1983 Energy Harvester stove specs

[Jonsered]

Well I am very glad I found this forum and this thread! I am looking for a small stove to heat a small 2 story cabin in Connecticut. I have been searching craigslist and found a few leads on jotul 602 and F3 but so far nothing has panned out. I recently called on an Energy Harvester which was an unknown brand to me at the time. I started searching for details on the brand and it appears they were not around for very long which surprises me considering all the detail they clearly put into these units. I think this stove would be very good for my cabin and after seeing all these refurbished pics I really want to go pick up the one I found for sale.

Can you guys post pics of the air controls and the baffles and anything else which I can check out on the stove to make sure it is in good working order?

I will be looking for the screen since it seems only a handful of the stoves have the screens left.

What have you guys with this stove found to get out of it for burn hours?

looks like some have back exhaust and some have top exhaust is that right? Any benefit to one or the other?

Thanks and hopefully I will be posting pics of my new stove later this week!

Nate

 

[Ratman]

Well I am very glad I found this forum and this thread! I am looking for a small stove to heat a small 2 story cabin in Connecticut. I have been searching craigslist and found a few leads on jotul 602 and F3 but so far nothing has panned out. I recently called on an Energy Harvester which was an unknown brand to me at the time. I started searching for details on the brand and it appears they were not around for very long which surprises me considering all the detail they clearly put into these units. I think this stove would be very good for my cabin and after seeing all these refurbished pics I really want to go pick up the one I found for sale.

Can you guys post pics of the air controls and the baffles and anything else which I can check out on the stove to make sure it is in good working order?

I will be looking for the screen since it seems only a handful of the stoves have the screens left.

What have you guys with this stove found to get out of it for burn hours?

looks like some have back exhaust and some have top exhaust is that right? Any benefit to one or the other?

Thanks and hopefully I will be posting pics of my new stove later this week!

Nate

Hi Nate,

I don't have any pics baffle but the thread has plenty of pics and links pertaining to the 2 air controls and their design.
Good luck finding the screen.
Burn hours depend on several variables, air control settings, existing coal bed, type of wood, how long to measure it in reference to temp.
Top exhaust typically offers superior draft but less top cooking area.

 

[Jonsered]

I am really beginning to like the energy harvester the more I look at pics of them. I feel like they really maximized the heat output to size considering when these little units were made. Hearing about some of the members in this thread who have been burning in one of these for 20+ years is also a big plus!

Thanks for your help

Nate

 

[ephriam]

Nate,

I burn the stove fairly hot all the time. There are enough glowing embers left after 5-6 hours to restart a fire quickly.
I burn the stove in the basement so never used the screen and threw it out. Wish I hadn't done that. Could have made one of you guys happy.

Fred

 

[Jonsered]

I am an Energy Harvester owner!

I found one that the seller had taken apart and re sealed the entire stove. It did not have the screen and it is rear exhaust. The baffle inside is in great shape and the exterior of the stove is pretty nice! What do you guys recommend for stove polish?

Sorry to jack your thread Ratman I will start a new one for my stove project and thanks to your thread I got my stove and am pretty pumped!

$190.00

 

[mrlisk]

Well, add me to the club. I just acquired my uncle's energy harvester that has been sitting in my grandparent's basement for longer than I've been alive (born in '86) Going to be hooking it up fairly soon for use in my workshop. Glad I came across this thread, lots of great information and pictures! Fired mine up outside today to bring it back to life for the first time in several decades.

 

[raybonz]

Congrats mrlisk that stove looks to be in decent shape plus nice scenery on it!

Ray

 

[wkpoor]

That is one cool old stove! Its got real character.

 

[precaud]

Really nice looking box stove, Ratman. Can you post a pic of the inside showing the curved baffle? That would be great to see.

As BG said, the shape sacrifices a bit of transfer efficiency due to the smaller top plate surface. Looks like they attempted to make up for that somewhat by the thick piece on top of it. I bet it runs hot!

These box stoves are really irresistible! You can't help but love them.

 

[precaud]

It's interesting that, in the patent, no purpose is stated for having primary and secondary air, and the only claim made for the purpose of the air baffle is to prevent sparks coming into the room! In fact, the only aspect of the stove that the patent was granted for was the design of the "air flow regulating apparatus" in the door. Unfortunately this patent didn't have a prayer of a chance of being economically worthwhile; already by 1980 stoves with airwashed glass doors had appeared...

 

[Ratman]

mrlisk, welcome to the club.
I own an Elm Stove now (sweet), but still own the Energy Harvester.

precaud - the front screen on the Energy Harvester is better than the glass doors, even on my Elm.

 

[precaud]

precaud - the front screen on the Energy Harvester is better than the glass doors, even on my Elm.

Why? How? I think you need to back up a statement like that with some facts, especially because there's no evidence that the market agrees with it.

 

[Ratman]

precaud - the front screen on the Energy Harvester is better than the glass doors, even on my Elm.

Why? How? I think you need to back up a statement like that with some facts, especially because there's no evidence that the market agrees with it.

The screen lets the heat pour out when the fire is in a coal only state; and I mean pour out.

but this better explains peoples "new is better statements":

Manufacturing is not run by consumers. It's run by lobbyists and government.
Automobiles for example. Ask a real automobile aficionado or expert collector. You think they as consumers wanted the new type autos?
Goes for wood stoves too. Other outside factors determine the product for sale in the market. Me, I know what I like and I like what I want. If I need assistance with a decision I consult the elderly since typically that got it right the 1st time before the money grabbers found out about it.

