Hopper Fed (50-93) or Regular Hand-Fed for Basement?
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- Member
- Posts: 6446
- Joined: Mon. Apr. 16, 2007 9:34 pm
- Location: Central Maine
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine 1300 with hopper
- Coal Size/Type: Blaschak Anthracite Nut
- Other Heating: Oil hot water radiators (fuel oil); propane
You asked about real-world output, and about hoppers.
I had a Harman Mk 1 which was a great stove, excellent quality. But no hopper. Noisy fan. Realistic output was about 50 to 60 percent of the manufacturers rating, unless you wanted to push it so hard you had to load coal every 6 hours.
I have switched from the Harman to a DS Machine circulator. With hopper. No fan -- quiet -- ahhhh. Can't yet comment on realistic output vs. manufacturer's claims. But I would NOT go back to a hand-fed stove without a hopper!
I had a Harman Mk 1 which was a great stove, excellent quality. But no hopper. Noisy fan. Realistic output was about 50 to 60 percent of the manufacturers rating, unless you wanted to push it so hard you had to load coal every 6 hours.
I have switched from the Harman to a DS Machine circulator. With hopper. No fan -- quiet -- ahhhh. Can't yet comment on realistic output vs. manufacturer's claims. But I would NOT go back to a hand-fed stove without a hopper!
- Ed.A
- Member
- Posts: 1635
- Joined: Thu. Aug. 30, 2007 7:27 pm
- Location: Canterbury Ct.
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska Channing III/ '94 Stoker II
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
No offense to the OP, but "Stokers have to many moving parts"? Although not a handfired, stokers are hardly technological feats of engineering. Can they be abit fickle? yes, yes they can, but I'll take them over a Pellet stove anyday ( Ha! people call Coal dirty LOL).
The smallest cheapest Generator (or Inverter with deep cell battery) will keep the heat going without worry.
Note : I'm Not trying to talk you out of a Stoker, just trying to explain why they aren't the "monster" some think they are.
Best of luck on your decision.
The smallest cheapest Generator (or Inverter with deep cell battery) will keep the heat going without worry.
Note : I'm Not trying to talk you out of a Stoker, just trying to explain why they aren't the "monster" some think they are.
Best of luck on your decision.
- agcowvet
- Member
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Mon. Oct. 08, 2012 9:27 pm
- Location: Stanley, Finger Lakes, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: efm AF150
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93
- Other Heating: Newmac NL-2 (oil)
Ya no way for a pellet stove. Way too much work and they sure wouldn't reliably stay dry in my basement, and my garage is already too full.
As far as a stoker goes--I guess I hate to be reliant on a gasoline engine attached to a generator attached to a voltage regulator attached to 3 electric motors and assorted controls and moving parts, for heat, when gravity will do the job...it would be a different story if this purchase was intended to completely replace the oil furnace, and a separate heat source for 'bad weather backup' existed...but this is meant to replace the oil as much as possible AND be the 'bad-weather backup.'
Did buy the stove tonight. Hitzer 50-93 with removable hopper. Heavy sucker, even with all the bricks, the door, and one grate out. Good shape; needs new gaskets here and there, pivots oiled, and front brick retainer angle straightened; otherwise, OK! (Didn't try the blower, but it spun freely and quietly.) Had more coal than expected, gave her a little more $, thought deal was just a little too much in my favor otherwise.
So, thanks for the info. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes along.
Added on edit:
Don't mean to sound like I am running down stokers, they sure have their place, just don't think they'd be the best choice for me at the moment.
As far as a stoker goes--I guess I hate to be reliant on a gasoline engine attached to a generator attached to a voltage regulator attached to 3 electric motors and assorted controls and moving parts, for heat, when gravity will do the job...it would be a different story if this purchase was intended to completely replace the oil furnace, and a separate heat source for 'bad weather backup' existed...but this is meant to replace the oil as much as possible AND be the 'bad-weather backup.'
Did buy the stove tonight. Hitzer 50-93 with removable hopper. Heavy sucker, even with all the bricks, the door, and one grate out. Good shape; needs new gaskets here and there, pivots oiled, and front brick retainer angle straightened; otherwise, OK! (Didn't try the blower, but it spun freely and quietly.) Had more coal than expected, gave her a little more $, thought deal was just a little too much in my favor otherwise.
