Stove recommendations - 1100 sq ft in Vermont

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BeeTee

New Member
Sep 22, 2011
13
Vermont
I am looking for opinions and advice on buying a used stove for use as my primary whole-house heat source.

Here is my situation:
The house is in Vermont and is 1100 sq ft on two floors, one of which is the basement. The stove will be located in the basement which is unfinished concrete floor and walls (possibly to be finished in the future) and also has one exposed, walk-out side. The house is stick frame construction 2x4 walls with fiberglass insulation built 10 years ago. I have sealed as many places for infiltration that were accessible, and there is still some leakage, but not bad at all. Ceilings are 8 ft. Windows are all double glazed with a few exceptions that will be replaced over time. There are currently no registers between floors, but I will cut some as necessary.

The chimney is 6†metalbestos, 20 ft straight run up through the core of the house.

The wood is split, dried, stacked and covered for a year plus.

I am leaning toward the purchase of a steel stove (although would also take ideas for cast iron and soapstone, in the event that a good used one comes up.)

The stove has to have a firebox large enough for overnight burn.
I prefer a stove that can be loaded front to back. (I’d also consider one that has a side loading door, so splits can go straight in.) Prefer simpler, like no ash pan, as I find that just creates more place for future air leakage and most are not designed well. Prefer quality, something that will last with good care. I definitely want a non-cat stove.

Cook top would be a bonus. Future plan includes heating domestic hot water with a coil in the wood stove.

So far I have looked at Quadrafire 3100ACT, but have seen in person and read about the crack problem in the rear manifold in one used stove that was for sale here. I have seen another ad for a 3100F the older model?, approx 1993?, but now I feel like at 20 years old that may not be a wise choice. Any thoughts?

I have heard good things about Regency, but unclear if 1100 or 2400 would be better for my situation. Also they don’t seem to come up for sale often.

I’ve read about cracks with both Lopi and PE.

Are Ashley stoves pre-EPA? I cannot find any data on them.

Any specific makes and models and info or suggestions would be appreciated. It would also help to know which models to avoid, so that I don’t make the kind of mistake I did with the Quad 3100ACT again.
 
You've read about cracks with Lopi? I'd be interesting in seeing the situation. A standard, non-catalytic Lopi or Quadrafire stove is very unlikely to have any cracks or problems unless overfired. They are well made plate steel stoves.

Do you have a budget in mind? Are you definitely going used?
 
Do a search on Quadrafire or a search on Lopi on these forums and you can read what I have. There are at least 6 examples of quadrafire problems with that era stove, although some are with different models.
 
Englander 30, especially with the uninsulated basement.

And welcome. Glad to see that your wood supply is ready.
 
Have to agree. As long as the basement is uninsulated, about 30% of the heat will be warming the outside soil. Put a big 3 cu ft stove in there if there is a good convective path for the heat to get upstairs. And expect a hot basement. There are lots of choices in stoves. Buck, Drolet, Osburn, Drolet, Englander, Napoleon are some options.

Will the stove be centrally located near an open stairway?
 
Welcome to the forum Beetee.

I think perhaps BeGreen's estimate of 30% of your heat going into the walls is perhaps a bit low. Most folks who put stoves in the basement have very poor luck heating anything upstairs from it because the walls and floor takes up too much heat.

In addition, if this is a walk-in basement that won't be too bad but carrying wood down the stairs will get old fast as will carrying ashes up those stairs. Then you also have the problem that the stove will not be located where you can keep an eye on it to know what is happening.
 
Average is 25-35%, I struck for the middle. I am curious about "no heat at all" in the basement yet staying 50F. That is very unusual for VT. Is there a hot water heater, boiler or furnace down there?

Regardless, you can do this with a 2-3 cu ft stove. The extra capacity will take a bit more fire management during shoulder seasons. With a nearby staircase you may not need to cut any holes. A simple table fan, placed at the top of the staircase blowing down into the basement may be all the convection assistance you need.

