Help choosing: Osburn Matrix vs Enviro Cabello 1700 vs Jotul C550 Rockland

SlowFocus · Oct 10, 2015

Hi all,

This is my first post on the site but I've been doing extensive research for over a year, mostly reading threads on this forum.

We have just done an extensive renovation/rebuild of a 2,700sq ft 2-storey house in the Greater Vancouver area (similar coastal rainforest climate as Seattle Wa), and we are planning to install a woodburning insert in the existing open-hearth fireplace. The insert will be installed in the main living space on the upper floor. We would like to be able to have the unit burn overnight and ideally this would be the primary heat source for the house. Our winters are mild compared to those back east!

We are looking for a flush mounted insert and have narrowed it down to the following inserts:
Osburn Matrix
Enviro Cabello 1700
Jotul C550 Rockland

Our preferred vendor carries all three product lines. However, they also sell Regency units and have been pushing us towards the catalyzed CI2600 or Hampton HI400. We have decided that we do not want the hassle and complexity of a catalyzed unit.

We burn well-seasoned douglas fir wood primarily, with some other wood such as alder or young maple on occasion.

Please let us know your thoughts on the units we have selected, and how we should choose between them. We want to have a unit with a good secondary burn and an effective electric fan/blower to circulate the heat. My father-in-law has a large (huge!) Enviro freestanding woodburning stove and the secondary burn on that unit is amazing.

Our fireplace opening is pictured here:

Thank you!

Swedishchef · Oct 10, 2015

All of the models you're looking at are great inserts. That being said, the price point may vary from one to another.

I think the big difference, other than the cost, is the look. I find the Matrix is more of a modern, urban looking stove. The Enviro and JOtul, in my opinion are more stylish.

But I do like Osburn's customer service! Made in Canada and can get good service (even with your 3 hour time difference from their plant in Quebec

)

Andrew

begreen · Oct 10, 2015

Enviro makes very good stoves. I'd add the Hearthstone Clydesdale to the options if you haven't looked at that insert.

SlowFocus · Oct 11, 2015

Thanks for the replies! I think we're leaning towards the Enviro Cabello, but we want to make sure we make a good choice. None of the vendors around here are able to show the units burning so we're relying on internet research.

Thanks for the suggestion about the Hearthstone Clydesdale...I've seen that unit mentioned several times on these forums but the look of that unit isn't what we'd like.

jatoxico · Oct 11, 2015

The Jotul throws decent heat but you'll have trouble getting it to burn overnight. From the pic you posted and your needs you might not deal with the limitations of a flush mount. If the room permits go for a unit that extends onto the hearth with a good size firebox. You won't have to rely on fans in case of a power outage and will have more versatility in how you load (E/W & N/S) and run the stove.

jeffesonm · Oct 11, 2015

I absolutely loved my Matrix but swapped it out for a bigger, freestanding stove for more heat and no fan.

SlowFocus · Oct 12, 2015

Jatoxico: thanks for your input. We have a Jotul C350 downstairs and it's a nice insert but doesn't burn all that long. We were worried that the C550 would be an improvement but not a real overnight burner. Thanks for your input about stove layout. We are stuck going with a flush-mount insert because our hearth is 22" from edge to the masonry. In Canada the minimum allowable hearth is 18" from the front of the insert to the edge of the hearth....so we can't install a unit like the Enviro Boston or other inserts that protrude a bit.

Jeffesonm: I've read your threads and appreciate you posting about your experiences with the Matrix unit. You have helped me narrow my choices to include the Matrix unit.

I'm emailing for quotes for the Matrix and Cabello today. We'll see how they come back.

Fiziksgeek · Oct 12, 2015

As a data point. I am going onto my 3rd....4th season..I forget...with a Jotul Rockland 550. Lots of variables to juggle to get a good long burn, but I would say 50% of the time the fan, if left in auto is still on in the morning, and 90% of the time there are enough coals to get the fire started without a fire starter.

jatoxico · Oct 12, 2015

SlowFocus said:
In Canada the minimum allowable hearth is 18" from the front of the insert to the edge of the hearth....

