Anyone Using a Powervent on a Hand Fired Stove?

mal91152 · Post by **mal91152** » Tue. Feb. 15, 2011 6:20 am

I just saw a stove hooked up to a powervent and it was not a feeder type. It actually was an old pot belly and the guy said he only burns coal. It was not running at the time but had plenty of ashes in the pot and I could see he was burning nut coal. Sounds scary to me.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Tue. Feb. 15, 2011 6:23 am

It is scarey...
Power fails...
Large pile of coal making CO with nowhere to go...
Except into your home...
You die...

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Tue. Feb. 15, 2011 8:34 am

I agree. The reason that the stokers get away with a power venter or a direct vent is that they have such a small amount of coal burning at any moment. If the electricity stops, the fire stops within minutes. With a hand fed you have several hours worth of coal it can be bad news if the power fails....or the power venter fails. So, while it's mechanically possible, it's up there pretty high on the list of dumb things to do.

freetown fred · Post by **freetown fred** » Tue. Feb. 15, 2011 8:41 am

I wonder if he just uses it as a conversation piece or constant heat source (apparently not the latter--it was out) is he there to tend it constantly? did you talk to him about his set up?--I'd be real nervous knowing I was useing something that I would have to worry about elec. or mech. failure

LsFarm · Post by **LsFarm** » Tue. Feb. 15, 2011 10:06 am

It's bad enough for all the above reasons. But an 'old potbelly' stove is far, far from airtight, and would for sure leak CO into the house..

Ask the guy if he's suicidal, or just stupid..

Greg L

Edit: I know the above is harshly worded, but I'm at a loss for words for this situation.

GL