 

[precaud]

No offense, but that is complete hogwash, full of unsubstantiated belief and magical thinking. If you can't explain why this front door design is so superior, then just say so.

 

[begreen]

I think this may refer to radiant heat. That is, when you have the screen in, it's hard to stand in front of the Harvester because of the heat radiated through the screen? If so, the only fair comparison would be to open the door on the Elm or other stove and compare then. A direct fire is naturally going to radiate much more heat than through the door or door glass. But with the screen in place, the stove is also sucking in more room air and sending it up the flue.

PS: I am an old-timer and I love many new cars. They are way safer, lower maintenance, more economical and often better handling than the cars of my past. I still like the old cars a lot. But I appreciate how far we've come too.

 

[Ratman]

I think this may refer to radiant heat. That is, when you have the screen in, it's hard to stand in front of the Harvester because of the heat radiated through the screen? If so, the only fair comparison would be to open the door on the Elm or other stove and compare then. A direct fire is naturally going to radiate much more heat than through the door or door glass. But with the screen in place, the stove is also sucking in more room air and sending it up the flue.

PS: I am an old-timer and I love many new cars. They are way safer, lower maintenance, more economical and often better handling than the cars of my past. I still like the old cars a lot. But I appreciate how far we've come too.

Well put.

 

[Ratman]

No offense, but that is complete hogwash, full of unsubstantiated belief and magical thinking. If you can't explain why this front door design is so superior, then just say so.

Please consider when interacting with other humans not to say; "No offense" and then follow and offend with statements like "hogwash".

My previous answer, consisting of unsubstantiated belief and magical thinking, to your first question was; "The screen lets the heat pour out when the fire is in a coal only state".

As in the new stove I have and love does not have an optional screen to use when the fire is in a coal only state.

 

[precaud]

Rat, the discussion was about the design of the door. When you said "screen", I thought that's what you were referring to. Comparing an integrated door and air system design to a screen is pretty silly and I don't know how it entered into the discussion.

BG's comment is correct, it is actually less efficient to open the door after the flames die, due to all of the room air being sucked out the chimney. An open fireplace does the same thing.

 

[Rendog]

I was the sales manager for Energy Harvesters for much of their glory years. Good to see most users are still loving the stove. A few things of interest: The stove was made at the Orange Foundry in Orange MA. Fitzwilliam is where owner Richard Peterson lived. He owned the foundry and the stove company. We had a little store in Fitzwilliam. Customers loved saving the sales tax. We also sold the stove to dealers across the country. In the early years we had national recognition. I believe that other then Vermont Casings we were the only US produced cast iron stove. VC had a better vision and financing. EH was sold and pretty much ruined. We were one of the first stoves to offer the Corning catylitic converter. I toured the country with them showing it off. It was a great option in the early EPA years. As far as I recall there were less then 100 produced but it was a great improvement and easy to operate. I would be glad to attempt to answer any questions form current owners. Keep in mind that it was going on 30 years ago so my information is limited

Rendog

 

[ggtakacs]

Hello,

Wonderful information on a very good stove. I bought my Energy Harvester at a local yard sale for $ 50 in 1997. I have heated my 2100 SF raised ranch since then and have not turned on my heat since 1997 (forced hot air electric system from 1969). I burn about 5 cords a year that I buy in log length for $ 250 and cut/split myself; I mainly get Red and White Oak and some Hickory.

Mr. Rendog....I really appreciate the history of the firm.

Strangely enough my stove's information is on the underside of the stone hearth that sits in front of the door. Mine is Model Mt. Chocorua, Serial No. 79 C 3304. There is also a tag from the Energy Testing Labs of Main from the Southern Main Vocational Technical Institute of South Portland, ME with a stamp of 78-35 on it.

I do have to say that this stove rocks When the firebox is filled with Red Oak on a 1" bed of coals, I can get 36 to 40 hours out of a burn when it is fully shut down, or 8 to 10 hours with it open at full blast. I've never seen the screen before - but I have utilized the stove with the door open to quickly heat the house - this works best with a nice hot 5 or 6 inch bed of coals and the damper turned 1/4. I use the lower control normally, and only use the upper control when it requires a little more air.

Thanks again to ALL for the information, etc. Have a good one!

 

[BrotherBart]

I can get 36 to 40 hours out of a burn when it is fully shut down,

And just how often do you have to clean the crud out of that pipe?

 

[ggtakacs]

And just how often do you have to clean the crud out of that pipe?

I have a 6" stovepipe that is within a triple wall metalbestos flue. I do a controlled burn every week. New stovepipe (Bottom 3 lengths - 6 feet) every 3 years.

 

[BrotherBart]

So "controlled burn" means you set off a chimney fire?

 

[mass_burner]

I just polished the stove today...
My mouth is watering just looking at my stove, but I can't light it cause it's 80 out.

BrotherBart, go light your stove, and remember light it using the top down method or Vanassa will come and kick your ass.

Wow. I love that scene on the side, those trees are great.

 

[rwhite]

I know it's an old post but I couldn't resist. A 36 to 40 hour burn? With heating capability? I have to call BS.