I am contemplating switching to a stoker coal stove. I just started looking into it and coal has come a long way. Plus I feel you can't beat the heat that comes from a coal burner. Is anyone going to talk me off of the ledge?
Thinking about switching over, thoughts?
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Nope, not at all...I tried to buy coal stove, but the wife was against it. I am Near Binghamton, so a run down 81 to get coal would have been easy!
What stove are you thinking? We will be renovating our basement in a few years and everyone tells me to go coal to heat it...since we are in the heartland. 
I'm looking at Leisure line and Reading stoker stoves. Both take rice coal or bigger.
Some of the Leisure line stoves have a hood option that pumps air into your existing forced air ducts. Another option is a water heating coil and a power vent.
I think it's pretty cool!
Some of the Leisure line stoves have a hood option that pumps air into your existing forced air ducts. Another option is a water heating coil and a power vent.
I think it's pretty cool!
From what I have read so far, yes. It utilizes similar parts that a pellet stove does. It feeds itself based on user demand. I also read that the coal comes in bags like pellets do. A nice thing is coal can get wet and it's still good to go.
It seems pretty attractive. Im just kicking around the idea and looking for some member feedback.
It seems pretty attractive. Im just kicking around the idea and looking for some member feedback.
a lot of positives to burning coal....
more btu's per pound, easier to store the fuel regarding getting wet, but it still needs to dry out some before putting it in to the hopper or it can foul the feeder or not burn so well. if you are within a reasonable distance to NE PA the cost per ton is comparable to pellets but you get more btu's with coal. rice coal in the bags is generally at least damp and sometimes wet already so dust is not an issue.
one negative I can think of is you will get a lot more ash from coal than pellets, however with all this snow and ice i have been using the ash on the stone driveway this winter.
more btu's per pound, easier to store the fuel regarding getting wet, but it still needs to dry out some before putting it in to the hopper or it can foul the feeder or not burn so well. if you are within a reasonable distance to NE PA the cost per ton is comparable to pellets but you get more btu's with coal. rice coal in the bags is generally at least damp and sometimes wet already so dust is not an issue.
one negative I can think of is you will get a lot more ash from coal than pellets, however with all this snow and ice i have been using the ash on the stone driveway this winter.
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I would love to go to coal, the BTU output is like double the large pellet stoves. However, from what I've read there are drawbacks such as the black dust from the coal bag (dust from the pellet bags is bad enough, but at least it's an easy wipe up so my wife puts up with it), then there is the venting which requires a standard chimney (I believe it is called a class A chimney) due to the higher temps on the venting. That could limit your placement options. Otherwise, to be able to have a stove put out close to 100k BTUs would be awesome. I had even thought about having a small one on my second floor for the bedrooms, but there is the chimney issue. Good luck!
I live in north east pa .Bags of coal are at my pellet stove dealer right down the street. I am going to buy the Pioneer le top vent from leisure line . Check it out. 5000-90.000 BTU..(broken link removed)
[quoe="Mike D, post: 1643716, member: 7883"]I would love to go to coal, the BTU output is like double the large pellet stoves. However, from what I've read there are drawbacks such as the black dust from the coal bag (dust from the pellet bags is bad enough, but at least it's an easy wipe up so my wife puts up with it), then there is the venting which requires a standard chimney (I believe it is called a class A chimney) due to the higher temps on the venting. That could limit your placement options. Otherwise, to be able to have a stove put out close to 100k BTUs would be awesome. I had even thought about having a small one on my second floor for the bedrooms, but there is the chimney issue. Good luck![/quote]
The Interesting thing about venting, the direct vent and power vents for stoker stoves is not much different than venting a pellet stove. Obviously the pipe is different but the basic concept is similar.
The Interesting thing about venting, the direct vent and power vents for stoker stoves is not much different than venting a pellet stove. Obviously the pipe is different but the basic concept is similar.
With the option of the power vent or direct vent on a stoker stove, you are able to put the stove anywhere you would put a pellet stove and, like you said, get 3 times the btu output! From my recent experience, bagged coal is a PITA compared to bulk. You can store the coal in a simple bin in the basement, in the garage, or even outside or in a shed. When I lived in Pa, I had built a bin in my garage that held 3 tons by just extending out from the side wall with plywood and some bracing. On the www.nepacrossroads.com site, I found a guy who is willing to deliver 10 tons of coal to just about anywhere in the NE for $250 a ton. You can split it with two people if you want. http://nepacrossroads.com/about32416.html
And the dust is no big deal if you just spray it down a little with some water. Always empty your ash pan BEFORE shaking down the stove so you don't have hot coals in it which will have the ash following the rising heat waves.
And the dust is no big deal if you just spray it down a little with some water. Always empty your ash pan BEFORE shaking down the stove so you don't have hot coals in it which will have the ash following the rising heat waves.
Look at Keystoker.com too. My brother in law has one and loves it. Had it for probably 10 years now. The stokers are the way to go. They practically run themselves and work off of a thermostat. If you can get coal at even close in price to pellets, you are WAY AHEAD.
alternativeheat
Minister of Fire
The key in coal to me is a good supply of rice coal to feed a stoker with, if you have that you are all set.. Up here in the NE, on Cape Cod, that is something not readily available. I've been running my hand fired nut coal burner for more than 30 years here and sometimes nut coal gets a bit short on supply ( think when large storms come in and everyone who keeps their old coal burners for back up heat deplete the short supply). Rice coal has to be delivered down from Boston with an added delivery charge, there are no local suppliers of Rice Coal. If that guy goes out, I'd be sunk for coal for my stoker if I had one..
So we want a self feeding stove as we get older, guess it will be pellets which are everywhere up here, even at the corner hardware stores. In your case, if you are in coal country anyway, it's a no brainer. Go with coal !
Phil Do's fire.
Minister of Fire
I had coal burners for years. I sold my Efel about 3 years ago and not going back. Coal in our area is very expensive. It does give out great heat if you are willing to wait for the stove to build temp. The biggest drawbacks were , how to get rid of the ash and if the stove was in the living space, coal dust would coat everything.
Your Efel was probably a top loader like my Franco Belge was. Purely radiant heat with no blower. Today's stokers are a totally different breed! The Leisureline stove that the OP is looking at is about $2600, which is actually cheaper than a lot of pellet stoves that people are buying and gives out twice the heat NOW. It has a thermostatically controlled feeder system and blower speed system. Like you said, if you can get coal, DO IT!. If it were me, I'd build a shed that could hold ten tons and buy it from the guy I referenced for $250 a ton and I'd be set for 3 years!
Oh, and in all the years I burned pea coal, my wife never once complained about coal dust and she's picky as hell! It's all in how you handle it.
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