My Jotul will have to be front load only...

[begreen]

It looks like there is plenty of opportunity for good heat circulation there. How high is the ceiling in the living room and is there a ceiling fan? With a little fan assist it looks like there would be a good shot at heating most of the 1st floor. Based on what I see here I would not go under 2 cu ft or you may be buying a larger stove next year. (Don't ask how I know this.)

I'm glad you got a chance to look at the Shelburne. Did you also look at the Manchester?

 

[lumbering on]

Hi Lumbering- The ash buildup from the Oslo is from loading through the sidedoor, the best feature of the stove in most people's opinion. If you use the front door most of the time for reloading, I don't think it would build up as readily. But if you're not utilizing the side load, I'd think the F55 would be a good choice too, with the blower as BG noted. Still long burn times and a big heater. The F45 is a great midsize stove too, a smaller version of the F55, heats about the same area as the Castine. The F55 has an attractive price and a nice handle design too. The one knock (if one thinks its a knock) is that it doesn't fully "look like a Jotul" with an open glass. Interesting to note though, most people have taken to the cleanface version of the Oslo and CB550 Rockland Insert quite nicely. Always the most important thing is good dry seasoned firewood. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

I was recently taking a hard look at the f55 but youre right just not the classic Jotul look. Not bad looking just not classic

 

[lumbering on]

It looks like there is plenty of opportunity for good heat circulation there. How high is the ceiling in the living room and is there a ceiling fan? With a little fan assist it looks like there would be a good shot at heating most of the 1st floor. Based on what I see here I would not go under 2 cu ft or you may be buying a larger stove next year. (Don't ask how I know this.)

I'm glad you got a chance to look at the Shelburne. Did you also look at the Manchester?

manchester looks too tall for my lintel will have to measure again
Old house wih low 8 foot ceilings no room for a ceiling fan

 

[begreen]

No problem, a little assist with a small fan on the floor at the entrance opening, blowing cooler entry air into the room will start a clockwise convection thru the kitchen.

 

[ansehnlich1]

I'm late to the party but there ain't no way I'd use my oslo front door....nuh uh, not happenin'.......in fact, I don't even open the front door all season but maybe one or two times after a cool down to pop off the doghouse cover and graphite the air control handle.

 

[lumbering on]

I'm glad you got a chance to look at the Shelburne. Did you also look at the Manchester?

I know I keep saying Jotul Jotul Jotul but trying to keep an open mind how do you rate the hearthstone cast iron series verses the Jotul?

 

[begreen]

The Shelburne is a beautiful stove and was on my short list. It is a well built stove. I haven't had a chance to see a Manchester yet, but liked the Bennington which was its predecessor.

 

[BrotherBart]

The only reason I didn't buy a Shelburne is that the flue height was just a tad too high for the fireplace I want'ed to put it in.

Happy it didn't happen, being a steel stove guy, but I really liked that stove.

 

[lumbering on]

Is shelburne NOT ember protection only?

On the website its the only hearthstone that lists an R value for the hearth (0.8, which I don't have)

 

[begreen]

Correct it is not. Is this going to be installed on a raised hearth? Can you post a shot of the fireplace? (Note that the stove requires a K value of .84, not R value which is the inverse.)

 

[BucksCounty]

I have the Shelburne and F600. Shelburne is bigger than needed for area heating but I don't think that will do the job for the sq you mentioned. The F600, for me personally, is a pain the arse to front load with the double doors. I only use the side loader and love it. I think partially because ash builds up in front and I am not accustomed to using the front. If you use frequently I'm sure it wont be a problem. Both are great stoves!

 

[lumbering on]

Correct it is not. Is this going to be installed on a raised hearth? Can you post a shot of the fireplace? (Note that the stove requires a K value of .84, not R value which is the inverse.)

Its just a less than one inch slab of bluestone on a bed of mortar on top of the wood subfloor. Definitely an ember protection only setup.

 

[DianeB]

We have a Castine and have no ash problems. We purchased the blue black and it stays very clean. The ash pan works great for us - we never shovel out the stove, but work a rake forcing ash into the ash pan - we empty that every 3 to 4 days. We burn every morning and evening, but are gone during the day so that it usually has to be re-lit at 6pm - we buy the super cedars and they are great for quick re-lighting. For 1,100 feet, the Oslo may be too large and you might find yourself dialing it back and when you do, you will get sooty glass that will have to be cleaned. Make sure you have dry wood - whether the Oslo or Castine, they both need wood less than 20% using a moisture meter on a freshly split piece of wood.

