Hello all, its been quite a while since I have lurked the boards, but have been happily burning wood since the last visit ;-).... Just wanted your opinion... The wife and I are considering moving.... We have found an amazing 1927 farmhouse on 5 acres at an incredible price... Here is my question.... The farmhouse already has a HUGE Buck Stove (80's era) smoke dragon installed in the masonry fireplace.... I know these things put out major heat, but they are wood eaters big time.... I am thinking of removing it and putting my trusty little Buck 74 in its place... The fireplace opening is large enough that I could put my 74 in there on legs (put a block-off plate in and not worry about the surround) almost like a free stander, giving off more heat than an insert with surround... We heat our 2600sq' Cape Cod exclusively with this little stove, but this farm house is about 3400sq'... What are your thoughts my nice little EPA stove, or the Smoke Dragon??? Seems like a crazy question, but its just a thought.... I'm leaning more towards ditching the smoke dragon and putting in my 74.... Although, I did think about selling them both and getting the new Buck 94NC ;-)...Ohhh, and here is a hearth photo for you....
