Finally got a chance to run the Fireview for a while over the break. Some random observations:
1. No draft issues with my direct-connect to an 8" AC chimney, unless you count the initial startup. But the stove and the rest of the house were 25 degrees at that point, and 8 degrees outside. Not ideal.
2. It did at least as well as I expected at heating the whole house (a well sealed and insulated 2000 sqft, but a volume closer to 2600 or so). Which is to say, the main open area was toasty with the back rooms cooler but livable. Burned very little propane after the first night. Because it's somewhat undersized and the temps were usually low I rarely ran the stove on low. Almost always had decent primary flame, and when I was home I reloaded fairly often. Still burned a whole lot less wood than last year.
3. The stove really likes to cruise at 500 (stovetop). I pushed it as high as 650, but that took a lot more air. Unlike my steel stoves you have lots of time after the flames die down to reload and keep the temp up around 500. The extra heat storage really helps keep a consistent output.
4. Even after 12 hours I could always open up the air and damper, toss in full-size splits, and have a roaring fire almost immediately. The stovetop would read about 200, but the firebox was still quite hot w/ plenty of coals. Probably the most impressive aspect of the soapstone. My Ultima would require kindling and maybe newspaper after that long.
5. Temp of stovepipe about 1' back was 350 under full burn when the stovetop was around 550. Much cooler than my Napoleon at that distance.
6. Never did empty ashes but it needed it after 10 days.
7. It's a lot easier to burn down coals in a side loader, since you can just shove them all up to the front without spillage.
8. I do wish the door opening was a little bigger and a little more regular-shaped. Large splits were hard to maneuver in there. I may have to start splitting smaller. I also wish the door handle was insulated.
9. I have no idea why a bottom heat shield is needed, it was always cool to the touch.
Anyway, I was suitably impressed and now just wish I had that stove in my primary residence.
1. No draft issues with my direct-connect to an 8" AC chimney, unless you count the initial startup. But the stove and the rest of the house were 25 degrees at that point, and 8 degrees outside. Not ideal.
2. It did at least as well as I expected at heating the whole house (a well sealed and insulated 2000 sqft, but a volume closer to 2600 or so). Which is to say, the main open area was toasty with the back rooms cooler but livable. Burned very little propane after the first night. Because it's somewhat undersized and the temps were usually low I rarely ran the stove on low. Almost always had decent primary flame, and when I was home I reloaded fairly often. Still burned a whole lot less wood than last year.
3. The stove really likes to cruise at 500 (stovetop). I pushed it as high as 650, but that took a lot more air. Unlike my steel stoves you have lots of time after the flames die down to reload and keep the temp up around 500. The extra heat storage really helps keep a consistent output.
4. Even after 12 hours I could always open up the air and damper, toss in full-size splits, and have a roaring fire almost immediately. The stovetop would read about 200, but the firebox was still quite hot w/ plenty of coals. Probably the most impressive aspect of the soapstone. My Ultima would require kindling and maybe newspaper after that long.
5. Temp of stovepipe about 1' back was 350 under full burn when the stovetop was around 550. Much cooler than my Napoleon at that distance.
6. Never did empty ashes but it needed it after 10 days.
7. It's a lot easier to burn down coals in a side loader, since you can just shove them all up to the front without spillage.
8. I do wish the door opening was a little bigger and a little more regular-shaped. Large splits were hard to maneuver in there. I may have to start splitting smaller. I also wish the door handle was insulated.
9. I have no idea why a bottom heat shield is needed, it was always cool to the touch.
Anyway, I was suitably impressed and now just wish I had that stove in my primary residence.
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