My stove is too small

Jukeboxfun · Oct 30, 2008

I bought a Hearthstone Craftsbury. After burning with it awhile I figured out I should have gotten a bigger stove. So far it throws plenty of heat but the firebox 1.5 is too small. It only takes a max 17 inch log. If I were buying again I would get the next size bigger with a side load door. Live & learn. I didn't do enough research first and let the salesman steer me wrong, not the first time. So if you are shopping for a stove do your research.

FireWalker · Oct 30, 2008

Funny, My salesman who I think was absolutely correct pushed me towards a larger stove than I was initially considering. 13 years ago if I were a member of this site I would have posted a similar thread as this one. It didn't take me long to know I didn't have enough stove. The fact that I kept that stove for as long as I did should tell you something. Most of the time I was able to squeek by, some of the time I was burning more oil than I wanted.

Things you can do, get your hands on good quality hardwood and make sure it's dry, make that little beauty work at it peak for you. Reduce your heat loss from your home, caulk, seal, buy new high performance windows and doors and insulate. Short of getting a bigger stove it's your only option.

cannonballcobb · Oct 30, 2008

Jukeboxfun said:
So far it throws plenty of heat but the firebox 1.5 is too small. It only takes a max 17 inch log.

Sounds like all you need is a small chain saw to cut your splits in half.

trapshooter9 · Oct 30, 2008

I got a Craftsbury this year. I like it a lot but I can see where the max log length could be a problem if you buy your wood. I cut my own so I just cut it a little shorter. My home is small, (1100 sf ranch) and it is heating it fine so far but hasn't gotten very cold out yet. The original owner of the stove had traded it in because it was too small.

Henz · Oct 30, 2008

I was in the very same situiation three years ago. The stove distributor came out and inspected my house. Formed the opinion that I was going to be happy with the Avalon Rainier for my needs. I had it installed and used it for 2 months. During those two months I would have to get up in the early am and re-load the stove to maintain my desired temps. After doing that for that amount of time I called the person back and said that I was not happy with the stove. He asked why and I stated my reasons. I told him that I wanted the Olympic broght in. He siad no problem, I will work up the additional cost estimate and get back to you.
Long story short, he charged me the additional price between the lesser Rainier and the Olympic and added on a small delivery fee and gave me a 100% refun on my used Rainier. Now that in my opinion is a good outfit to do business with.

burntime · Oct 30, 2008

That is the type of place I wish I came across. My install was a nightmare originally.

Andy99 · Oct 30, 2008

I should have gotten a larger stove also. I love the stove and so far it heats my house with no problems BUT the firebox is too small and I have to start a new fire every morning and every night when i get back from work. I just cant get long enough burn times....

burntime · Oct 30, 2008

I like your tag line in your signiture, good stuff! You will notice yourself looking at downed trees and log pile a lot more. Kind of like when you drive a 4 door f-150 and start realizing how many are on the road! :lol:

theora55 · Oct 31, 2008

I have a smaller stove than that, a Waterford 100b. It's my 2ndary heat, so the lack of overnight fire is okay. I really didn't count on what a pain it would be to get reliable 15" cut wood. So, if you need to give that pretty new stove a new home in Maine, you could get a larger stove!

Andy99 · Oct 31, 2008

burntime said:
I like your tag line in your signiture, good stuff! You will notice yourself looking at downed trees and log pile a lot more. Kind of like when you drive a 4 door f-150 and start realizing how many are on the road! :lol:

No kidding All of a sudden I notice wood piles in peoples yards and stare in envy. The other morning I could hear a chain saw and had to go investigate just in case it was a chance for some free wood. In the past I would have rolled back over and went back to sleep...

sl7vk · Oct 31, 2008

Jukeboxfun said:
I bought a Hearthstone Craftsbury. After burning with it awhile I figured out I should have gotten a bigger stove. So far it throws plenty of heat but the firebox 1.5 is too small. It only takes a max 17 inch log. If I were buying again I would get the next size bigger with a side load door. Live & learn. I didn't do enough research first and let the salesman steer me wrong, not the first time. So if you are shopping for a stove do your research.

First of all you've got a mighty fine looking stove there, and if you can burn in these temperatures with the door wide open like that (without spilling smoke), it looks like you've got a good install and good draft. So lets focus on the positives first.

Tell us why you think it's too small. How big is your house? Do you have a secondary heating system? How cold has it been in your area recently, etc....

