We love our Harmon stoker stove (Penn: appointed, for sale, house)

[memoriesbre]

If anybody has been thinking of buying a Harmon stoker stove that burns coal, do it! Last year we had an old fashioned coal stove that we had to fill almost every few hours... what a pain in the _ SS that was. I use to fight with the thing constantly. You literally had to be home to maintain the stupid thing or it would go out. You then would have to shake down the ashes, what a mess that was. In the spring I posted the stupid thing online for sale and sold it.
We bought the Harmon stoker stove. It burns rice coal. It has a hopper on the back that we fill everyday or so. The ashes drop to the bottom pan and we empty that every 2 days right now. It will be less as the temps go up.. It's great and I recommend it to anybody that is looking to switch to coal for an alternate heat source!

[thecoalman]

memoriesbre, glad to here you are happy with your purchase. To tell you the truth I rarely hear anyone say they are disappointed. I'd like to say never but there might have been one or two out of the tens of thousands I've spoken with. Harman makes a a very good product, you can expect at least two decades of use out of it if not more.

As far as your switch from a hand fired unit they do need attention every 12 hours on average but if turn them down you can get at least 24 hours out of them but that really negates the point of having it in hte first place which is to produce heat. They do have one distinct advantage over a stoker, they still work when the electricity goes out and that is somnething to consider especially if you are in a an area tyhat might experience extended power outages.

One very nice thing to keep in mind is nearly every dollar you have spent on the purchase of your stove and fuel to suplly it has stayed right here in Pennsylvania.

[memoriesbre]

We do have a generator in case the power goes out. We have it wired with a second breaker box. I don't know how to start the generator though.

[thecoalman]

If you have a generator power failures become a non issue, some of my members have also set up battery backups purchased as retail products or homemade for short term power loss.

Learn how to turn that generator on, never know when you might need that knowledge.

[DavidWebb]

Since it was mentioned, can someone recommend a generator size for a 1000 sq. ft. ranch. I have a pellet stove from Harmon, an electric stove, and refrigerator I would like to keep powered during power outages. My other half is diabetic and always complaining she's cold so I need a backup plan for her. I would like to have it wired to the house if possible but everyone I've talked to tells me it's an expensive project. Any assistance/recommendations will be greatly appreciated!!

[DE_NePA]

The electric stove puts you up into the very expensive range, a whole house generator hard-wired to your circuit breaker panel. But a small 3 kilowatt unit like found in an RV would carry the pellet stove, the refrigerator, and a microwave oven. That small portable unit could be taken out of the shed or garage when needed, and one or two heavy duty extension cords run from it to the kitchen and living room.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by DE_NePA

The electric stove puts you up into the very expensive range, a whole house generator hard-wired to your circuit breaker panel. .

I really know nothing of generators but if it's going to drive the costs up significantly cook on the pellet heater. You might need to take some decorative coverings off, I know just about any coal stove could double as a cook stove. you're not going to boil water on it but in a pinch it will work. You could always get a small Coleman propane stove.

[John From Scranton]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

I really know nothing of generators but if it's going to drive the costs up significantly cook on the pellet heater. You might need to take some decorative coverings off, I know just about any coal stove could double as a cook stove. you're not going to boil water on it but in a pinch it will work. You could always get a small Coleman propane stove.

I must say there Mr. Coalman, thank you for all you do for the people here on C-D!! I don't post any many of your topic,s but I always make it a point to read them!! Lot's of good info and advice... I even learn alot from your posts... Keep up the good work!!