Hitzer 503 Insert - Installing & Burning

[Ellis]

I am ordering my new Hitzer 503 today to replace my Firepower furnace (cracked heat exchanger after 26 years of faithful coal service). This forum helped me make up my mind - I like the looks & features of the 503 better than the equivalent Harman (which at my shopping choices is $1,000 more). Question #1 has to do with flue installation - running SS flex a few feet past the damper (sealing the rest of the damper opening) and then letting the existing 8" x 13" terra cotta do its thing vs. running flex the entire length (19' up from damper). I prefer the first for cost reasons - will only burn good, hard coal (no wood), so ash around the sealed damper should not be a problem - Hitzer advised this meets code and is OK in the situation I describe. Any contrary thoughts, other than a full liner is easier to clean? Question #2 - for those who burn a 503 - I would appreciate any advice on use of and the relationship between the bottom and top combustion air dampers. Please feel free to contact me off-list, if you prefer ([email protected]). Thanks.

 

[laynes69]

Is your chimney interior or exterior? I know alot of coal stoves run with low flue temps. With the existing liner being 8x13 with low temps draft will suffer. I would run a liner up the whole chimney and do it right. I think with coal you will want a 316ti liner which will help resist acids from the coal exhaust. Having a liner will help with the proper draft to operate the stove correctly and keep carbon monoxide out of the home.

 

[Ellis]

I took laynes69's advice and ran a full length liner and am glad I did - the draft is great! Great forum.

 

[tcassavaugh]

I took laynes69's advice and ran a full length liner and am glad I did - the draft is great! Great forum.

These guys are great and full of collective wisdom, or at least thats what i think it is. Great guys always willing to lend a helpful hand.

cass