Hi All:
First off, I'm new to the site...so "howdy!".
I've been a casual reader over the years, and am now in need of some advice.
I currently run a VC Resolute Acclaim from the early 80's. Been a great stove for the 8 years I have owned it...but it is now going to require some serious work, and I'm thinking about upgrading.
I burn about 1-2cords per season (weekend burner, and when I'm working from home)....to help supplement our hot forced air propane furnace. Our home is an 8yr old colonial with a center chimney. See pic.
The Stove is in the fireplace facing the gathering room.
The VC is connected to 35' of one piece metal liner...and I've never had a problem with backpuffing on my VC. If I pack the box at midnight, and turn it way down, i will have some coals at 6am...but not many. Id really like to a good 8 hrs. I use one of those thermoelectic fans to help circulate the air.
I've thinking of the following stoves (1.7-2.0 cu ft box) as possible candidates.
-VC Encore 2 in 1
-Hearthstone Shelburne
-Jotul F500
-Lopi Leyden
-Harman Oakwood (a bit big...and "fragile" fire dome?)
I really, really like the top load feature of my VC, and if it weren't for all the bad reports about VC quality, etc....I'd probably get another.
The Mrs. does not want a steel plate stove...so either Cast, or cast sleve over steel box are the only options.
So now I'm thinking the Lopi. I like its 2.0ft box, and long burn times. I've read about how the Lopi can be difficult to run because of its different secondary burn technology...but my VC sounds very similar..
i.e Main bypass lever + 1 lever for the amount for air control.
Thus, given my experience with these kind of stoves, and my like for top loaders, is there any reason I SHOULD NOT get the Lopi?
Many thanks in advance!
Doug
First off, I'm new to the site...so "howdy!".
I've been a casual reader over the years, and am now in need of some advice.
I currently run a VC Resolute Acclaim from the early 80's. Been a great stove for the 8 years I have owned it...but it is now going to require some serious work, and I'm thinking about upgrading.
I burn about 1-2cords per season (weekend burner, and when I'm working from home)....to help supplement our hot forced air propane furnace. Our home is an 8yr old colonial with a center chimney. See pic.
The Stove is in the fireplace facing the gathering room.
The VC is connected to 35' of one piece metal liner...and I've never had a problem with backpuffing on my VC. If I pack the box at midnight, and turn it way down, i will have some coals at 6am...but not many. Id really like to a good 8 hrs. I use one of those thermoelectic fans to help circulate the air.
I've thinking of the following stoves (1.7-2.0 cu ft box) as possible candidates.
-VC Encore 2 in 1
-Hearthstone Shelburne
-Jotul F500
-Lopi Leyden
-Harman Oakwood (a bit big...and "fragile" fire dome?)
I really, really like the top load feature of my VC, and if it weren't for all the bad reports about VC quality, etc....I'd probably get another.
The Mrs. does not want a steel plate stove...so either Cast, or cast sleve over steel box are the only options.
So now I'm thinking the Lopi. I like its 2.0ft box, and long burn times. I've read about how the Lopi can be difficult to run because of its different secondary burn technology...but my VC sounds very similar..
i.e Main bypass lever + 1 lever for the amount for air control.
Thus, given my experience with these kind of stoves, and my like for top loaders, is there any reason I SHOULD NOT get the Lopi?
Many thanks in advance!
Doug