Seeking Solid Stove for Small Space

[waywardsmile]

I'm looking for a stove for a small kitchen/bath space that I am finishing in a detached garage. The space is 12 x 25 (300 square feet). The space will be well insulated (spray foam walls and floor, the ceiling insulation is old fiberglass already). I'm thinking this space might be a little tough to heat due to the size, so my thinking was to find a stove that could light up well and then retain the heat and radiate over a long period of time. Looking to spend under $1500 on the stove. I am drawn to the Quadrafire 2100 Millenium and the Lopi Republic 1250. Someone will be home to stoke nearly all the time (work from home) and our sleeping quarters are in a separate building, so the temperature in this space does not need to be precise, but we will be wandering over to eat breakfast here in the morning so it would be nice if it was warm. The real dilemma seems to be a balance of holding heat for a while but not overheating the space too much. Would like a cooktop and oven space as well. How do these stoves fit, does anyone have opinions or use either and have pointers, and are there others you would suggest for this situation?

As far as retaining heat, I had the thought to build a cob structure around the stove once it is installed and a dome above hopefully to use as an oven. Is there anything I need to be especially aware of? Has anyone done this? Is it absurd?

thanks!
-Anthony

 

[Fsappo]

It's not absurd, it's interesting. If you want some more heat life, you may want to look at this little beauty by Hearthstone:

http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/wood-stoves/stove-details?product_id=4

You can get an actual 5 or 6 hour burn time where there is enough of a coal bed to rekindle a fire. Very even heat. I have sold a few over the years and never had a complaint.

 

[MasterMech]

300 sq ft?! You need a baby stove, the two you mentioned will roast you out of that well-insulated space. I would look for an outside air kit in a space that small too.


Just an example.

http://www.jotul.com/en-US/wwwjotulus/Main-menu/Products/Wood/Wood-stoves/Jotul-F-100-Nordic-QT/

 

[begreen]

Welcome. Instead of doing something that may or may not work well, why not buy a small cooking woodstove for the kitchen area? It will look nicer and will be designed to to the desired task.

Will the space be wide open to the rest of the house? If not, the room may get overheated with even a small stove. 300 sq ft is not a big space. But if you can establish good air circulation with the rest of the house then this should work.

If baking is a prerequisite:

Bakers: http://www.woodstoves.net/newbaker.htm
Nectre Baker's oven: http://www.lehmans.com/store/Stoves..._s_Oven_Wood_Heat_Cook_Stove___17120600?Args=
Kitchen Queen: http://www.woodstoves.net/queen.htm
Vermont Bun Baker: http://www.woodstoves.net/soapstone/vermontbunbaker.htm
or one of the best:
http://www.woodstoves.net/esse/woodcooker.htm

Or for just the cook top a Napoleon 1150 or an Alderlea T4 or T5?
http://www.napoleonfireplaces.com/Stoves/stoves_wood/1150P.html
http://www.pacificenergy.net/alderlea/t4.php

 

[Jags]

I'm with BG on this. Get a cook stove. 300 SQFT isn't much area. If your not cooking, place a few pizza stones in the oven and a big pot of water on the stove for heat retention.

 

[bpm44]

Th Englander 17 vl might be one to look at too. I didn't really have to have another woodstove, but the price was right and I was a bit chilly when we got the below 10 degree temps last winter. Will be starting my install in a few weeks. It should help out the Revere just right.

 

[waywardsmile]

I've looked at the cookstoves but have wondered about their efficiency as well as the space they are rated to heat. It seems like many 'manufacturers' claims the numbers paint very little of the actual picture. Anyone using any of the above stoves? I'd probably be looking at the bakers choice out of them all.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Th Englander 17 vl might be one to look at too. I didn't really have to have another woodstove, but the price was right and I was a bit chilly when we got the below 10 degree temps last winter. Will be starting my install in a few weeks. It should help out the Revere just right.

I agree, if the poster doesn't go with BG's suggestions, the 50tvl17 would work and is very affordable.

$549 with free shipping.
http://overstockstoves.com/50tvl17--epa-certified-noncatalytic-wood-stove--1250171200.html

 

[begreen]

I've looked at the cookstoves but have wondered about their efficiency as well as the space they are rated to heat. It seems like many 'manufacturers' claims the numbers paint very little of the actual picture. Anyone using any of the above stoves? I'd probably be looking at the bakers choice out of them all.

All of these stoves have the potential to overheat a well insulated 300 cu ft space once they are up to temperature. Are you trying to heat more than this area? If yes, how large an area and how will the heat circulate from the new room to the rest of the overall area? For heat output, look mainly at the firebox size. You can heat the space with a small firebox, but you will be refilling it every couple hours or so. If this is a major concern I would move up to the Nectre Bakers Oven.

There are reviews and discussions of many of these stoves in past threads. Search on the stove name. Also, give the shops a call. Obidiah's, Lehman's and Woodman's folks will be helpful here. An important decision will be deciding what is the primary purpose of the stove? Cooking or heating? Many true cookstoves are not EPA stoves and by nature are not going to burn as cleanly or as long. If heating, I would get a good EPA stove with a stovetop that works well for occasional cooking. If cooking, then I would research which stove has the most control and most even oven temps.

PS: Here's an article on the Esse Ironheart, which would be high on my list for cooking. http://www.sustainablelivingmagazin...energy/wood-energy/72-ironheart-cooking-stove

Or, if you just want an inexpensive, basic cookstove, here's another alternative: http://www.transoceanltd.com/appliances/stoves/sheepherd.html