So, thanks for the info. I'm sure I'll have more questions as time goes along.
Added on edit:
Don't mean to sound like I am running down stokers, they sure have their place, just don't think they'd be the best choice for me at the moment.
- Ed.A
- Member
- Posts: 1635
- Joined: Thu. Aug. 30, 2007 7:27 pm
- Location: Canterbury Ct.
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: Alaska Channing III/ '94 Stoker II
- Coal Size/Type: Rice
I'm sure you'll be happy, sounds like you made a good deal.
I can understand your staying old-school off the grid thingy....my old wood stove made me content as well until I discovered Coal, and never looked back.
Power outages over here are a Bi**ch, so yeah a hand fired is great...even better in some cases ( especially since you don't need gas/diesel).
My fire stays lit for 15mins on avg, so plugging in my Gen, turning the key and fipping my breakers takes alot less than 10 so it's all good for me.
PS, my Stoker is my Primary Source.
I can understand your staying old-school off the grid thingy....my old wood stove made me content as well until I discovered Coal, and never looked back.
Power outages over here are a Bi**ch, so yeah a hand fired is great...even better in some cases ( especially since you don't need gas/diesel).
My fire stays lit for 15mins on avg, so plugging in my Gen, turning the key and fipping my breakers takes alot less than 10 so it's all good for me.
PS, my Stoker is my Primary Source.
- freetown fred
- Member
- Posts: 30300
- Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
- Location: Freetown,NY 13803
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
- Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut
Good deal AV And don't worry about not going with one of them, thar girly stoves. You'll love the 50-93
- fastcat
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- Posts: 444
- Joined: Thu. Nov. 12, 2009 11:50 pm
- Location: CNY (McGraw)
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93
- Coal Size/Type: Blaschak Nut/Stove Mix
Congrats on your new to you stove. If your thinking of putting a large grate in the floor over the stove there is a place in Syracuse that sells the large floor grates out of old houses, don't know there name or where they are in Syracuse but if you ask around I bet you can find them.
- SteveZee
- Member
- Posts: 2512
- Joined: Wed. May. 11, 2011 10:45 am
- Location: Downeast , Maine
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Glenwood Modern Oak 116 & Glenwood 208 C Range
Jacob, Very good on the new stove and props to Freetown F for his relentless Hitzer 50-93 posterchilding . Honestly Hitzer need to start paying FF some commission!
That said, I think you'll find this stove to be a great choice for your needs. You mentioned the chimney and the only thimble in the basement, but really putting another thimble in is no more than a couple hours work. That choice of the 50-93 is also better since it will fit right in the main floor too and looks better than the other design (model 82) and is not nearly as dusty due to the ash shaking with door closed should you ever decice to relocate the stove.
I started out with the idea of just converting my old Glenwood cookstove in order to suppliment the cost of oil heat. I now have an additional Glenwood cylinder stove in the living room and heat my whole 226yr old home on the Maine coast with coal alone. That's how good I found it to be! My only wish was that I'd "discovered" it earlier and not spent the (significant) money to have a brand new steam boiler installed the year before. I'm now content in the knowledge that I have a great backup system if I'm traveling! I'm only telling you this because you'll soon see how excellent these stoves can work for you.
That said, I think you'll find this stove to be a great choice for your needs. You mentioned the chimney and the only thimble in the basement, but really putting another thimble in is no more than a couple hours work. That choice of the 50-93 is also better since it will fit right in the main floor too and looks better than the other design (model 82) and is not nearly as dusty due to the ash shaking with door closed should you ever decice to relocate the stove.
I started out with the idea of just converting my old Glenwood cookstove in order to suppliment the cost of oil heat. I now have an additional Glenwood cylinder stove in the living room and heat my whole 226yr old home on the Maine coast with coal alone. That's how good I found it to be! My only wish was that I'd "discovered" it earlier and not spent the (significant) money to have a brand new steam boiler installed the year before. I'm now content in the knowledge that I have a great backup system if I'm traveling! I'm only telling you this because you'll soon see how excellent these stoves can work for you.