In my case the room layout required a flush mount and could not accommodate a temporary hearth pad since it would be in the walkway and interfere with furniture etc. Would your room allow you to have a temporary pad that you could then remove in summer?

FishHarder · Oct 13, 2015

Pick my Matrix up tomorrow. Has a huge front door. Great heat. And I think it's the most modern looking. If I didn't go with that I was going Enviro Venice 1700. Has a long burn time. Can't wait to put the Matrix to the test with a thick overnighter log. See how she burns. Will let ya know. We are getting 30s this weekend at night. Will be a good test for her

stovelark · Oct 13, 2015

All the stoves you mentioned are good heaters. The Enviro has the bigger firebox of the 3, slightly larger at 2.5 cuft to Matrix's 2.4. The Matrix has price on its side, great value stoves. I think all will keep you warm. Have burned the 1700 for years, it is a beautiful burning stove, very high quality for the money spent. Enviro blowers are quiet too. The Matrix has a selectable two speed blower, I've had to replace a couple of them too, they're not the easiest to get to.

jeffesonm · Oct 13, 2015

FishHarder said:
Pick my Matrix up tomorrow. Has a huge front door. Great heat. And I think it's the most modern looking. If I didn't go with that I was going Enviro Venice 1700. Has a long burn time. Can't wait to put the Matrix to the test with a thick overnighter log. See how she burns. Will let ya know. We are getting 30s this weekend at night. Will be a good test for her

Awesome! You will love it. Not everyone is a fan of the modern design but I think it looks fantastic... simple, clean, giant window. Burns great too.

FishHarder · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks jeffersonm I'm making the block off plate tomorrow. Get this thing in by weekend. Going down to 30s.

Anyone have a technique for for speed cutting proper sized logs. ? I keep going bigger then 20" and get mad I'm cutting then in half.

SlowFocus · Oct 13, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys. Got quotes today for the Enviro Cabello 1700 and the Osburn Matrix. Matrix is $300 cheaper. Gonna have to give this some thought tonight

Huntindog1 · Oct 14, 2015

I would go with the Enviro as looks like you can load North/South a big feature for an insert.

North/South (Ends of wood towards the front) you can load a 20" split.

You can usually get more wood loaded North South also as no worry of split falling out on you.

If you cut your wood 18" or less you can load East/West (side to side).

You will love having the ability to load North/South and not worry about stuff rolling out on you or onto the glass.

stovelark · Oct 14, 2015

Hi slow- comparing the Matrix to the Cabello directly, the Enviro does have a couple of niceties. It has an auto/man selection for the blower and adjustable rheostat, firebox is slightly larger and is pretty deep (for N/S load) and its all cast. The Matrix is a nice stove, contemporary looking with a great fireview. I thought the Cabello was more than 300 dollars more, could be our pricing down here... Anyway, both nice stoves.

futzol · Oct 14, 2015

Hi there, I have the matrix and burned it last winter (first winter) with less than seasoned wood. I had cut a few dead standing maples which were drier than my green wood but still not the best wood to burn... first season usually is tough.

Anyway, the matrix performed nicely. Kept the house at a comfy 70 degrees at half power (if that makes sense). During the cold nights -40 and cold days -5F the matrix kept us warm at 68*.

I am heating around 1500 sq ft, 6 inch walls, double pane windows. and i didnt install a blockoff plate. ( I am making it and installing it before this winter.)