Jukeboxfun · Oct 31, 2008

The draft is good, I think we used the fireplace screen for it once. It's been in the upper 30's here in Lancaster co. PA at night. Just using it now in the evenings not trying to burn overnight yet. Seems like short burn times though. The hottest I have seen it burn is 570 degrees with the air wide open. It's just an inconvenience to have to watch the lengths of the wood I bring in to make sure they aren't too long. I have an electric chainsaw to work on the rest. The house is 1150 sq. ft. We have an oil boiler so I guess we just wanted to get away from that some. We also have a couple of those Delonghi oil filled electric heaters for the back rooms for when it gets really cold. We have good replacement windows but the house isn't real airtight by any means. We originally looked at the middle size Dutchwest. I think this stove will be okay, but if I had it do over I probably would get the mansfield which I think is the next size up.

pyro68 · Oct 31, 2008

Andy99 said:
I should have gotten a larger stove also. I love the stove and so far it heats my house with no problems BUT the firebox is too small and I have to start a new fire every morning and every night when i get back from work. I just cant get long enough burn times....

there is a very fine line to walk, often times if you size the stove correctly to your sq ftg, you can't get the burn times you want. If you go with a stove big enough to get the burn times and have a stove sized too big for the space you can't burn it hot enough and aren't happy with the performance. I'm lucky because my stove is actually too large, but my wife loves for the house to be 85 :eek:

hh: keep hoping it will make her wear less. . . . so far no luck but I'm still hoping :cheese: Any suggestions ??

pyro68 · Oct 31, 2008

[quote author="Jukeboxfun" date="1225392649"]I bought a Hearthstone Craftsbury. After burning with it awhile I figured out I should have gotten a bigger stove.

just curious, did you check w/ the shop where you purchased to see if they would let you trade for a larger one? Shop located on 322?

Jukeboxfun · Oct 31, 2008

Well, Due to an unexpected seasonal layoff from work...upgrading wouldn't be an option anyway.

It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job.
It's a depression when you lose your job.

pyro68 · Oct 31, 2008

sorry to hear about your layoff, wishing you good luck. thinking there shouldn't be much difference in price between the craftsbury & the shelbourne. Dealer may be willing to work w/ you. Other option would be selling that one, looking for another used that is larger. . . . would definately recommend checking w/the dealer to see what your options may be.

sl7vk · Oct 31, 2008

Jukeboxfun said:
The draft is good, I think we used the fireplace screen for it once. It's been in the upper 30's here in Lancaster co. PA at night. Just using it now in the evenings not trying to burn overnight yet. Seems like short burn times though. The hottest I have seen it burn is 570 degrees with the air wide open. It's just an inconvenience to have to watch the lengths of the wood I bring in to make sure they aren't too long. I have an electric chainsaw to work on the rest. The house is 1150 sq. ft. We have an oil boiler so I guess we just wanted to get away from that some. We also have a couple of those Delonghi oil filled electric heaters for the back rooms for when it gets really cold. We have good replacement windows but the house isn't real airtight by any means. We originally looked at the middle size Dutchwest. I think this stove will be okay, but if I had it do over I probably would get the mansfield which I think is the next size up.

It sounds to me like you've got more of a problem with the split size then with the heat it's putting out.... Is that a fair statement?

Not many stoves out there take splits bigger then 18".......

pyro68 · Oct 31, 2008

may want to try smaller diameter splits and packing them into the stove tighter. I found that using smaller diameter splits and packing them in really tight gives longer burn time. Less air movement around the wood lends to longer burn times.

Bill · Nov 4, 2008

I am sure you tried this but, reduce the draft when the stove is 570* and it will burn hot and longer. Let that secondary combustion give you some extra heat. Make sure your wood is nice and dry and you may be able to do better than you think.

gpcollen1 · Nov 4, 2008

Yeah - noted that split size is part of the issue. That stove may be ok with the right length splits - if they are seasoned and the right diameter for an overnight burn.

VTSR5 · Nov 4, 2008

Jukeboxfun said:
I bought a Hearthstone Craftsbury. After burning with it awhile I figured out I should have gotten a bigger stove. So far it throws plenty of heat but the firebox 1.5 is too small. It only takes a max 17 inch log. If I were buying again I would get the next size bigger with a side load door. Live & learn. I didn't do enough research first and let the salesman steer me wrong, not the first time. So if you are shopping for a stove do your research.

