Searching for stoves as main heating system

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I would lean toward the PE Fusion or maybe the Blaze King Chinook 30 on the main floor. 2nd floor stove can be for ambiance. Rais makes nice stoves, or go for a Wittus TwinFire to blow away company.
 
Do you care for the look of a Lopi Cape Cod? http://www.lopistoves.com/product-detail.aspx?model=364

One of these stoves would keep your house warm. I'd vote that or a woodstock http://www.woodstove.com/progress-hybrid
or a Blaze King Chinook. The chinook would provide the best control for low output days but the others may produce slightly more heat on the really cold days. Maybe only the chinook suits the style you are looking for but the other two look great, just with a different style.
 
Knowing your layout and size, your not going to want 2 stoves. First, it will be a lot of work loading and running two stoves all the time. Second, with the stairway to the 2nd floor being directly in front of the 1st floor stove, the 2nd floor is going to be baking. I can't see you needing another stove for heat up there. Possibly something really small in that back bedroom on the 2nd floor, more for ambiance and heat supplement on only really cold days.

But if you put a 2 or 3 cu ft stove on that fist floor, you should be able to heat the whole house. The issue I see is if you will make the front room on 2nd floor with the view, the main living area you spend the most time in, your going to want the stove up there for ambiance up there as mine is. But then you won't have much heat on 1st floor.
 
but am interested in going as far away from oil/electric heat as possible. my cape cod 2 storey house (2 floors x 900sf=1800sf total with 7'/8' ceiling heights and open stair connecting the 2 floors)
It sounds like a match made in heaven! You want to heat with mainly wood and it's a cape cod style house. A Cape Cod from Lopi would do great!
Not sure if it's the style that you are looking for, but it would heat the place nicely.

The problem with the small stoves that you have mentioned is that you are so limited on the length of log that can be used. Even if they are capable of heating the space, you will be frustrated with the small firebox. You will need to stay in the 3 cubic foot range. The Cape Cod, Blaze King or the PE Fusion would be my vote. In that order.
 
Those once in a hundred years storms seems to be happening as regular as those once in a hundred year floods of late,about once or twice every ten years.

Tell me about it. We got flooded twice where I live...once in '11, then again last week.
 
The Blaze King Chinook 30 may be a good fit DL, check that one out. Blaze king is known for the longest burn times in the industry. However, on those l-o-n-g burns, you will not have a flame or nice fire display for ambiance. It is more of a smoldering fire I was telling you about. But for heat, that would be great for that house. The Chinook isn't ultra modern, but it does have a modern look to it.

blaze%20king%20chinook%20missouri%20hechler.jpg



All of the below are made by SBI (Stove Builders International) up in Canada. I looked at the Enerzone because there is a dealer right next to my office. They do look well built, very thick steel is used (and advertised). But I did not like the burn times, they seem to be more designed to blast heat fast, and burn alot of wood.
- Osburn
- Drolet
- PSG
- Enerzone
- Valcourt
- Century Heating


.

What is the usable heat output on a super long burn though. I like the idea, but if the stove is cooler burning, I'm getting cold?
 
What is the usable heat output on a super long burn though. I like the idea, but if the stove is cooler burning, I'm getting cold?

That's why I don't like them, but would be good for the off seasons...
 
What is the usable heat output on a super long burn though. I like the idea, but if the stove is cooler burning, I'm getting cold?
You will not be cold with a Blaze King!!!! I'm not sure where this misconception came from? They are able to run low and slow, but when you need the heat, they bring it! Big time!
 
I would lean toward the PE Fusion or maybe the Blaze King Chinook 30 on the main floor. 2nd floor stove can be for ambiance. Rais makes nice stoves, or go for a Wittus TwinFire to blow away company.
thanks - yes, sounds like they are the main contenders. twin fire is blowing me away!
 
Seems one stove on the main floor with at least a 2.0 cu. ft. firebox would be adequate but you could go up to 3.0 cu. ft. if desired. Look for a stove that will go overnight. I go 10-12 hrs. with the T-5 which is a 2.0 cu. ft. stove and the Fusion should do the same. I can't speak for the other stoves but there are many good stoves to choose from. I suggest you get your wood supply now, cut, split and stacked off the ground and in the wind.. Get ash, cherry and maple and you might be able to get by for next year but you need to do this ASAP..

Good Luck!
Ray
thanks! a neighbor of mine just gave me her wood which has been stacked (but uncovered) for the last 3 years. hope that will get me started.
 
Knowing your layout and size, your not going to want 2 stoves. First, it will be a lot of work loading and running two stoves all the time. Second, with the stairway to the 2nd floor being directly in front of the 1st floor stove, the 2nd floor is going to be baking. I can't see you needing another stove for heat up there. Possibly something really small in that back bedroom on the 2nd floor, more for ambiance and heat supplement on only really cold days.

