See the EPA efficiency, below - nearly identical for the King and the PH. Point being that there's almost no discernable difference in efficiency. Assuming that this efficiency is similar (for both stoves) over the useful output range of the PH, the stoves will use almost the same amount of wood to produce those BTUs. Obviously, the larger firebox of the King will allow proportionately longer burns at those BTU output levels, but burn about the same amount of wood per hour at the same BTU output level. The King can be throttled down below the rate at which the PH can burn (lower consumption rate per hour) and that's a valuable attribute for many burners. The PH's looks, soapstone radiation, customer service and quality ash drawer system are valuable attributes for many burners. To each his own.
I'm guessing that the Ashford efficiency is actually less than the King's and therefore is probably LESS efficient than the PH, but if that's not true, show us. In any case, for practical purposes, the efficiency of the three stoves below is comparable in my view. They're both great stoves. And yes, I burned a King for a while... and will replace my Jotul 12 with an Ashford when it's time.
Blaze King's King 1107
Blaze King's King 1107 catalytic stove recently became the most efficient wood stove on the EPA list with an astonishing 82% reported efficiency, nudging out the Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid by 1%. As more non-cat stoves appear on the EPA list, we will also feature the most efficient non-cat.
More information.
September 2012
Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid
The Woodstock Soapstone Progress Hybrid is the highest efficiency wood stove listed by the EPA at 81%. The Progress is a true hybrid because it combines a catalytic combustor with a secondary combustion system. Combining these two different systems in one wood stove captures a clean and efficient burn throughout the entire burn range.
A similar hybrid stove, the Cape Cod made by Travis Industries, is listed by the EPA at 80.3%. We featured this stove in our March 2011 newsletter. If you want a very high efficiency stove that saves lots of fuel and have long burn times, these stoves are excellent choices. As cleaner and/or more efficient appear on the EPA stove list, we will feature them here and on our website.
More information.