Being a skeptic in general and having an analytical personality, I browsed the owners manual for the Heat Commander and I noticed a couple things which potential users will probably want some clarification of, as they were confusing to me.
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The Caddy has a 3.6CF firebox, according to the brochure on your site which I screen captured above. The Heat Commander has the same sized 3.6CF firebox according to the above screen capture of the specs found on Drolet's site. How does one fit more wood into the same sized firebox? Also, the Caddy shows a "maximum burn time" of 15 hours while the HC states 10 hours....for the same sized firebox....??
These are screen shots from the user manual:
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It's a 3.6CF firebox with a max log length of 21" (again, according to the specs found in the manual), however owners manual states you should always keep 4" of airspace in front of the logs. This means cutting wood to 17" max. Then it also states when re-loading on a hot ember bed (a standard re-load during the dead of winter) to place logs N-S and then E-W...with air space between them. This means one will have to have two different lengths of splits, one 17" long for the N-S and another shorter one for the E-W. If one loads a 3.6CF firebox according to how the manuals states, one will be able to fit LESS wood inside than if you would pack it tight. But yet you can "load more wood" into it compared to the Caddy..? Very confusing. Assume one CAN pack all 3.6CF of the HC firebox with wood, why the 5 hour less burn time when comparing it to the Caddy? So, somehow one can load more wood in both 3.6CF fireboxes when the splits being loaded into the HC need to be spaced out vs not spaced out in the Caddy and it burns for less overall time producing "almost identical to the Caddy" heat power. I can see the lower burn times, when loading according to the manual, as one would load less wood into the firebox when abiding by the proper spacing, but then you mention how one can "load more wood into it". The whole thing is kinda confusing as the numbers just don't add up. Can you clarify?
As far as the proper spacing of the wood, most people will not do this, as most people will just throw some splits in the firebox, close the door and walk away. Is this "always" when referenced in the owners manual to the front spacing and spacing of logs in general something that the EPA made you put in the manual? Most people will not abide by the spacing of the logs and even the 4" spacing in front. What would the consequences be of not abiding by these spacing requirements and simply filling the firebox up with ~3.6CF of firewood? Improper or unsafe burn/combustion? Reduced heat output? Furnace damage and consequent warranty denial? This would be very important to me as a consumer to know before purchasing, as there would be no way I would be loading according to the manual.
This is good to hear, however, if I am reading the owners manual correctly, why only a 2 year warranty on the firebox? If this is the case, no offense, this is a joke. Maybe this aligns with industry standards, but it sure seems short.