Jotul C550 Rockland or C450 Kennebec

After looking at both the 450 and 550 when shopping for a new insert I chose the 550 because of it's larger firebox. About the only complaint I have after 2 1/2 years is that the ash lip is insufficient. Why on earth they didn't extend it out is beyond me.

I voted for the rockland and I'm a kennebec owner! I like the flush mount look, big firebox, AND the variable speed fan. I like my 450 but if they were making the rockland 5 years ago i woulda ..........

BeGreen said:

IIRC the 550's firebox is 50% larger than the 450's 2 cu ft. At 3 cu ft., that's not a small difference. If the area where the stove is installed is not closed off and there is the opportunity for decent heat distribution from the stove, then go for the big boy.

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+1

The bigger fire box makes a ton of difference. Overnight burns will be far easier. Kennebec lists 8 hour burns. You will only see that on the shoulder season. The Rockland lists 10 hour burns which will mean you should still see about 8 hours of good burn times during the colder months. The Rockland also excepts 24" splits, which is really nice.

If anyone gets 8 hrs of usable heat from the rockland not in shoulder season, i would also like to see you walk on water. Take that with a grain of salt, I say that with a 25' chimney and 2500 sqft house. The rockland is a good stove, but undersized for my needs. During cold days, I am pumping wood into the stove every 4 hours to keep warm. I would say that the Rockland is probably great for a house no more than 1800 sqft. I bought the Rockland thinking heat wouldnt move upstairs well, and only heat the downstairs. After a winters experience, heat moves very well in my house and I undersized the stove. I've also done some slight mods to increase my burn times. I ground the primary air lever to fully shut off and plugged one of two zipper air holes. This has made a huge difference, going from 4 hours up to 6, maybe 7. These mods are very easy to do if your setup creates to much draft.

So to answer your question, i dont know, but that is my experience with the Rockland. I did walk a guy through my mods who bought a Rockland and already had a Kennebec. he said the Rockland put out more heat, but the Kennebec was easier to operate. Maybe he is talking burn times, but the Rockland can't get much easier than one single lever, left to right, right to left.

1500 sqft would be ideal for that stove. It looks great too, and blower is quiet. Too bad you weren't a little closer to me. I am thinking of selling after my first season and getting a bigger stove. The Rockland is a big stove, but there are a couple out there that are bigger. A little more info for you for your wood supply. I have been burning about 24/7 since halloween, and will probably use 4 1/2 cords after March is over

"Overnight burns will be far easier. Kennebec lists 8 hour burns. You will only see that on the shoulder season."

Browning, what do you mean by this comment? Are you stating that the Kennebec won't do an 8 hour burn in the middle of winter?

We got the 550 and are pleased. For us, the deciding variable was largely what would best fit in our fireplace, and the Rockland had a better fit. I'm happy with this constraint, as the firebox is bigger.