My wife and i love the stove because of the contemporary look, and because of the large view of the fire. We often sat there with wine and watched it. The matrix also offers a screen for the door. I found myself opening the door when i had coals (from unseasoned wood) to burn them off and the heat coming off the coals definitely helped heat the room faster. So i might purchase the screen this year.

the negative?
the blower rattles the bottom sheet metal of the stove depending on how hot/cold the stove gets. I have tightened all the screws and bolts down there, shoved shims to close the gaps... and i cant get that bugger to stop rattling. I have resorted to just having a small allen wrench jammed between the masonry and the sheet metal of the stove. when that bugger starts rattling my wife or i just adjust the wrench and it stops.

cheers

jeffesonm · Oct 14, 2015

futzol said:
the blower rattles the bottom sheet metal of the stove depending on how hot/cold the stove gets. I have tightened all the screws and bolts down there, shoved shims to close the gaps... and i cant get that bugger to stop rattling. I have resorted to just having a small allen wrench jammed between the masonry and the sheet metal of the stove. when that bugger starts rattling my wife or i just adjust the wrench and it stops.

I had the same issue and had good luck wedging some Roxul insulation in that same spot.

futzol · Oct 14, 2015

jeffesonm said:
I had the same issue and had good luck wedging some Roxul insulation in that same spot.

Thanks, im going to try that.

stovelark · Oct 14, 2015

Hi Futzol- have found stove gasket strategically located will usually negate pesky rattles, espec the 3/4 in tape gasket used for glass in wood stove doors.

FishHarder · Oct 15, 2015

Futzol -40F can thankfully say only experienced that one time. My lows are more like 10F. My house is the same size. Open floor. Gives me comfortable hearing you say your heat was there. Just picked up Roxul. Gotta get it installed when I'm off. Will let you know if I hear it rattle. Did it take long to get the first burn stink/cure over with? What's the screen your talking about? If it's for the front door to stay open, doesn't that help make a stronger draft and negative pressure in your home?

futzol · Oct 19, 2015

FishHarder said:
Futzol -40F can thankfully say only experienced that one time. My lows are more like 10F. My house is the same size. Open floor. Gives me comfortable hearing you say your heat was there. Just picked up Roxul. Gotta get it installed when I'm off. Will let you know if I hear it rattle. Did it take long to get the first burn stink/cure over with? What's the screen your talking about? If it's for the front door to stay open, doesn't that help make a stronger draft and negative pressure in your home?

Hi FishHarder
Sorry, was out of town for a while. The screen is found here http://www.osburn-mfg.com/en/heaters/matrix-wood-insert
check out the link for 'see the options'. Not worried about negative air. Yes it creates a stronger draft (nothing like when the door is cracked though) but I want that to help burn the coals down and keep heating nice.

The first burn was all we needed to get rid of the paint cure smell. have it burning now with some american elm. house is around 72. it is 40 out. Didn't pack the stove, just put a few pieces on to take the chill off.

Cheers, let me know how your burns turn out!

FishHarder · Oct 19, 2015

Thanks deffinetly gonna look er up. Been 2 weeks. Waiting for my dang stove. 3 more days they said today. Manufacturer never shipped it out. It's about 40 at night. Gonna pull the liner tomorrow. Can't wait. Sugar maple and cherry for me this year. Let ya know how mine runs. Stay warm

Irocelectric93 · Jan 17, 2016

I have a thread on here where I bought recently an enviro Boston unit. Its not the same exact unit as the cabello or Venice but the firebox and features are basically the same. I can say mine has been a joy. Long burn times and a great look. All the stoves mentioned from what I've seen are great choices though. Good luck but most important is to have fun! Nothing better than wood heat

FishHarder · Jan 17, 2016

Here is my Osburn Matrix with a filler I made to fill the gap until I restone then fire place. Been 14 at night and house main room gets to 78. Back bedrooms 68. Burn time with a full box of cherry gets me from 10 o'clock to about 430 when the boiler kicked back on. Luck me I wake up at 430 5 and just chuck some more timber in and make the wife play with the wood till I'm home. Will say this fireplace is picky though. If that wood ain't seasoned perfect. You can't choke the air back at all. But the sugar maple makes this thing throw heat out like a gem. Big disappointment is the lack of fan speeds. But other then that. This has me with still a half tank of oil from October.

Help choosing: Osburn Matrix vs Enviro Cabello 1700 vs Jotul C550 Rockland

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