Have been using our new Ideal Steel Hybrid since mid-November with lots of down time in December. The recent cold weather has given us more opportunity to burn it constantly and I am very impressed with how little wood is needed to keep our 1400 sg. ft. rancher toasty.
One evening in early Jan. I really loaded it up proper for the first time at 11pm. Got up the next morning @ 6 to 76 degrees in the great room (19 outside), stirred the coals, let it roll for about 15 mins. then re-engaged the cat and backed it all the way down. At 1:30pm I finally added more wood (small load) and it lit up quickly. Put cat online again and did not re-load until 7pm. Never got below 74 inside. 39 was the high for the day
Last night I loaded up @ 3am (lo 25) and added 3 med. splits today at noon. Won't need any more till the sun sets. We are just amazed at how little wood we are using compared to our old Lopi. With the super warm December temps and the incredibly low consumption we will really be able to stretch our wood.
This venue doesn't seem to attract that many IS owners but if you are considering any Woodstock stove - the smaller Franklin is looking very promising – I think they are currently manufacturing some of the best stoves you could buy.
One evening in early Jan. I really loaded it up proper for the first time at 11pm. Got up the next morning @ 6 to 76 degrees in the great room (19 outside), stirred the coals, let it roll for about 15 mins. then re-engaged the cat and backed it all the way down. At 1:30pm I finally added more wood (small load) and it lit up quickly. Put cat online again and did not re-load until 7pm. Never got below 74 inside. 39 was the high for the day
Last night I loaded up @ 3am (lo 25) and added 3 med. splits today at noon. Won't need any more till the sun sets. We are just amazed at how little wood we are using compared to our old Lopi. With the super warm December temps and the incredibly low consumption we will really be able to stretch our wood.
This venue doesn't seem to attract that many IS owners but if you are considering any Woodstock stove - the smaller Franklin is looking very promising – I think they are currently manufacturing some of the best stoves you could buy.