz, very funny...

My 30-95 has the holes too.