Re-introduction to Wood Stoves

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wildcat2003

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Jun 15, 2014
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Ok, I have spent hours upon hours on this site looking at all the reviews and specifics regarding new wood stoves. Short story; building a new house (1100sq. basement, 1800 upstairs), using geo-thermal for heat, going to be well insulated BUT I had a 1970's wood stove growing up and loved it. It was a family thing, we cut wood as a family, one of us started/tending the stove (who ever was home first), we sat around the blazing heat on cold nights as a family, so I want one for my family now.

The issue; the builder told me to go see a guy at a lumber yard showroom and pick out a stove. Up to this point I haven't kept up on EPA, CAT, Non-cat stoves at all, my childhood stove was steal and I could probably make one like it if needed. It had two adjustments, flue and door vent. So I talk with this guy about Quadra Fires (all they sell) and he doesn't add much to the conversation but does push us towards a 3100 ST. We didn't like the looks so we went to a place that sells Vermont Castings. Of course that guys steers us towards a VC. He was very knowledgeable but didn't tell us about any other brand he carries (Enviro) and really didn't touch too much on cat vs noncat.

We then went to another store that carries Jotul and of course they were knowledgeable and steered us towards a F 50 (didn't even talk about their other brands, Buck Stove and Harman).

So the question... I want something easy to operate, works with MOST wood (I'll season it but we will burn a lot of hedge), and something that will get the basement up to 80 degrees on those really cold (15 deg. F) days. This isn't going to be my main heating source, I'll use it as much as possible but my other heat will be really cheap so not a big deal. Please give me any suggestions you can because if I keep reading more on this site my wife might take my computer away.
 
Ok, I have spent hours upon hours on this site looking at all the reviews and specifics regarding new wood stoves. Short story; building a new house (1100sq. basement, 1800 upstairs), using geo-thermal for heat, going to be well insulated BUT I had a 1970's wood stove growing up and loved it. It was a family thing, we cut wood as a family, one of us started/tending the stove (who ever was home first), we sat around the blazing heat on cold nights as a family, so I want one for my family now.

The issue; the builder told me to go see a guy at a lumber yard showroom and pick out a stove. Up to this point I haven't kept up on EPA, CAT, Non-cat stoves at all, my childhood stove was steal and I could probably make one like it if needed. It had two adjustments, flue and door vent. So I talk with this guy about Quadra Fires (all they sell) and he doesn't add much to the conversation but does push us towards a 3100 ST. We didn't like the looks so we went to a place that sells Vermont Castings. Of course that guys steers us towards a VC. He was very knowledgeable but didn't tell us about any other brand he carries (Enviro) and really didn't touch too much on cat vs noncat.

We then went to another store that carries Jotul and of course they were knowledgeable and steered us towards a F 50 (didn't even talk about their other brands, Buck Stove and Harman).

So the question... I want something easy to operate, works with MOST wood (I'll season it but we will burn a lot of hedge), and something that will get the basement up to 80 degrees on those really cold (15 deg. F) days. This isn't going to be my main heating source, I'll use it as much as possible but my other heat will be really cheap so not a big deal. Please give me any suggestions you can because if I keep reading more on this site my wife might take my computer away.

Crap, one more detail, stove will go in a corner of the basement. Basement will be finished with stained concrete floor.
 
vista_leg.jpg

Pacific Energy Vista would suit you nice. Easy to operate, not to big or small, well built stoves.
 
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If you've done much research on here I'm guessing you've seen the reviews on VC. Their quality and customer service have tanked. I would steer clear of them for now. Maybe if they were to abandon their rear combustion design I would be interested.
You can't go wrong with Jotul, they are fine stoves. Definately don't over look cat stoves though. They will be able to produce big heat when needed, but also be able to run very slow when needed. Check out Blaze King. They will have the longest burn times out there.
 
Is the concrete slab in the basement insulated? Are the walls in the basement insulated? Is it possible to position the stove so the chimney runs up inside the building structure?

Stoves in corners with an external chimney are more inefficient than centrally located stoves in insulated spaces. Also geothermal is very efficient way to get heat (initial high cost) so why also put in a wood stove - just for ascetics? Do you have access to free wood on your property? How much firewood do you see yourself burning per year?
 
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The concrete is the basement slab but the walls will be insulated. I do have access to free wood, as far as the amount burned in a year I would have no idea. A few years ago we were in the 40s and 50 during the day and 30s at night the majority of the winter, last year was a lot colder. The main reason for the stove is to bring back a little bit of my childhood and give my family an activity to do together (cut, haul, and split wood) and a warm object to sit around. If my wife had her way the house would be 80 all winter, with a stove I'm looking to provide a small area that is 80 for her. I think I have ruled out the VC, I don't have a local rep for Pacific Energy (I think they are about an hour away). I kind of like the looks of the cast versus the steel but have read a lot on here about the drawbacks of both.

Great information on this site, keep the suggestions coming!
 
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Also, $3500 is a very tight budget for a basement install. If you do the entire install yourself it will be possible. Otherwise you will be limited to an entry level stove.
 
