More questions about choosing a stove...

The F100 and F602 are very close to the same size. I've lived with both and highly prefer the 602. Maybe take a closer look at it?

Vermont Castings Aspen is all I could come up with. Lots of others that might work, but no cooking plate. Lopi Patriot, Morso 1410, VC Intrepid II.

The Jotul 118 also has a cookplate I believe, although I gather that like the F100 it does not perform quite as well as the 602.

I like the look of the Napoleon 1150, which is billed as has cookplates; no word on performance though.

I have a question about cookplates - how does the ones on the Jotul stoves work? Is it just a piece of nice looking steel that isn't insulated so it transfers heat, or is there more to it than that?

KP Matt said:

The Jotul 118 also has a cookplate I believe, although I gather that like the F100 it does not perform quite as well as the 602.

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Agreed there. I know two people who bought 118's and got rid of it within weeks. The VC Aspen has a questionable reputation too, you can read the reviews elsewhere on this site.

I have a question about cookplates - how does the ones on the Jotul stoves work? Is it just a piece of nice looking steel that isn't insulated so it transfers heat, or is there more to it than that?

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The top is machined flat and there are deep ridges cast into the underside, the increased suface area collects more heat. The plate on my F602 is typically 150F or so hotter than the top surface right next to it.