So, we're finally stoveless no more
! This is our new PE Super 27 on the not-quite-finished hearth pad I built. It's had three burn-in fires and I'm very pleased with this stove so far. The first fire was a bit cold due to the new firebricks I suppose, but thereafter, the fires are hot, clean and well controlled. The paint smell wasn't too bad and is gone now. We put fans on two windows for the paint cure.
I built the pad much wider than required because I was pretty sure the stove would have to be offset some for ceiling joists and I'll be building a wood bin of some kind for the left side (the dog doesn't stay there too long...) and it should look pretty good. The wall separates the kitchen and is open on both sides with archways. This space was otherwise not used well and is perfectly central to the main living/dining area.
What surprised me was how controllable the fires are with the damper control. Once going, the fire intensity can be controlled reliably. Turned fully down, the fire doesn't really seem to be smouldering, but just burning slowly, if that makes any sense. I've gotten some nice secondary burns right from the start on about medium setting.
I've taken great pains to make sure I have good fuel around 20% MC for this season, and I'm convinced that this is the single most important factor to a clean and controllable burn. Greener wood would not be nearly as good an experience.
I thought about a raised hearth, but decided to make it as flush to the carpet as possible, so I just cut the carpet out and fastened Hardie Backer down and tiled over that with porcelain tile. With tack strip on the edges, it's very flush, and I will trim around it.
I'm very glad I decided on a deep, 2 cf stove that allows N-S loading. That's going to be a really nice feature.
Thanks for all the great advice from so many forum members. It was invaluable to my decisions. I'm sure I'll have questions as time goes on.
! This is our new PE Super 27 on the not-quite-finished hearth pad I built. It's had three burn-in fires and I'm very pleased with this stove so far. The first fire was a bit cold due to the new firebricks I suppose, but thereafter, the fires are hot, clean and well controlled. The paint smell wasn't too bad and is gone now. We put fans on two windows for the paint cure.I built the pad much wider than required because I was pretty sure the stove would have to be offset some for ceiling joists and I'll be building a wood bin of some kind for the left side (the dog doesn't stay there too long...) and it should look pretty good. The wall separates the kitchen and is open on both sides with archways. This space was otherwise not used well and is perfectly central to the main living/dining area.
What surprised me was how controllable the fires are with the damper control. Once going, the fire intensity can be controlled reliably. Turned fully down, the fire doesn't really seem to be smouldering, but just burning slowly, if that makes any sense. I've gotten some nice secondary burns right from the start on about medium setting.
I've taken great pains to make sure I have good fuel around 20% MC for this season, and I'm convinced that this is the single most important factor to a clean and controllable burn. Greener wood would not be nearly as good an experience.
I thought about a raised hearth, but decided to make it as flush to the carpet as possible, so I just cut the carpet out and fastened Hardie Backer down and tiled over that with porcelain tile. With tack strip on the edges, it's very flush, and I will trim around it.
I'm very glad I decided on a deep, 2 cf stove that allows N-S loading. That's going to be a really nice feature.
Thanks for all the great advice from so many forum members. It was invaluable to my decisions. I'm sure I'll have questions as time goes on.
but I thought it was too nice.