But if you put a 2 or 3 cu ft stove on that fist floor, you should be able to heat the whole house. The issue I see is if you will make the front room on 2nd floor with the view, the main living area you spend the most time in, your going to want the stove up there for ambiance up there as mine is. But then you won't have much heat on 1st floor.
hey "Machria", yes you've identified the issue. sounds like i just need one stove (2-3 cu ft) (fusion, chinook or twin fire) - thermally best, on the ground floor. visually best on the second floor. wish i could have it both ways:
1 recirculating the air with fans? or
2 just place the stove centrally on the ground floor (near the stair) and a ecosmart mix 600 (ethanol fueled) on the second floor in front of the view
what do you think?
 
It sounds like a match made in heaven! You want to heat with mainly wood and it's a cape cod style house. A Cape Cod from Lopi would do great!
Not sure if it's the style that you are looking for, but it would heat the place nicely.

The problem with the small stoves that you have mentioned is that you are so limited on the length of log that can be used. Even if they are capable of heating the space, you will be frustrated with the small firebox. You will need to stay in the 3 cubic foot range. The Cape Cod, Blaze King or the PE Fusion would be my vote. In that order.
thanks- i'm tending to the blaze king or pe fusion. the cape cod has a good match in name, but i just realized i'm hooked on a more clean modern stove.
 
so it's either the pe fusion, chinook or twinfire (need to price it)

one other option is the bosca limit 450. i like the looks but haven't seen many reviews though. firebox is over 2cu ft. any opinions?
 
Check out the harman website. I have 3 different model stoves(iN different locations)including the famous NC-30 Englander but none comes close to the heat output and long burn times of the harman.TL-300. Once you throw in the ability to cook INSIDE it as well as outside it,the massive fire viewing window,and the ability to use it as an open flame fireplace (with a handy spark screen accessory) ITs in a class of its own
 
Check out the harman website. I have 3 different model stoves(iN different locations)including the famous NC-30 Englander but none comes close to the heat output and long burn times of the harman.TL-300. Once you throw in the ability to cook INSIDE it as well as outside it,the massive fire viewing window,and the ability to use it as an open flame fireplace (with a handy spark screen accessory) ITs in a class of its own
i like the features to be sure, but i'm looking for more a more modern clean look
 
i like the features to be sure, but i'm looking for more a more modern clean look
I guess its just me but i think the harman is one of the more attractive stoves ,certainly much higher off the floor then some,iv had to put all of my other stoves on a 16" cement platform just to get them off the floor,but the harman is just the right height and has the largest fire view by a mile. I do like that wittus twin fire ,but its not for a large space and the price tag is another story. Perhaps on day ill put one in my companies office suite. That way i can get the tax benefit as well.
 
thanks! a neighbor of mine just gave me her wood which has been stacked (but uncovered) for the last 3 years. hope that will get me started.
Absolutely just get it top covered sometime in September.. :)

Ray
 
Since this is primary heat source, that has to be the main focus. Put the stove of choice down stairs that is sized to heat when cranked up then get 4 more cord CSS; buy "seasoned" and let it sit until October 2014. Now if you want ambiance, add a small gas or LPG stove upstairs later.
 
2 just place the stove centrally on the ground floor (near the stair) and a ecosmart mix 600 (ethanol fueled) on the second floor in front of the view what do you think?​

Sounds perfect to me....!

a neighbor of mine just gave me her wood which has been stacked (but uncovered) for the last 3 years. hope that will get me started.​

Which neighbor was that?
 
All of the below are made by SBI (Stove Builders International) up in Canada. I looked at the Enerzone because there is a dealer right next to my office. They do look well built, very thick steel is used (and advertised). But I did not like the burn times, they seem to be more designed to blast heat fast, and burn alot of wood.
- Osburn
- Drolet
- PSG
- Enerzone
- Valcourt
- Century Heating.

Please keep in mind "Burn Times" are not subject to any standards, certifications or verification. It's a marketing tools used by MFG's and if you use it as such you are less likely to be disappointed.

You can do a search on Hearth.com since there are many posts about this. But suffice it to say there are no agreed upon definition for 'burn times'. You would also have to specify a species of wood etc...

Like all manufacturers, we do not design stoves " to blast heat fast, and burn alot of wood." o_O Some MFG's will list burn times on a 3 Cu Ft at 12, 18 or 20 hours or more (non-cat) !!!:eek:

The brands listed above are not likely to have any better or worse burning times as all the non-cats on the market. The best way to find out is asking other users here on Hearth.com for any of the models you are contemplating.

For our part, we'd rather be on the conservative side and post 'burn times' that are reasonable.

Caveat Emptor! Buyer beware...
 
Look at it in person. The last Bosca I looked at seemed like a step down in quality from stouter competition from Drolet, Englander, PE True North, etc.. The door seemed particularly thin. At 233# dripping wet it is fairly light.
 
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Wow 233 lbs. I didn't see that !?!? I could throw that stove lol.. I would look for something more substantial too.. I noticed the warranty was OK but not great too..

Ray
 
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