Jotul C 550 vs. C 450 vs. Other Suggestions

We were in the same situation as you are a year ago. We went with the 550 and could not be happier. We used no propane in the upper floor last year. We have an upside down house the living space is on the first floor and the bedrooms are in the basement, with infloor heat. The insert has a steep learning curve bu within a month we had it down. We now have 5 cords for next winter and don't expect to need any additional heat to keep us warm. The 550 vs the 450 seems to be about heat output go with the 550. BTW this was my wife's idea and I am in love with the results!

Not as much info. on 550 because it is new.

450 is not flush. It has double doors which can be awkward when reloading - always a door to work around. It is really nice looking though and the fact that it sticks out means you get radiant heat from it.


Don't know if you have looked at floor models but I highly recommend that you do. Firebox in 550 is much bigger than in the 450.

You didn't mention space size you are heating. A 450 might be just fine if your space is small.

I personally went with the 550 because of the larger firebox and I am well pleased with it. Heats great on really cold days and I just build smaller fires on days that aren't so cold. The larger firebox lets me have a choice.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

FISHBONZ said:

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Ever burn it with the door open?

Click to expand...

No.

Some here might do that but with all the extra air things would get pretty hot pretty fast and therefore eat up the wood. I would imagine you might get smoke in the room too. Then there is always the possibility of over firing the insert and damaging it and your chimney liner. If you do it - use caution. :ahhh:

THe only time I leave the door open is when I am starting up a new fire and then it is only a crack - just enough air to keep the draft going.

I think you will be very happy you went with the 550 instead of the 450. Especially on days below 30*.

Post pics. when you get it up and running.

Do your break in fires while it is still warm enough to have open windows. It smells a lot.

Get a Rutland thermometer or an infrared therm. so you can keep tabs on temps. Rutland one is a magnetic one and fits in the slot where the blowers blow OUT the hot air on top of the firebox. Readings on the face of the insert are inaccurate as it is a cast iron face mounted on top of the steel firebox and reads about 100* cooler than the actual temp. Top placement sits directly on firebox metal and, therefore, gives a more accurate read.

Make sure you listen to the blowers in each one. I haven't bought yet, but I'm finding there is lots of variation in blower noise. Seems to me the 550 blower was nice and quite, and the 450 a lot noisier.

As much as I like my 450 I would advise going to the 550. I'm only heating about 1400 square feet and the 450 keeps up but I think you'll be asking too much with 2200 sq feet. Also, this may sound like a minor complaint but I am not satisfied with the fan unit on the 450. It is a 2 speed unit, low or high, thats it. The 550 has a variable speed fan which allows you to set it right where you want it. High speed on the 450 is noisy. The low speed setting is fine, except on those 20 degree and below days when you need the extra output. If it weren't for that damn fan arrangement I'd be 100% satisfied.

2 questions
Is it an external chimney?
What is the length of the chimney from top to the aprox. stove top?

Great choice on the insert, I've had my eye on that one for mine. What shape are your flue tiles in? If cracked or poor shape insulation is required. Probably a good idea to insulate it anyways since it's an outside chimney to improve draft.

I don't think you'll have any problems with draft considering you have 20' of chimney. Mine drafts pretty well and I've got about 10 or 11 feet, thats it. Sounds like the dealer is feeding you a line of bs since he claims it would improve your draft. Just make sure they install a block off plate.