 

[lumbering on]

. For 1,100 feet, the Oslo may be too large and you might find yourself dialing it back and when you do, you will get sooty glass that will have to be cleaned. Make sure you have dry wood - whether the Oslo or Castine, they both need wood less than 20% using a moisture meter on a freshly split piece of wood.

We are leaning more toward the castine at this point. The ash issue is a minor but good point. I think people here are optimistic I can move the air around but many others have real concerns about the Oslo or Manchester overheating the living room. I remember last year from a cold start and 50 degree house, the Leyden after 10 hours had our living room at 85 degrees. That's only half a day with bad wood. That's too hot for us. If I had an open floor plan or bigger living room maybe. But 70 degrees is just fine.

 

[begreen]

You haven't tried the fan trick. It can take an 85F room down to 75F in 30 minutes and help distribute the heat throughout the house. Have to ask though, if the LR was getting hot after 10 hrs, why didn't you let the fire die down and go out around hour 5? You only put in as much wood for heat as you need. If the temps are mild, just burn a partial load of fuel and let the fire go out if necessary.

 

[stovelark]

Hi Lumbering- I'm not a big fan of HS, but I do happen to like the cast side, espec the Shelburne, nice looking stove, very robustly built. Its a nice legitimate foe for the Jotuls, espec the Castine, I think it will do as much or more heating area. At the store though, we are a predominate Jotul dealer, and can sell the Castine for less than the Shelburne, this knocks its popularity down. Percentages normally go to the Jotuls, its just hard to go against them. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever stove you choose.

 

[lumbering on]

You haven't tried the fan trick. It can take an 85F room down to 75F in 30 minutes and help distribute the heat throughout the house. Have to ask though, if the LR was getting hot after 10 hrs, why didn't you let the fire die down and go out around hour 5? You only put in as much wood for heat as you need. If the temps are mild, just burn a partial load of fuel and let the fire go out if necessary.

Honestly was TRYING to heat the whole first floor. (absent any floor fans). Did a bit of experimenting last year.

 

[lumbering on]

Hi Lumbering- I'm not a big fan of HS, but I do happen to like the cast side, espec the Shelburne, nice looking stove, very robustly built. Its a nice legitimate foe for the Jotuls, espec the Castine, I think it will do as much or more heating area. At the store though, we are a predominate Jotul dealer, and can sell the Castine for less than the Shelburne, this knocks its popularity down. Percentages normally go to the Jotuls, its just hard to go against them. I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever stove you choose.

Just learned the shelburne not ember protection only, but it was intriguing for a while there.

 

[begreen]

I think you might be quite delighted with what a basic table fan can do in the right location. Could be worth holding on to the Leyden for another season if this is the only issue.

 

[lumbering on]

I think you might be quite delighted with what a basic table fan can do in the right location. Might be worth holding on to the Leyden for another season if this is the only issue.

Already started shopping for fans. I'm thinking one of the skinny tower fans, placed flush with the doorway.

 

[begreen]

A simple $10.99 table or box fan works great. Run on low speed, placed on the floor, blowing cooler air into the stove room from the area you want to heat. You want something that pulls air from behind it and directs it forward.

 

[lumbering on]

I think you might be quite delighted with what a basic table fan can do in the right location. Could be worth holding on to the Leyden for another season if this is the only issue.

It's not the only issue. Just learned that my dealer, who's store is indefinitely closed due to some alleged legal difficulties, may have been engaging in some not so better business bureau approved business practices. There's some suspicion I was sold a stove with a known defect. Another Lopi dealer says Travis is already aware of this guy and if I call Travis directly, they may try to make things right, at least replace the parts for free so I can get a better price for it if I sell it.

Plus, the whole downdraft style just not working for me.

Now the new can of worms, if Travis offers to replace the stove, would I pick a different Lopi? Endeavor, Republic?

 

[begreen]

Cape Cod.

 

[lumbering on]

Cape Cod.

Yes, but the bypass is pulled out in a 45 degree angle from the rear right corner of the stove a good 6 inches. This will not work with my fireplace. Plus it's like double the price of the leyden. Don't think they are going to be that generous.

 

[lumbering on]

Calling Travis tomorrow. Will update.