So.... I moved last spring and brought my old stove with me, an old Jotul 8. I was told by the person who I had look at it to do some repairs that it is well past its useful lifespan and needs to be euthanized (ie: it would cost more to fix than it's worth...)
So I am unhappily in the position of needing to buy a new stove. The house I bought has a stove in place, but it is a Jotul f100 and way too small (and there is no way I am going to buy 12" cordwood.)
The house is a ranch (single story) about 1700 sq. ft. but spread out so that it will not be easy to heat the bedrooms with the stove. I know I will still be burning oil, but want the stove to do a good share of the work heating this home. It will be placed at an existing fireplace, but for several reasons I've decided to go with a free-standing stove rather than an insert (feel free to change my mind on that.)
The repair guy did give me some advice: Get either a Jotul 500 Oslo or go with a Pacific Energy. He spoke very highly of the PEs, calling them bombproof (as in he never gets called to repair them.)
Well... after visiting several dealers (one of which told me point-blank that I have to use an insert if there is an existing fireplace, due to clearances etc), I pretty much decided on the PE Super 27. When I went back to the PE dealer he told me that I couldn't install that in a fireplace since it has only a top flue and would be too difficult to install and that I had to go with a cast iron stove or with an insert (the other guy at the same store told me completely different information!) Oh and by the way, they can't possibly deliver it till at least January (he was definitely not trying very hard to sell me a stove!)
Is this true? I like the PE for its simplicity, price, and good reviews.
Now I've looked at two more dealers and am impressed with what I've read about the Harmans (do they really get 17 hr burn times??? Is that even possible?) The repair guy is pushing the Jotul...
So here are my questions: Should I really not put a steel stove in a fireplace installation?
Harman vs. Jotul....The Jotul has side loading, but the Harman also has a top load feature.
Many thanks for any input!
So I am unhappily in the position of needing to buy a new stove. The house I bought has a stove in place, but it is a Jotul f100 and way too small (and there is no way I am going to buy 12" cordwood.)
The house is a ranch (single story) about 1700 sq. ft. but spread out so that it will not be easy to heat the bedrooms with the stove. I know I will still be burning oil, but want the stove to do a good share of the work heating this home. It will be placed at an existing fireplace, but for several reasons I've decided to go with a free-standing stove rather than an insert (feel free to change my mind on that.)
The repair guy did give me some advice: Get either a Jotul 500 Oslo or go with a Pacific Energy. He spoke very highly of the PEs, calling them bombproof (as in he never gets called to repair them.)
Well... after visiting several dealers (one of which told me point-blank that I have to use an insert if there is an existing fireplace, due to clearances etc), I pretty much decided on the PE Super 27. When I went back to the PE dealer he told me that I couldn't install that in a fireplace since it has only a top flue and would be too difficult to install and that I had to go with a cast iron stove or with an insert (the other guy at the same store told me completely different information!) Oh and by the way, they can't possibly deliver it till at least January (he was definitely not trying very hard to sell me a stove!)
Is this true? I like the PE for its simplicity, price, and good reviews.
Now I've looked at two more dealers and am impressed with what I've read about the Harmans (do they really get 17 hr burn times??? Is that even possible?) The repair guy is pushing the Jotul...
So here are my questions: Should I really not put a steel stove in a fireplace installation?
Harman vs. Jotul....The Jotul has side loading, but the Harman also has a top load feature.
Many thanks for any input!
