Coalpail.com Forum

Hello,
I've been struggling with trying to figure out how much my coal stove is worth because I want to sell it. Apparently the prior owner to my house used to have a wood stove and switched to a coal stove without switching the chimney lining. The lining is now destroyed and we haven't been able to use the stove since we moved in 4 years ago. I run the house on electric and cannot replace the lining at this time as it was estimated to be quite costly. The stove is in working condition, 6 years old, a Harman 44 Mag with a door that has cracked glass. I know the prior owner was running the stove with the glass like that, but it's probably advisable to fix. Can anyone give me an estimate of what this might be worth?

Thank you!
Kristy

Hello Kristy, if you can, please post a photo of the stove. There is a Harman Mag Stoker stove, however,there is not a 44Mag stove listed on Harmans website. So some clarification is needed.

A Mag stoker would have a rectangular coal box or hopper on the back of the stove, with a lid you lift off to add more coal. There would be a motorized mechanism under the hopper, and a blower/fan on the back of the stove as well.

If this description fits your stove, then the value is between ~$800 up to maybe $1200. These are the prices I see a Harman Mag Stoker going for on Ebay lately.

If your Stove doesn't fit this description please read the plate on the back of the stove and tell us what it says.

As for the Chimney liner, the coal is not what caused the damage, the wood stove is what damaged the liner. A coal stove is easier on a chimney than a wood stove. What happened to the liner? Rust away?

I would seriously consider fixing the liner, you won't believe the savings over ELECTRIC !!! heat that coal will offer.

Give us some more info and lets see if we can help.

Greg L.

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I agree with Greg, I doubt it was the coal burning that ruined the chimney liner. I also agree with fixing the liner and burning coal. In just one years time burning coal you will have recovered the money you spent fixing the liner.

Coalstoves...do you know how old it is..reason I ask is the control box looks different than my box...Just Curious...

you got a good deal...looks in great shape..you will be happy with it..

Al

AL-53 wrote:Coalstoves...do you know how old it is..reason I ask is the control box looks different than my box...Just Curious...

you got a good deal...looks in great shape..you will be happy with it..

Al

No I'm not sure of the age yet, haven't got her moved to my place yet the snow messed us up..

When I check the numbers on it I'll send ya a message.

It's going into my mothers house for next years heating it will be replacing an old old Franco Belge . I needed something tough that just works cause Mom can be a little user unfriendly. I am debating the Coal Trol upgrade but would at least like to try the Harman system . I went for a Harman pretty much on their reputation for heavily made well built stoves and the time they have been around the business.

The control looks the same as my Harman Mag, which is a 10 year old unit, not sure if the new ones look any different. I did notice a couple of holes in the back of the hopper, were they made on purpose, or was it corrosion. In any event, they are certainly big enough to spill some coal. Just my 2 cents.

Hello everyone,
Thanks for your feedback. Yes, Greg I believe you are right. I think it is a Mag stoker stove. On the back it says Listed Coal Burning Room Heater 44 Mag if that helps. Here are pics though which I'm sure will tell you what it is. I don't know, the chimney guy said it was the gases emitted from the coal stove that destroyed the original liner although I heard afterward that his company is not very reputable. Yes, it is super rust damaged, just crumbled right apart. I would very much like to sell it as I plan on moving anyhow and could use the money to fix other issues with my house. Right now as you can see it is being used as a piece of furniture. I do understand it's efficiency, I just think it's the best option for me at this time instead of going for the fix the lining route.

Thanks,
Kristy

Hi Kristy, I don't think that is a Mag Stoker, it looks like a DVC 500 model. When you open the door is there a chute or shelf with small holes in it where the coal comes up and over falling off the front into an ash pan?

The Harman Mag Stoker doesn't have the smaller base or pedistal base, it is the same width from top to bottom.

If you are moving, yes I'd probably do the same, the only way it would help sell the house would be if you sold it to a person who is familiar with burning coal.

Where are you located?? can you fill in your forum information, you may get a PM or two from members on the forum

The classifieds on the forum are free, and are seen by all of us who like to burn coal. I'd post one of the photos and an ad in the classifieds and see what happens.

I think the prices I mentioned above still stand, it is really hard to get more that $12-1500 for a used stove.

Good luck. Greg L

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Hi Greg,
I think you are correct. The door hasn't been opened in so long that it's jammed, but that sounds correct. I guess that is what I'll advertise it as. Can you tell me how to update my forum information? I am from Lake Ariel, PA. I'd like to post it in the classifieds to see if I can get some interest.

Thanks,
Kristy

Hi Kristy,

I'm in Carbondale so I could take a look at it if you like. If it is a DVC500 then that would explain problems with the chimney, the stove is designed for use without a chimney. The direct vent draws fresh air in around the outlet which wouldn't be so great to try and hook up to a chminey.

See the link for a brochure on how thw stove works:
**Broken Link(s) Removed**Also I would say that an ad in the Paper Shop is an effective way to sell it in addition to putting one on the forum. I have had good luck buying and selling coal stoves in there since the audience is in coal country!

The thing to remember is that a stove that has been sitting will probably not bring very much, especially if the door is rusted shut. Although the direct vent model is more expensive and rare than the magnum stoker.

If you have a way to get it the door open, make sure there is no ash or coal left in there. If ash and or coal have been left inside it will probably require dissasessembly before anyone tries to run it since frozen parts can ruin the stoker motor.

Harman used to make a smaller stker called the 44mag. It is listed on the site and you can download the owners manual. I just tried to open it but their server is having some issues. I tought I remembered looking at one about 5 yers ago when bought my Harman pellet stove. I think it was just a chimney version of the DVC but I am not quite sure.

Good save Jim! Now it all makes sense, I couldn't figure out how they were using a direct vent with a chimney!

Here is the link:
**Broken Link(s) Removed**

Hi Matt and Jim,
I think Jim is right. That appears to be the correct model. My husband managed to pry the door open, too. Yep, there's ash and coal in there. So what do you think now? That maybe I could get like $600 or so? That's been my issue all along, I don't want to rip anyone off including myself on the value of it and I'm so coal illiterate. I'm really glad I stumbled upon this group though. You guys have been a huge help! I can't tell you how long I've been staring at the thing in the middle of my living room feeling frustrated.

Thanks,
Kristy

No wonder that stove looks familiar it is my old P-61 pellet stove modified to burn coal. The link said it has the pellet feeder and burn pot but I wonder if they were pushing the air form underneath the fire like out stokers or did they use an exhaust blower like the pellet stove uses to pull the air through the stove. I also wonder why they discontinued the stove. I would have liked to have gotten a stove that size but even if Harman still offered it I wouldn't bite on it after my previous experience with the Harman company.