I'm thinking of purchasing my first wood stove, an insert, and have until year-end to capture a rather significant state tax credit of about $1,300. After reading this site for weeks I suppose I am vacillating toward a cat model. Purpose is to heat a 2-story, 2600 square foot home of modern construction with higher than average ceilings. Cubic foot equivalent is 2,800 to 2,900. Oregon is temperate with an average December-to-February low temp of about 33-degrees, with occasional drops to 10 to 20 degrees for a week or two.
I think the Kuma Sequoia will fit in my masonry firebox and am attracted by the natural convection of the Sequoia, but am worried it will overpower my primary living space--the family room/kitchen in which it is installed. Cat owners and Sequoia users, is it wise to buy a stove that is the equivalent of a big block Chevy and run it in first or second gear at lower outputs much of the time? What is lost, anything?
Jason at Kuma has been very helpful. I am mindful that Jason has probably been more encouraging toward the smaller (non-cat) Ashwood insert, although when I spoke with Jason I was probably leaning more toward non-cat models. Oregon's coastal temperatures do not really justify the 3.5 cubic foot Sequoia.
The BK Princess insert is also on my list. I guess I prefer the design/appearance of the Sequoia, but recognize the Princess is perhaps sized for my house better and has a great rep. I'm not sure if the Princess' sizing really matters versus the over-sized Sequoia.
Would really love to hear from Kuma Sequoia or Ashwood owners, or Princess owners. Feel free to disabuse me of considering cat models, if you have conviction I'm thinking wrongly. My experience with wood stoves is limited to several decades of elk hunting out of wall tents.
Worried that the Sequoia might be too much for my house. Mindful that the BK Princess is regarded by many to have a noisy blower (hence the quiet Kuma convection). Your thoughts?
I think the Kuma Sequoia will fit in my masonry firebox and am attracted by the natural convection of the Sequoia, but am worried it will overpower my primary living space--the family room/kitchen in which it is installed. Cat owners and Sequoia users, is it wise to buy a stove that is the equivalent of a big block Chevy and run it in first or second gear at lower outputs much of the time? What is lost, anything?
Jason at Kuma has been very helpful. I am mindful that Jason has probably been more encouraging toward the smaller (non-cat) Ashwood insert, although when I spoke with Jason I was probably leaning more toward non-cat models. Oregon's coastal temperatures do not really justify the 3.5 cubic foot Sequoia.
The BK Princess insert is also on my list. I guess I prefer the design/appearance of the Sequoia, but recognize the Princess is perhaps sized for my house better and has a great rep. I'm not sure if the Princess' sizing really matters versus the over-sized Sequoia.
Would really love to hear from Kuma Sequoia or Ashwood owners, or Princess owners. Feel free to disabuse me of considering cat models, if you have conviction I'm thinking wrongly. My experience with wood stoves is limited to several decades of elk hunting out of wall tents.
Worried that the Sequoia might be too much for my house. Mindful that the BK Princess is regarded by many to have a noisy blower (hence the quiet Kuma convection). Your thoughts?
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