Drolet Austral or Englander NC 30

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

Chuck the Canuck

Feeling the Heat
Hi. This is probably an impossible choice for anyone else but me to make, but here I am anyway, ready to pull the trigger on a new stove. The Englander cost a little over a $1099, and the Austral is on sale right now for $975. The Englander is bigger at 3.5 cubic foot firebox compared to a 3.1 cubic firebox for the Austral, but the Austral comes with a blower, a bypass for starting fires, and has 5/16" steel stove top compared to the Englander's 1/4" stove top. I've been wanting the Englander for a while, but the Austral is really stressing me out as a top notch contender.... Anything else I should be thinking about?
 
I have the myriad, same firebox as austral, it can throw off some heat and is a true north-south loader

I have some vids posted of bit burning somewhere here
 
I have the myriad, same firebox as austral, it can throw off some heat and is a true north-south loader

I have some vids posted of bit burning somewhere here

Nice vids Tekguy. Found some good discussions about the drolet on the search.....
 
The only caveat with the Austral I think is the welded in baffle. I have not heard of a failure but it is a consideration for some.
 
I believe all the 30 Englanders come with a blower now. FYI.


Another consideration is customer service.
Another consideration is Made in USA.
Another is emissions.


IMHO, the 30NC has nicer looking legs. But then again, you're buying a stove, not a woman.;lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Huntindog1
I believe all the 30 Englanders come with a blower now. FYI.


Another consideration is customer service.
Another consideration is Made in USA.
Another is emissions.


IMHO, the 30NC has nicer looking legs. But then again, you're buying a stove, not a woman.;lol
There is a version with the same type legs.. 4 stoves based on same firebox.. Austral, myriad, Baltic and legend

He is from Canada so the drolets are made by SBI in canada
 
IMHO, the 30NC has nicer looking legs.

With those fine lookin legs and a classy chassis to boot, I have to say that the Englander has it going on in the looks department.... and it's got more room to stuff wood into as well....
 
yeah i was torn the same way. I liked the look of the Englander better but worried maybe it was to big, the Austral is a wee bit smaller. The deciding factor for me was price, i got the Austral for $682 which was about $150 cheaper than the Englander. I havent hooked it up yet to use so i can't give an opinion on how it runs but i think i will like the bypass. From what i've read i dont think you can go wrong with either stove.
 
The Drolets like a strong draft and dry wood. My Austral is very controllable, To my knowledge I've never been close to an overfire situation and I really like the stove bypass, works flawlessly. Glass stays clean. Built in Canada.
 
The Drolets like a strong draft and dry wood. My Austral is very controllable, To my knowledge I've never been close to an overfire situation and I really like the stove bypass, works flawlessly. Glass stays clean. Built in Canada.
i have to agree on all that, the drolet is very controllable and when you shut the air down it really shuts it down -even if it starts to burn hot and take off, cut air back and it cools off quick
 
i have to agree on all that, the drolet is very controllable and when you shut the air down it really shuts it down -even if it starts to burn hot and take off, cut air back and it cools off quick

The ability to keep control of the burn is really important to me; gives a guy peace of mind.... I think the Austral would suit me pretty well, and I've haven't heard the slightest hint of a reason not to go with Drolet.... I think I'm sold!

Thanks guys :)
 
Either one will make ya a good heater. The 30-NC does comes with a blower too.
 
Chuck, when I was trolling the Kent on the South side of the Saint John river, I'm pretty sure they had one on the shelf, and it was on sale :)
 
Chuck, when I was trolling the Kent on the South side of the Saint John river, I'm pretty sure they had one on the shelf, and it was on sale :)

Yep, that's the one I'm going to get! Unfortunately I won't be able to test it out until next season; I'm almost out of dry wood.... :(

Thanks
 
Status
Not open for further replies.