That's a beautiful stove and a beautiful install. You should be proud. As perhaps the only person on the forum with a smaller firebox than you (1.25 cu. ft VC WinterWarm small), let me give you my top ten reasons why small is beautiful:

10. You can run that stove like a rented mule all winter long, hot and hard, the way it was designed to be run.
9. You'll probably have wood left over in the spring for a change.
8. You're going to become an expert in packing the firebox just so for an overnight burn.
7. Until then, your going to become brilliant at kindling a perfect fire in 59 seconds.
6. Someday, when you build an addition or a camp, this little stove will be just the thing...
5. If it truly is too small, you'll have no problem convincing your sig. other to approve the upgrade.
4. When you are 75 years old with a bad back, those 16" splits will still be manageable.
3. Less wood in means fewer ashes out.
2. The sawdust from all those 1" offcuts makes great mulch.
And the number one reason why small is beautiful...
1. You can carry a full fuel load under one arm and grab a cold beer with the other.

akhilljack · Nov 4, 2008

it just depends on how well your house holds heat. a dealer here told me to get a stove with a 2.0 sqft firebox for my 1100 sqft house when i came in to get one with a 1.8 (osburn 2000 and 1600 respectivley) and after i found a better deal on an osburn 1600 elswhere i found out it was much too large. my house is always at 85-90. i would open windows but it lets all the moisture out and my infant starts to cough uncontrolably and we all get nose bleeds.

BJ64 · Nov 5, 2008

VTZJ said:
Jukeboxfun said:

I bought a Hearthstone Craftsbury. After burning with it awhile I figured out I should have gotten a bigger stove. So far it throws plenty of heat but the firebox 1.5 is too small. It only takes a max 17 inch log. If I were buying again I would get the next size bigger with a side load door. Live & learn. I didn't do enough research first and let the salesman steer me wrong, not the first time. So if you are shopping for a stove do your research.

Click to expand...

That's a beautiful stove and a beautiful install. You should be proud. As perhaps the only person on the forum with a smaller firebox than you (1.25 cu. ft VC WinterWarm small), let me give you my top ten reasons why small is beautiful:

10. You can run that stove like a rented mule all winter long, hot and hard, the way it was designed to be run.
9. You'll probably have wood left over in the spring for a change.
8. You're going to become an expert in packing the firebox just so for an overnight burn.
7. Until then, your going to become brilliant at kindling a perfect fire in 59 seconds.
6. Someday, when you build an addition or a camp, this little stove will be just the thing...
5. If it truly is too small, you'll have no problem convincing your sig. other to approve the upgrade.
4. When you are 75 years old with a bad back, those 16" splits will still be manageable.
3. Less wood in means fewer ashes out.
2. The sawdust from all those 1" offcuts makes great mulch.
And the number one reason why small is beautiful...
1. You can carry a full fuel load under one arm and grab a cold beer with the other.

That was great and true on all accounts.

Arlo · Nov 5, 2008

Jotul F600 in a 70 year old 1400 sgft cottage, leaky, single pane windows, little to no insulation in walls, NO WORRIES. I love having a oversized stove. Shorts in December baby! When we were originally looking around the salesman was pointing us to a small steel stove saying it would be more than enough. So glad we went big! GO BIG OR GO HOME COLD ! Never trust a salesman.

Still it is a very nice looking install and belowis so true!

10. You can run that stove like a rented mule all winter long, hot and hard, the way it was designed to be run.
9. You’ll probably have wood left over in the spring for a change.
8. You’re going to become an expert in packing the firebox just so for an overnight burn.
7. Until then, your going to become brilliant at kindling a perfect fire in 59 seconds.
6. Someday, when you build an addition or a camp, this little stove will be just the thing…
5. If it truly is too small, you’ll have no problem convincing your sig. other to approve the upgrade.
4. When you are 75 years old with a bad back, those 16” splits will still be manageable.
3. Less wood in means fewer ashes out.
2. The sawdust from all those 1” offcuts makes great mulch.
And the number one reason why small is beautiful…
1. You can carry a full fuel load under one arm and grab a cold beer with the other.

drewboy · Nov 5, 2008

My stove is small (same size as your firebox) and yes, wood management is kind of a pain in the a-- because most of my piles were cut at 18+" lengths.
But... the thought of a bigger stove cranking us right out of the room doesn't exactly work in my case. I'm really happy with the heat output - even in mid-winter
and with the location of my stove, a bigger might not be "more able" to heat the upstairs any better. The efficiency is great and I can actually get an overnight burn
if I throw a 5" round tucked way in the back before I Hit the Hay...

So, I'm not Knock'n the little stove...

My stove is too small

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