As for stoves, every stove company at one point or another has a problem. And we mostly hear about problems, not successes here. That is why lots of folks come to the forum in the first place. If you are trying to save a bit, in 2 cu ft look at the PE Super 27 for an affordable stove with good, long burn times. I'd also ask around for a Napoleon 1400 series stove. If you want a bit bigger, then consider an Osburn 2000, Regency 2400 Enviro Kodiak 1700 or Jotul Rangeley.
 
In addition, if this is a walk-in basement that won’t be too bad but carrying wood down the stairs will get old fast as will carrying ashes up those stairs. Then you also have the problem that the stove will not be located where you can keep an eye on it to know what is happening.
This is a walk-in basement. I plan to spend winter evenings in the basement. I also hope to one day finish the floors and walls.

BeGreen said:
Is there a hot water heater, boiler or furnace down there?

Yes, you are quite right, there is an Buderus oil boiler there. That will not be running this winter if I can help it! It is unclear how much this contributes to the downstairs temperature. It appears fairly well insulated.

Thanks for the specific models BeGreen, I will look into them.
 
Beetee, if you do go with the upstairs install (best) you may have to keep close watch on water lines downstairs. I doubt it will stay 50 during winter months.
 
+1. If the boiler doesn't also supply domestic hot water, you'll want to cycle it regularly during very cold weather to avoid pipe freezing.
 
I also live in Vermont and My basement this warmer week in the connecticut river valley is 70. Last winter when it hit 10 to 20 below for a couple of weeks it never got below 55.During that time I heated upstairs with a pellet stove at the time and only in January set the temp in far bedroom to 62 on wall. The propane wouLd cycle on about 4 or 5 times an hour for a few minuetes. This year we have a fireview where the pellet was and have the room thermostat set at 55, where it will stay come hell or high water and we have had a lot of both here in vermont lately. I have lived at this hs for over 20 years and the basement has never been below 55. I might however feel 55 , seventy feet away from my fireview which is on other at of hs. Our house is a long ranch about 1650sf upstairs.
 
That is similar to my experience in Northern Vermont, only heating an old house with a wood stove on the first floor, basement stayed 36 to 40* all winter except for a few nights that outside temps went down to 30 below (then basement would go to 31 or so). It made a great root cellar.

In this new modern house, (now in S. VT) I will definitely put the stove in the basement. I am not sure if I was clear enough that house is small, 550 sq ft on first floor and 550 sq ft in basement. That's it. I think a stove on first would blast me out....and I would still have a 50* basement. I want to use that space in the basement.

I am curious what manufacture's steel stoves people like. I have been looking at Drolet and England Stove Works, and they both have stove with an ash drawer with no door. Never seen that before. Doesn't that let in uncontrolled air?
 
Sounds like you will do fine with a good 2 cu ft stove. In steel, the Lopi Endeavor (or Avalon Rainier), PE Super27, Regency 2400, Napoleon 1400 or 1450, Englander 13NC, Drolet Eastwood, Quad 3100, are good stoves. But I would also give the Woodstock Keystone a close consideration.
 
Thanks, BeGreen. I think 2 cu ft. is what I need also...anything smaller and I don't know if I could get an overnight burn.

What's up with Lopi and Avalon? Are they the same company?

The Woodstock Keystone is a nice stove, but it looks like it takes a 7" flue. I've got a 6...Also the back clearance is 15" with a heat shield.
 
Yes, Lopi and Avalon are brother and sister, both made by Travis Industries in Mulkilteo, WA.
 
Beetee said:
Thanks, BeGreen. I think 2 cu ft. is what I need also...anything smaller and I don't know if I could get an overnight burn.

What's up with Lopi and Avalon? Are they the same company?

The Woodstock Keystone is a nice stove, but it looks like it takes a 7" flue. I've got a 6...Also the back clearance is 15" with a heat shield.
Woodstock allows a 6' in. flue and yes, their rear clearances are ridiculous.

I'd take a look at the Osburn 2000 and the Enviro 1700. These stoves are both about 2.5 cuft firebox and will easily get you overnight burns. Osburn has top notch customer service. Drolet, Osburn, and Enerzone are all made by SBI. They are good stoves. Fyrebug is a member here who works for SBI and has assisted SBI stove owners with general info and warranty issues.
 
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