Drolet Blackcomb SHOULD I BUY??

[MINorthwoods]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Drolet Blackcomb model for $300. ($800-900 full price, clearanced for new models)....the firebox- 1.9 - is considerably smaller than what I currently have, but the efficiency and price can't be beat. Heats 850-1600 sq ft, my house is around 1200, open space. Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[begreen]

That's a decent price for sure. What stove do you currently have? It needs sufficient draft. What will it be connected to? It will also want dry wood. Do you have a good supply of fully seasoned firewood for this winter?

 

[MINorthwoods]

That's a decent price for sure. What stove do you currently have? It needs sufficient draft. What will it be connected to? It will also want dry wood. Do you have a good supply of fully seasoned firewood for this winter?

Current model: Tri-Lakes Mfg Co, Hot Springs, AR; photo attached....connected to chimney, have plenty of seasoned wood, cut last fall, mostly beech.

 

[takasaki]

I have the opportunity to purchase a Drolet Blackcomb model for $300. ($800-900 full price, clearanced for new models)....the firebox- 1.9 - is considerably smaller than what I currently have, but the efficiency and price can't be beat. Heats 850-1600 sq ft, my house is around 1200, open space. Any thoughts or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

How much for the Drolet Classic or 1800 on the left?

I have the Drolet adriondack which is similar to the blackcomb. it is a good stove but hard to say if better for you without knowing what your current stove is.

 

[begreen]

Looks a bit like a Fisher Grandma Bear clone. I suspect you would be happier with a 3 cu ft stove. Take a look at the Englander 30-NC and Drolet HT2000. The only issue being your current wood splits may be too long.

You may need to get used to allowing the wood more seasoning time for modern stoves. 2 yrs. is typical for a lot of hardwood species though some like ash will dry in a year.

 

[MINorthwoods]

Looks a bit like a Fisher Grandma Bear clone. I suspect you would be happier with a 3 cu ft stove. Take a look at the Englander 30-NC and Drolet HT2000. The only issue being your current wood splits may be too long.

You may need to get used to allowing the wood more seasoning time for modern stoves. 2 yrs. is typical for a lot of hardwood species though some like ash will dry in a year.

Yes, my current stove is similar to the old Fisher. I've checked the sizing on my current wood splits and they should fit into the smaller Drolet firebox fine. That was a consideration of mine as well. I don't want price to factor too much into my decision, as I want this to be the right stove for my living space, long term. It does have an area on the back, where an optional Drolet blower can be inserted as well. While I love my current stove, I rarely, if ever fill it full and I don't burn through the night. I've been told that it's not very efficient, both due to chimney set-up and age of the stove. Another concern is that these newer stoves all look "flimsy"...not the right word, but not the solid, cast iron beast I have now.

More than anything, I want to ensure that this smaller model will keep things equally as warm as they have been, but do so a bit more efficiently and use less wood. I live in a 2-story cabin, with a open living space to the ceiling. I'll attach a couple of photos, which will show where the stove in relative to the living area.

Good to know that hardwood should season for closer to 2 years...this will be my 3rd winter in a new house, heating with wood, so I'm somewhat new to wood heat in general. I cut and split a year in advance currently.

 

[moresnow]

Nice place! Welcome to the forum. I don't know anything about the Blackcomb model. I can say the Drolet HT2000 is a good performer.

 

[begreen]

Looks like a really nice spot. Running a modern stove will be different than with the old stove. The new stove will be much more efficient and will definitely use less wood. And you will gain a nice fire view. The new stove may not have as thick plate steel as the old stove, but it shouldn't be flimsy. We rarely hear of issues with Drolets. Is there a ceiling fan up in the loft area?

 

[MINorthwoods]

Looks like a really nice spot. Running a modern stove will be different than with the old stove. The new stove will be much more efficient and will definitely use less wood. And you will gain a nice fire view. The new stove may not have as thick plate steel as the old stove, but it shouldn't be flimsy. We rarely hear of issues with Drolets. Is there a ceiling fan up in the loft area?

Thank you. I love it. Been renting for 2 years, and just purchased it over the summer, which is why I'm just now starting to upgrade some things. Correct, there is a ceiling fan in the loft, directly above the living area. The fan will also be upgraded this year. I'm not on the second floor much, other than to sleep. It's warm up there when I head up to bed. I also have a small heater in the bedroom and heated mattress pad, for when things start to cool off during the night, as I don't keep the wood stove going all night.

re: Drolet...yeah, like I said, flimsy wasn't the right word...just not as substantial as my current stove. Good to know they get decent reviews on here. Well, it looks like I'm probably going to get over to the store in the morning to take advantage of this deal.

 

[MINorthwoods]

One additional question: the stove pipe will elbow about 3 feet from the the stove, in order to vent through the chimney. More efficient than my current setup, which has two elbows, but does anyone foresee that being an issue with the Drolet?

 

[moresnow]

One additional question: the stove pipe will elbow about 3 feet from the the stove, in order to vent through the chimney. More efficient than my current setup, which has two elbows, but does anyone foresee that being an issue with the Drolet?

Is your chimney tile lined? Stainless liner? The new stove may be sensitive to a correctly sized liner. As you say you are new to burning have you cleaned it, or had it cleaned? A few more things to think about.

 

[begreen]

One additional question: the stove pipe will elbow about 3 feet from the the stove, in order to vent through the chimney. More efficient than my current setup, which has two elbows, but does anyone foresee that being an issue with the Drolet?

Modern stoves need good draft to perform well. How tall is the chimney? If in doubt it sometimes helps to soften the 90 above the stove by using a pair of 45s with an offset instead.

 

[MINorthwoods]

Is your chimney tile lined? Stainless liner? The new stove may be sensitive to a correctly sized liner. As you say you are new to burning have you cleaned it, or had it cleaned? A few more things to think about.

The chimney is currently tile lined and is due for replacement. Planning to replace with a stainless steel liner around the same time as getting the new stove. I have it cleaned every fall...just had it done for the year last week, which sparked a conversation with my chimney sweep about the amount of creosote and the inefficiency of my current set up, which in turn led me to looking into a new stove.

 

[MINorthwoods]

Modern stoves need good draft to perform well. How tall is the chimney? If in doubt it sometimes helps to soften the 90 above the stove by using a pair of 45s with an offset instead.

Thanks for the feedback...I like the idea of using a pair of 45's vs the 90-degree turn. I'll be sure to discuss with my installer. Chimney is roughly 30' tall. After sleeping on it...and tossing and turning a little too much....I've decided to hold off the the smaller Drolet. I think a larger stove in the better long-term investment, which I plan to purchase in the Spring when the best deals are out there. Thanks again!

 

[begreen]

Thanks for the feedback...I like the idea of using a pair of 45's vs the 90-degree turn. I'll be sure to discuss with my installer. Chimney is roughly 30' tall. After sleeping on it...and tossing and turning a little too much....I've decided to hold off the the smaller Drolet. I think a larger stove in the better long-term investment, which I plan to purchase in the Spring when the best deals are out there. Thanks again!

With a 30' tall chimney I wouldn't worry about the two 90º turns. There will be plenty strong draft and perhaps too much.