Seeking Opinion: Stove for Small Off-Grid

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midrover170

New Member
Sep 21, 2015
12
Idaho
Hi all -

First time poster here. Enjoy all the wisdom on the forum.

I'm building a remote, off-grid cabin for weekend use. Location is in southern Idaho so we're talking hot summers and cold (not frigid) winters. The cabin has a 550 sf. footprint, but with a small loft, the total floor area is about 720 sf. It's a long design, 14'x32' for the main structure. The roof is a long sloping 3.5:12 shed roof.

I have started wood stove installation - just hung the chimney support box. My plan is to go with the Englander 17-VL. It will be placed in a corner of the cabin, on the low side of the roof. I'm planning to provide the minimum 15' chimney height that Englander recommends.

I haven't purchased the stove yet, so my question is this: Does this sound like an appropriate stove for my need/use? The 17-VL has great reviews, a really large viewing window, and is the perfect size for my small-ish space. However, it's non-catalytic and I've read that it can burn quite hot. I don't want to roast while visiting, obviously. I've gone far to insulate the cabin well: R-30 in the cathedral ceiling, R-19 in the walls and 3 inches of closed-cell sprayed underneath (post/pier founation). So, once it's warm in there, it should stay warm for quite some time.

For a long while, I consided the Jotul 602 B. However, I like the looks and footprint of the 17-VL better, and again, it has some wonderful reviews. Another I considered was the Blaze King Chinook 20 - another small guy, but I think with my hearth/pipe location, I might fail to meet some clearances. I have a 4'x4' hearth area in the corner, with the pipe stubbing down slightly behind center, favoring the corner.

Thanks,
Drew
 
If you can afford it and the cabin is secure then the BK Ashford will heat more evenly. It has a significantly larger firebox, longer burntimes and costs several times more than the 17VL. The fire view will be better a lot of the times with the 17VL if this is mostly for ambiance but the Ashford will outperform its burn times by 3-4x due to the larger volume of wood and the cat. A compromise to think about would be a 2 cu ft Pacific Energy Super 27 or Alderlea T5. It has excellent burn times for a non-cat with a good fire view. The price is a bit nicer too.
 
With double wall pipe you'll get great clearances with the 17 and in a small space that extra room is handy. Can't say enough good things about that stove. You'll be getting 2-4 hr fires depending on what your burning, draft etc, but it's a little giant that can put out some great heat. The fire view can't be beat. It's just a great little stove.
 
Thank you both. While browsing the Pacific Energy site I saw the Neo 1.2 - wow, great looking stove that matches our look. Might call a local dealer to inquire about price. I am trying to keep stove cost (not including chimney) under $1,000.

MaintenanceMan said:
With double wall pipe you'll get great clearances with the 17 and in a small space that extra room is handy. Can't say enough good things about that stove. You'll be getting 2-4 hr fires depending on what your burning, draft etc, but it's a little giant that can put out some great heat. The fire view can't be beat. It's just a great little stove.
Click to expand...

Since the 17-VL seems to be a good fit, my only concern is the ability the control heat amount. MaintenanceMan, do you have direct experience with the stove? Is it safe to assume that I could throttle the heat down, or is it more of a full-burn all-the-time stove? There was a thread on the forum called "Englander 17-vl cooking me out of the house" that has me concerned
 
midrover170 said:
Thank you both. While browsing the Pacific Energy site I saw the Neo 1.2 - wow, great looking stove that matches our look. Might call a local dealer to inquire about price. I am trying to keep stove cost (not including chimney) under $1,000.
Click to expand...

That budget may pose a problem. Take a look at the (PE) True North TN20. Its larger firebox should also give you overnight burns in contrast to the other stoves you are considering. One advantage is that it has pretty close clearances which will make an install easier in a small space.
 
I've burned mine for three winters now. Used the blower a lot and heated 1450 sq ft with it quite well. It's not a all the way on or all the way completely off type stove. When you pull the primary closed the secondary combustion works great and slows down/ extends the burn some. GREAT light show with the secondary flames typically. That said. there isn't much a middle of the road with it really. I typically ran it all the way open (first fire etc) or closed the primary all the way. More like hi or low. not hi med low in my experience.

You have to learn how to adjust your load for what you need. Even though it's a small stove. you don't have to fill her up all the way every time. Pack it full of extremely dry cedar and she's gonna rocket. a few right sized splits of oak and you might be just right. What you burn, how much you load and what kind of draft your getting all plays into it too.

If you want a long slow fire that gets longer burn times and more precise/ even temps you need to look at some cat stoves. That's going to be real hard to find in your budget though. Probably used would be about the only way to find a cat stove under 1K. For a new epa/ secondary type combustion stove. I wouldn't hesitate going with a 17.
 
Hi all -

Was continuing research today and found a slightly used (one month) Pacific Energy Vista in the area for $1,200. Gentleman used it for a short time, then upgraded to a Super 27 (he has a pretty large home). If you were me, would you jump on this instead of the 17-VL? Seems like a great deal to me, as they go new for around $1,500 (no blower). Original dealer is willing to honor all the warranties for new owner as well.

Thanks,
D
 
Nice little stove that should heat your space. However, don't expect any significant heat for more than 5 to 6 hours max.
 
Seems like a good deal on a vista. I'd say it would be good match for you.
 
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