Jotul C350, PE Vista Insert, or Enviro Boston 1200

[RSNovi]

I found a few inserts that I am considering and they should fit into my ZC Superior BR-42 fireplace. I would be heating an area of about 1000 sq ft.

I would like your thoughts. Here is my opinion with a rating of one being the best in my opinion.

Appearance
1. Jotul 350
2. Enviro 1200 Boston
3. PE Vista

Firebox size
1, Enviro 1.8
2. Vista 1.4
3. Jotul c350 1.3

Dealer
1. Jotul - same dealer that installed my Oslo and is good
2. No experience with a Vista or PE dealer

Stove reputation
1. Jotul and PE
2. Enviro - don't hear much about them

I haven't completely ruled out a
Lopi Answer but I really don't like the looks of the stove for my house.

Chris

 

[Seastrike]

Hello Chris - My original insert was the C350. I later moved up to the C550 as I'm heating a larger area.
I have no experience with your other options, but I have learned "bigger is better".

That said, The C350 looks great and throws a ton of heat for it's size.
The firebox is small, but if your cutting your splits smaller, you can load full and get 2.5-3 hrs useable heat from each load.

C350 is a great insert that will heat 1k sqft on the coldest days; Be mindful that you'll be loading more often due to the box size.

 

[RSNovi]

Thanks for the input Seastrike. I am leaning toward the Jotul, but am only hesitant due to the firebox size. Not so much for the additional heat, but for ease of use.

 

[raybonz]

Thanks for the input Seastrike. I am leaning toward the Jotul, but am only hesitant due to the firebox size. Not so much for the additional heat, but for ease of use.

The Enviro 1200 Boston is a good looking insert, takes 18" firewood and probably will give and overnight burn. There are owners of this unit in this forum and haven't heard anything bad about them.. Jotul is also very nice but firebox is smallish and probably will not give an overnight burn. PE makes a T-5 insert that looks very nice and should also give an overnight burn..
Good Luck!

Ray

 

[RSNovi]

I like the looks of the T5 as well. I think the minimum measurements on that one exceeded fireplace but I will double check. Thanks for the advice.

 

[whiskeypete]

I really like that latching mechanism that the Boston has, pretty slick, good looking unit too. This is just my opinion but I think that trying to heat with a small firebox is a headache. I started with a dutchwest insert 1.3 cu. ft. and I had to load that thing every 4 hours if I really wanted to keep the house warm. I'd go with the bigger firebox but it really depends on what you want to accomplish. Heating the house full time? Just supplementing?

 

[RSNovi]

I am just planning to sumplement so I don't mind adding wood. I was just worried that I would need particular size logs or difficulty loading the stove.

I am having a hard time finding a dealer for the Enviro. The one I did find relatively close by doesn't stock any stoves. They just order and install.

 

[NSDave]

I have the Kodiak 1200 ;, it will take a 16" split n/s if you rest it on the ledge. If you want to load n/s and not have the split on the ledge its gotta be 15 " ish. e/w you can squeeze an 18" if its cut square. Its got a 1.85 cu ft firebox, Its a new stove and I'm still learning it, but its simple to run and it looks nice; not as nice as the Boston

 

[RSNovi]

Thank you. I would like to seriously consider the Enviro, but I just can't find a local dealer and I am not able to find contact info for Enviro.

 

[NSDave]

http://www.enviro.com/dealer-locator.php

I'm sure you've looked here? No idea whats local

 

[RSNovi]

http://www.enviro.com/dealer-locator.php

I'm sure you've looked here? No idea whats local

Yes I found one that was 1 hour away, but they won't call me back and don't have a showroom. All the others are around 2 hours away or more. Thanks for the suggestion.

Chris