How do I Install a Hitzer Coal Stove?

Coal stoves can serve a dual purpose, heating a home and standing in for a more traditional decorative fireplace. Hitzer is an Indiana headquartered company that specializes in the manufacture of coal stoves, furnaces, fireplace inserts, firebox accessories and pumps. They make seven models of coal-only stoves with varying thermal outputs depending on the square footage you wish to heat. Hitzer coal stoves can be purchased in various decorative enamel colors, door designs and sizes and can be installed either by a professional or an experienced DIYer. Product manuals with detailed model renderings and installation instructions accompany the units and can also be accessed online via the Hitzer corporate Web site noted under Resources.

Hitzer coal stove
Class A Chimney
Fire-rated protective building materials for walls and floor
Measuring tape
Screwdrivers

Instructions

- 1
  Select a spot for the stove in the house where it is somewhat centrally located, so the warm air will distribute well. Do not place the unit too near a staircase as all the heat may rise up before the ground floor is heated. Also, keep the unit away from major thoroughfares to prevent bumping into the unit.
- 2
  Remove all packing materials and manuals from inside the stove leaving just the metal grate in position.
- 3
  Provide a Class A masonry chimney connection that is lined in clay with an opening of appropriate size for your Hitzer model. Commonly this is 6 by 6 inches or 8 by 8 inches, but consult your owners' manual to confirm the proper chimney width for your stove model. Class A metal chimneys are also acceptable. Ensure the chimney is clean and free of obstructions and corrosion. Provide a bare minimum of 15 to 20 feet in total vertical chimney run from the unit to the top of the chimney stack on the roof. Also allow at least 3 feet of chimney clearance above the roof line.
- 4
  Position the stove unit at the appropriate distance from fireproof back and side walls, typically at least 20 to 28 inches from the back wall and 18 to 30 inches form each side wall. Consult your owners' manual for exact clearances for your model number.
- 5
  Provide a fireproof insulated floor pad for the stove that has the equivalent fire safe properties of 3/8-inch fiberglass millboard or K-O-84. Make the pad larger than the stove footprint extending at least 8 inches wider than the ash door on each side and at least 16 inches in front of the ash door. Confirm exact clearances for your model number in your owners' manual.
- 6
  Slide the metal flue pipe joints together, with the crimped ends of the joints facing towards the stove, securing each joint with three of the provided screws so they are locked together. Start at the top of the flue sliding the first joint 2 inches up inside the chimney liner. Work your way down until you connect the last joint to the stove top coupler.

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