Hello a couple of non cats to consider Jotul F500 Oslo (if side loading is not a deal breaker or perhaps a desire??) or Enviro Boston cast on steel stove. For steel stoves, again Enviro or Pacific Energy, two good choices. If cat model, definitely check out the Blaze Kings, cat stoves that are properly designed. Are you doing the install?? If not, $3500 with chimney install and stove installed, that might limit you on amount to spend for stove. The bottom line- any good Mfr stove from Englander NC series to Jotul cast and all in between, all will heat well if given a proper chimney and good seasoned wood to burn. Good luck,, lot of the decision is aesthetics...
 
Welcome to the forums!

First thing: don't let her take the computer away, you won't get a chance to read replies.

Second thing: start cutting and splitting wood. The moisture content needs to be around 20% with all the new stoves (cat or non-cat).

How high of a chimney will you need? Are you going straight outside then up? For a chimney install you can expect to pay around $1200-$1500 depending on the lengths, etc.

So that leaves you with about a $2000 budget for a stove. ENglander, Osburn, Drolet, Napoleon all make stoves in this price range. Jotul, Blaze King and Pacific Energy make awesome stoves but are in a higher price bracket.

Andrew
 
Thanks again for all the replies, I think the first year will be out since I will need to get a good stack of wood going, I really don't think I can break down and buy wood since that just doesn't seem right. I will have a 30' chimney and does it seem that I should go over budget just to get a nice stove? My parent's stove was $400 back in the late 70's and they really haven't done anything to it since, other than cleaning. I really appreciate the input, around here I can get a pretty good discount on the install of the chimney if I buy the stove from the same place. I think I'm leaning towards the Jotul, again I don't really care if it heats the upstairs, I want the family downstairs by the stove. If it gets real cold we will get out our air mattresses and have a family camp out by the stove. This is really making me ready for stove season and it is only June! Thanks again for all the support!
 
Just looked at the Osburn 2300 and it is a really sharp looking stove for a steel. Also, so what I'm hearing is that I shouldn't be put off by a cat or a new EPA stove. How important is it for me to have a dealer within 20 miles of me? I really like the Osburn but the closest dealer is 2hrs away. Again, I don't even think my parents know the manufacturer of their stove and haven't had any issues, but it is a pre EPA stove from the 70's and is pretty in efficient but does the job just fine.
 
One more question... so no one has said anything about the Quadra Fire. My concern is that the "Quadra fire technology" will require more maintenance or will be a stress inducer.
 
I wouldn't get caught up "how great those old stoves were". A new $700 NC-30 will burn circles around those old smoke dragons. The EPA stoves will give out more heat for the same amount of firewood burned, and less 'crud' will be going out the stack.

You will have two things working against you, 1) your basement slab will be collecting some of your heat and sending it to mother earth, and 2) with an outside chimney some of your heat will be wasted going outside your house. I would stay away from the higher cost wood stove brands since you already have an efficient geothermal system.
 
One more question... so no one has said anything about the Quadra Fire. My concern is that the "Quadra fire technology" will require more maintenance or will be a stress inducer.
Just steer clear of rear combustion stoves and you should be fine. They require the most maintenance. And produce the most headaches.
 
Ok, just so that I understand... how do I determine a rear combustion stove? Will it state that somewhere in the brochure? So far the Jotul seems to be the easiest to use. I also may be getting a little overwhelmed by the things I read on here about the Quadra fire and not giving off a lot of radiant heat, etc. I truly appreciate all the input, this has been a huge help.
 
And it really isn't "how great" the old stove is that my parent still use but more so it is something I am familiar with, I'm sure it isn't great, I just get a little concerned about all the intricacies with the new stoves.
 
Ok, just so that I understand... how do I determine a rear combustion stove? Will it state that somewhere in the brochure? So far the Jotul seems to be the easiest to use. I also may be getting a little overwhelmed by the things I read on here about the Quadra fire and not giving off a lot of radiant heat, etc. I truly appreciate all the input, this has been a huge help.
You want a stove with tubes in the top or a catalyst. Avoid stoves that draw smoke down into the back of the stove. For example: VC, some Harmon's, Lopi Leyden.
 
The quadra fire is more of a convective stove than radiant, but for what you want to do it might be perfect. I say that because in an insulated basement built today vs 40 years ago a radiant stove might cook the room to way over 80 degrees. The Quadra-fire is a great stove unless you feed it even slightly wet wood. Feed it good dry wood and it is a heat monster.
 
They've never been very good as far as I've ever known.
Ya, they have always used fragile components. It's not uncommon to drop close to a grand on repairs. Its Hard to believe they used to be better than they are now!
 
I've had my PE for. . . .4 years or so and have needed the dealer for nothing. So in some regard dealer proximity is not vital.

Same situation here. The dealer I bought my stove from doesn't really want anything to do with Blaze King. Luckily, BK is one of those manufacturers that is quite willing to accept phone calls and offer as much help as possible. Hearth & Home Technologies, parent company of QF, doesn't have that reputation. Still, a good dealer is a big part of the game if you do have any warranty issues.

Another stove that may work for you http://www.woodstove.com/ideal-steel-hybrid Introductory pricing was supposed to end May 30, but I would call and check. When I talked to them earlier in the spring, I was told the deadline wasn't set in stone. And, they only deal factory direct, so there is no dealer to worry about. Great company with top shelf products and a stellar reputation.

Pacific Energy's Super 27 is another that may be a good fit, and can be had for less than $2k.
 
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