Rexford, Montana 1,000 Square foot cabin needs a stove

englander makes some nice stoves. but they, and any epa stove is going to need good dry wood or you will have nothing but frustration. the model 17-vl is close to the size you might like, though personally i would go the next size up. you can always build a smaller fire in a bigger box not the other way around.

KC058 said:

Hi all,

I've really enjoyed reading all the stove reviews here and decided to stop in with a few questions.

To paint the picture I will be living in the west kootenai as a single female with wood heat as a primary heat source with propane backup.

This area only has soft wood to burn with.

I don't want the maintenance of a catalytic stove, I'm not sure I'd be able to replace those components easily in that area if they fail.

Local dealer recommended the Kuma Tamarack.

Issue is trying to comfortably heat a 1,000 square foot area without being in a too hot/too cold cycle. I need to be able to burn the stove hot enough that I am not creating extra creosote.

I have no problem not using a high end stove and going with something like an englander although the Kuma looks like a really nice stove.

I'd like something with a self cleaning glass door...

In a perfect world I could find an old stove that would smolder for 3 days on low but apparently new EPA restrictions don't allow for stoves to work like they used to.

Any insight is appreciated. Hope everyone is staying warm~

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Hi...I live in SW Colorado elev 6500 ft. House is one story 1300 sq ft ranch. I have electric base board heat in each room. My stove is Englander 13 and this is the third winter burning with it. The stove is in the living room and heats that area along with the adjoining kitchen and DR. We never need to turn on the elec heat in those areas.Our bedroom is on the other end of the house and the layout is not conducive to getting a lot of heat to that area so we turn on elec heat in that area as needed. I read as much info as possible on this site and ultimately decided on this stove to meet my needs most of the time. The stove does need somewhat frequently re loading but I am retired and get up early so this is not a problem to me. Yoy could certainly get a bigger stove that has longer burn times if you'd like. The NC 13 has a higher R requirement for the hearth so you should consider that.

I would look for something that is jacketed or soapstone lined so you can have a gentle heat and smooth out the burn cycle.

The PE Vista would be nice: http://www.pacificenergy.net/products/wood/traditional-stoves/vista/

As mentioned the Englander line of stoves would work as well on a budget, take a look at the Madison for longer burns: http://www.amfmenergy.com/50masmheup18.html

I'd be looking for around a 2 cu ft stove personally. Even with your sq footage it would be better to have that extra capacity for those cold Montana winters especially with softer woods. True North 19, PE Super 27 or T5, Englander Madison all would be good suggestions IMO.

I would give blaze king a good look. I know You said no cat but from what I read there is nothing complicated about their maintenance they are very easy to operate and they run like a dream. Look into a blaze king performance thread.

Hi KC, in your area, a nice pacific northwest stove sounds like the easier path. A PE, Enviro, Quadrafire, or Lopi stove all sound like great choices. I'd still get the bigger models, 2-3 cuft, many nice choices to pick from. All would be easy to run, easy to like stoves. Good luck in your find.

Thanks for making Kuma part of your research. All of the stoves listed here are fine products, and this community will surely help you choose one that's a good fit.

Welcome @KC058, Rexford is a beautiful place! I went camping there this summer. Its to bad you dont want a cat stove because they excel at low slow burns, check out Blaze King. Unless your place is real drafty I think a 3 cf would be to much of a heater. You did say 1000 sq ft so Im assuming no basement right? I know the weather in your area and with a lengthy burning season punctuated with some good ol arctic fronts it would be a good option for you to at least to look into. You would also be able to achieve over night burns at a lower temperature so you dont cook yourself out. Pacific Energy are good stoves (see my sig). I looked at the Kuma stoves just now, they look real nice. Good to see them piping up here as well. Hows the wood supply? hopefully you can find yourself some larch. Good luck!

Add another BK recommendation to your list.

800 sq ft here. 7000+ elevation in CO Rockies. On the warmer days when it's 32F or above with lows only touching the mid-teens we only need to load it in the evening and the house stays warm (a STEADY 68-72) til the next evening when we load it again. When it's 20F for the high and 0F for the low we load it sooner/burn it a bit hotter... maybe twice a day.

If you want to burn a stove and not be a slave to it 3-4 times a day...or you work and you want to come home to a warm house...I cannot say enough about these stoves. As far as "maintenance".....haven't had any yet....6 weeks of constant/steady/RELIABLE burns.... and a 10 year warranty on the cat... I mean..yeah...>someday< I'm sure there will be something that needs replaced... but no more than ANY other stove.

the difference, IMO, is that you'll fuss and struggle with most other stoves multiple times per day to keep it full/keep your house a steady temperature.....and with a BK...you fill it and go live your life without having to sit in front of the stove and feed it logs all day....and your house will feel like you are running a gas/electric furnace. The heat is THAT steady...at least here in our small abode...

Best of luck whatever you decide.