Just wanted to check in to say that (thanks to a good bit of guidance from this forum) we've finally been able to light our new Englander NCH-30 this weekend. It's probably a bit premature, because we're going to have to move the stove to complete the hearth, but that is at least a week away and i couldn't stand the though of not firing it up.
Given that the stove is in the basement of our ranch home, and that the basement has essentially bare concrete walls and floors (another winter project), and that some folks haven't had much luck with this setup, I was tempering my expectations with a dose of reality. Imagine my pleasant surprise, then, to see that the stove is more than capable of keeping our new, 2200 sq ft home in the 70's on a cool night. This shot is while things are still warming up after being away all day today...i've seen it as high as 74.
As the outdoor temps are leaving heat pump range and moving into propane territory, it is a huge relief to have this much success while i'm still just basically learning how to operate the unit. Being raised on an old version of the Jotul F 118 with the spinner on the front, this big square firebox is a bit foreign. And i've got a good case of what i'll call 'Englander knuckles', where i keep sizzling my skin on those steel tubes at the top of the firebox. But that said, the stove has been very manageable and easy on a rookie like me. The heat is great, and that big glass on the front gives you a great show and a blast of IR that soaks right in.
This is a quick shot of the setup, the hearth is just roughed in and will be topped with 2 1/4" limestone and wrapped with a stone veneer. The stone veneer will probably go halfway up the wall behind the stove as well.
Pot shots at the horrible mortar work welcome. haha
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help. I'm sure the questions will keep rolling, and hopefully i'll start gaining some experience to pay forward to the next wave of rookies like me.
So, thanks again everyone. I'm going to head back downstairs and enjoy the show.
Given that the stove is in the basement of our ranch home, and that the basement has essentially bare concrete walls and floors (another winter project), and that some folks haven't had much luck with this setup, I was tempering my expectations with a dose of reality. Imagine my pleasant surprise, then, to see that the stove is more than capable of keeping our new, 2200 sq ft home in the 70's on a cool night. This shot is while things are still warming up after being away all day today...i've seen it as high as 74.
As the outdoor temps are leaving heat pump range and moving into propane territory, it is a huge relief to have this much success while i'm still just basically learning how to operate the unit. Being raised on an old version of the Jotul F 118 with the spinner on the front, this big square firebox is a bit foreign. And i've got a good case of what i'll call 'Englander knuckles', where i keep sizzling my skin on those steel tubes at the top of the firebox. But that said, the stove has been very manageable and easy on a rookie like me. The heat is great, and that big glass on the front gives you a great show and a blast of IR that soaks right in.
This is a quick shot of the setup, the hearth is just roughed in and will be topped with 2 1/4" limestone and wrapped with a stone veneer. The stone veneer will probably go halfway up the wall behind the stove as well.
Pot shots at the horrible mortar work welcome. haha
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for everyone's help. I'm sure the questions will keep rolling, and hopefully i'll start gaining some experience to pay forward to the next wave of rookies like me.
So, thanks again everyone. I'm going to head back downstairs and enjoy the show.