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- Member
- Posts: 360
- Joined: Wed. Mar. 05, 2008 7:27 pm
- Location: south central pa
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: hitzer 82 ul
- Coal Size/Type: nut
I was going to suggest the 82, I built a metal shell around mine, and then put an 8" duct from the top of the shell to the ceiling so the heat can be ducted to where it needs to be. I do this with my old house (100+ yrs). The reason is so that your not wasting coal heating an unfinished basement. The 82 FA would be optimum for your need. I'm not sure if you have an efficient way to move the heat from the basement to the first floor.
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- Location: Chester, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Stove: LL AnthraKing 180K, Pocono110K,KStokr 90K, DVC
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Invader 2
- Baseburners & Antiques: Wings Best, Glenwood #8(x2) Herald 116x
- Coal Size/Type: Rice,
- Other Heating: Heating Oil CH, Toyotomi OM 22
Yeh, Fred's very cheap to buy. You must appreciate the board has their share of lunies. You've got camps, the Hitzer camp, AnthraKing and LL stoves (me), the EFM boys and the AA crazies, William and the baseburners (hey, great name for a rock group) and many others. None of us to my knowledge prostitute themselves to a manufacturer - OK, Fred may be an exception (I slay myself) - but I am talking generally. When you have a great coal stove that keeps you from freezing to death at reasonable cost you tend to be a fan of the game you are following. Fans are not logical. Great fuel and many great choices and it does not mean the guy that does not follow your team is wrong.Jacob, Very good on the new stove and props to Freetown F for his relentless Hitzer 50-93 posterchilding
- freetown fred
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- Joined: Thu. Dec. 31, 2009 12:33 pm
- Location: Freetown,NY 13803
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: HITZER 50-93
- Coal Size/Type: BLASCHAK Nut
NOT LOGICAL??? I resemble that you old Limey woodpecker--talk about slaying ones self AND, yep, I might be cheap, but I ain't no *censored* puppy av's gonna be a happy camper when he gets through that learning curve
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- Member
- Posts: 6446
- Joined: Mon. Apr. 16, 2007 9:34 pm
- Location: Central Maine
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: DS Machine 1300 with hopper
- Coal Size/Type: Blaschak Anthracite Nut
- Other Heating: Oil hot water radiators (fuel oil); propane
No, no -- FRUGAL.freetown fred wrote:yep, I might be cheap
By the same token, my back acres are not a swamp, they are an ecologically-valuable wetland.
- agcowvet
- Member
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Mon. Oct. 08, 2012 9:27 pm
- Location: Stanley, Finger Lakes, NY
- Hot Air Coal Stoker Furnace: efm AF150
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 50-93
- Other Heating: Newmac NL-2 (oil)
@fastcat: Some sort of architectural salvage place eh? IIRC there may even be some closer. Yes, an old cast-iron floor grate would be just the thing for that use.
@SteveZee: Thought about putting in a thimble but, that plan was nixed by the better half. Would put stove a little close (~6' or so) to the bottom of the stairs, if a kid fell or ran down stairs and didn't stop in time...
Again, thanks for all the input, now working on a safe way to get the stove downstairs. Very easy to move on the level, or on a slight slope, just a piece of plywood with rollers of pipe, but it'd be Interesting in a Hurry to try that on ramps on stairs even without rollers I suspect it would slide a little too quickly.
@SteveZee: Thought about putting in a thimble but, that plan was nixed by the better half. Would put stove a little close (~6' or so) to the bottom of the stairs, if a kid fell or ran down stairs and didn't stop in time...
Again, thanks for all the input, now working on a safe way to get the stove downstairs. Very easy to move on the level, or on a slight slope, just a piece of plywood with rollers of pipe, but it'd be Interesting in a Hurry to try that on ramps on stairs even without rollers I suspect it would slide a little too quickly.
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- Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
- Coal Size/Type: nut and pea
There is a thread on this topic. some only took a second or two to get the stove downstairs.agcowvet wrote:Again, thanks for all the input, now working on a safe way to get the stove downstairs. Very easy to move on the level, or on a slight slope, just a piece of plywood with rollers of pipe, but it'd be Interesting in a Hurry to try that on ramps on stairs even without rollers I suspect it would slide a little too quickly.
How Did You Get Your Coal Stove Into Your House???