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B

Bucksport

New Member
Jan 15, 2012
5
Maine
Hello everyone. I have been burning with a Lopi Revere insert for the last 5 years. I picked the stove up used for 450 with the ss liner and blower. It was 8 years old when I got it. I did a quick paint job on it while it was on the trailer before I brought it inside to install it. It looks like a new stove. This thing heats my 1000 sf ranch pretty good. I have had to install the new re-burn tubes last season as well as a door gasket. Overall very satisfied with it, but wondering if I need an upgrade? I am burning 1 yr seasoned oak. That I am sure is causing it not to be as effecient as it should be. I load it around 9 pm and at 5 am there is a really nice bed of coals. This seems great to me. Any thoughts, info, input would be appreciated. I can take some critisizm as well, so dont hold back.
thanks
 
Welcome,
If you are "very satisfied" with it after burning 1 yr seasoned oak I wouldn't make any changes until you experience how it does with even better fuel. Get a moisture meter, check your wood. If it is over 20% I wouldn't even consider making a change. See what your stove can due with properly seasoned wood.
If you check it and it is 20% or below, then you have to weigh the cost of upgrading with how much you desire better performance, more heat, longer burn times, etc.
An upgrade can also be done in other areas such as your flue, chimney setup. Please describe your setup and others can offer suggestions.
 
Man, for $450 sounds like you did great. Blue Puke had good advice. One thing I would add is it doesn't hurt to check Craigs list for killer deals like the one you found with your Lopi. A larger firebox will be a little less work, but if you're happy with what you got let it rock and work on your wood supply.
 
I have a regular brick fireplace with a smoke shelf. 8x12 size flue. 5 feet of 6 " stainless liner from the stove up. I have it closed in with sheetmetal just above the connection to the stove to seal the opening. For doing the install by myself I was pretty impressed with how it tight it is. It also included the trim around the stove. Looks perfect.
I found it on Craigslist, and thought it was a steal. Especially after I priced it at a local stove shop.
I made a swap deal this year with a vehicle for my wood. Traded a 97 running 4x4 suburban for 9 cord of tree length plus some cash to me. Very pleased with the deal. Lots of work involved, but worth it. Ended up selling 3 cord out by the road for some quick cash. Plenty of wood left for me. I don't think I have burned over 2 cord this year. The last few years I have found a good deal on wood, but it has all been fresh cut oak. I do look forward to burning some proper seasoned wood.
thanks for the input
 
welcome, nice stove. and i like the vid's
 
+1. Nice deal on a nice stove. Hope the heat didn't melt the droid.
 
Your burn sounds about right to me and I have a Lopi stove with the same size firebox. I can stretch it out to 12 hours but the coal bed will not be so robust as long as I am using red or white oak. I bought my stove new and have A LOT more into it than you do. I think you got a great deal. There was just a thread the other day asking about burn tubes wearing out.
 
That does not sound bad at all. 8 hours and a good coal bed with 1 year old oak. Some of the cat stoves sound like they are getting longer burns but that's not to bad. You getting much sizzle out of that oak ? I don't burn a lot of oak but as most will tell you at least 2 years in the stack is when it gets really good.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. My original burn tubes were completely rusted out and falling down. The replacements cost around 100 bucks, but are ss and will last forever.
I am not getting any sizzle out of my wood at all. I think it is because of the very hot dry summer I had in my area this year. I look forward to burning next year with some properly aged wood.
 
Welcome to the forum. If the Lopi's keeping you warm, why replace? Great looking stove, fairly efficient burner - and it sounds as if your wood isn't in too bad shape either.
 
Nice videos, thanks. Great deal on the stove too! I would hang on to it if it heats you up well. I had a medium sized cat stove and also heated a 1000 sq ft ranch. 8hours of good heat between reloads is all I got from it in the coldest nights of January,

To improve your set up, maybe a full liner up the chimney and some fully seasoned wood? Otherwise it sounds pretty good.
 
I think it is just the 4 degree nights and only getting it up to 72 inside that has be doubting. Once we are back in the 20's again it will be all good :)
 
Welcome
Nice videos
Sounds like your stove & wood is doing pretty good with overnight burns.
4° with the house at 72° is good.
The oak may burn better if a year more seasoned but it seems it's dry enough to heat your house now.
Everybody wants to upgrade but I don't think you "need" to, the insert has worked for 5 years. :)
 
Another vote to keep what's working for you . . . and a welcome to hearth.com from up river . . . well actually I'm home and not at work right now . . . I think Hoss lives pretty close to you as well and DTaylor lives up just a bit further in Veazie.
 
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