Which Was/Is the Best Underfed Stoker?

HeatTech · Post by **HeatTech** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 4:24 pm

Without making this question overly complicated or controversial, here's a list of four that would work for me.

1). EFM S-15 stoker from the 350 that is no longer in production.

2). The Van Wert VA-400 which is also out of production.

3). The Harman VertiFlow used in the VF3000 etc.

4). The Alaska 140 underfed stoker pot.

Which stoker would "best" burn wood pellets and other biomass along with bituminous and anthracite?

Durability is also a key component of a good design, which design was the most robust and reliable?

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 4:38 pm

Alaska 140

HeatTech · Post by **HeatTech** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 5:48 pm

Based on what I've seen and read, the Alaska's pot isn't as durable as some others. That's by design, it was never intended to be burnt hard like an EFM. However, it looks like the best candidate for my customer.

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 5:56 pm

AFAIK the Alaska and EFM both have comparatively small ID auger tubes that would make it hard to burn bituminous.

Mike

carlherrnstein · Post by **carlherrnstein** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 6:47 pm

Dont forget about the Will-Burt model 30 but, be ready to pay out the nose. A while back there was a new unused unit for less then $2,000 in the for sale section.

http://www.willburt.com/manufacturing-services/co ... r-stokers/

Pacowy · Post by **Pacowy** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 7:07 pm

HeatTech,

Please check your private messages (envelope icon at top of page).

Thanks.

Mike

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 7:26 pm

Once again, there is/are NO wonderful multifunction stoker that eat rocks and crap out diamonds. If you are a Heat Tech, you should already know that. Don't offer or support something that is NOT a part of the real world. It seems that you are looking for 'Pure Gold' and that is not anywhere to be found. You keep asking, and the BIG Boys are laughing their butts off.

Scottscoaled · Post by **Scottscoaled** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 7:41 pm

Dunno where you get your information but the EFM stoker and the Van Wert stokers are still in production.

HeatTech · Post by **HeatTech** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 8:30 pm

Scottscoaled,

Arnie doesn't have or make the 400 series stoker. The 600 he does, but not the smaller 400. Again, this is according to Arnie. Should I ask him again?

The stoker for the EFM 350 was only made for a few years, then it was changed to the S-20 like the 520. Most 350's floating around have the S-20 stoker and not the original 90k BTU S-15 oem unit.

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 8:42 pm

I'm a little biased.

.JPG | 129KB | DSCN0504.JPG

HeatTech · Post by **HeatTech** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 9:26 pm

It looks like the stoker pot made by Alaska would be ideal for my customer. I need to talk with Mr G at Alaska next week and see if we can make a deal. I was looking forward to building these here in the shop but sometimes economics make the decisions for you.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 9:43 pm

I am thinking that you are looking for a very small output if you want the ability to burn pellets as a primary fuel. You must be aware of the output differences with the Alaska on coal or pellets????!!!

The EFM S-20 stoker is quite simply the best size for the majority of applications. If you live in PA you already know about that. Alaska at this time has no provisions for fines removal , so do a little more research if you think that would equate to an S-20 stoker. Close, but no cigar! If you told us just how many BTU's you were trying to maintain it would sure be simpler to help you out.

Do you burn coal or pellets yourself? In the archives are the results of Chris from EFM, burning pellets in an EFM DF520 a couple years back. Find that thread and read up, because it sure gives definitive answers to output, and compatibility. I believe the DF 520 was certified to be a "Green Boiler", albeit with a severe reduction in output, AND a huge appetite for pellets.

I do understand WHAT YOU WANT TO PROVIDE, AND AM POLITELY SUGGESTING, YOU ARE ON THE WRONG PATH. nuff said. Goodevening to you

CoalHeat · Post by **CoalHeat** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 9:57 pm

Which stoker would "best" burn wood pellets and other biomass along with bituminous and anthracite?

Durability is also a key component of a good design, which design was the most robust and reliable?

Last edited by HeatTech on Fri Jan 17, 2014 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.

In light of your edit I must bow out of the conversation as I can only comment on burning Anthracite.

Post by **Rob R.** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 10:03 pm

HeatTech wrote:
The stoker for the EFM 350 was only made for a few years, then it was changed to the S-20 like the 520. Most 350's floating around have the S-20 stoker and not the original 90k BTU S-15 oem unit.

The only difference is the diameter of the burner ring and the length of the arm on the gearbox crank. I have a 1990's S20 blower/ratchet assembly running with a S15 pot right now. You can find a single S15 ring easy enough, and probably have it recast if you really wanted a pile of them.

Post by **Richard S.** » Fri. Jan. 17, 2014 10:14 pm

HeatTech wrote: Which stoker would "best" burn wood pellets and other biomass along with bituminous and anthracite?

I don;t think any of them are going to burn bit coal reliably, firstly you need consistently sized rice or buck and secondly there is the clinkering issue with bit coal. EFM has a thread on bituminous coal boiler they tested using a prill pot, I don't know if it ever went into production or how well it will burn anthracite.

The soft coal they are burning here is from Wyoming:

Durability is also a key component of a good design, which design was the most robust and reliable?

I let you know when it dies.

The Van Wert in my house is about 30 years old and the one in my Grandmothers is about 40. You're going to get the same thing out of EFM, AA etc. The key is to burn them 24/7/365.