Help finding new stove

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Status
Not open for further replies.

BucksCounty

Feeling the Heat
Jan 11, 2009
286
Southeast PA
Been away from hearth for a while. Good to be back.

Looking for a new stove for a cabin we are buying. It is 1000sf and insulation is not great. The boss likes the cast iron look (we have a jotul f600 and hearthstone shelburne). I think we need a steel stove in order to heat the place quickly if we are getting to the place on a Friday night and it's 10 degrees outside and we have little kids. I'm also trying to find a stove that does not have a large depth because space is limited. It will be a through wall install. I really like the hearthstone homestead at only 19" deep but the soapstone is gonna take a while to get going, and it's a bit pricey. Any direction and suggestions would be appreciated!
 
Get one with a steel box & cast iron on the outside.
Alderlea is one example -- am sure their are several other good choices.
 
Nah, get an oversized steel box. a cast iron jacket stove is great for 24/7 heating but this is just a weekender. The stove going to have its work cut out for it. Raising temps for the entire space is going to require some horsepower. Suggest the Englander 30NC or Drolet HT2000.
 
Nah, get an oversized steel box. a cast iron jacket stove is great for 24/7 heating but this is just a weekender. The stove going to have its work cut out for it. Raising temps for the entire space is going to require some horsepower. Suggest the Englander 30NC or Drolet HT2000.
Pragmatically correct.
I was just trying to go with a compromise in order to please both "the boss" (cast iron) & the OP (steel). He might have a "hard sell" with those plain shop stove type looks. The cast iron shell will certainly put out heat lots faster than a soapstone unit.
 
My Madison does a great job putting out the heat fast and is cast in appearance. Plus it has one of the largest windows I've ever seen!

Another plus is the low clearance requirement. She also comes with a blower if needed too :)


I'm heating a 1024 Sq ft 2 level townhouse without any issues

6086f19530dcaf4a0e4f3bb993cb3075.jpg

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
Wayne.nestor

Safety Note:

Is that piece of furniture getting a little hot that close to the stove?

188244-cb78677f6b8334527f04ed749692abfa.jpg
 
Wayne.nestor

Safety Note:

Is that piece of furniture getting a little hot that close to the stove?

View attachment 188227
No. It is only barely warm to The touch when a 500 degree fire is going. Most of the heat comes from the top and front. There's a metal shield on the sides that overlays the box. The shield is for the blower so it can maximize the warm air between the shield and the fire box. The couch is the minimum recommended for combustibles as well. The spot gets very warm sitting there but it's not scorching. I'd like to move it more but there isn't any room to lol.


Oh and I also think that metal gate I have wrapping around the wood stove is deflecting some of the heat as alwell. Like I said, the material is warm to the touch but not hot. It's similar to pulling a fresh load of laundry from my gas dryer with it on medium heat ( for reference )


e025be01b7882d0ac8fa3c4efdb872cf.jpg

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
Nah, get an oversized steel box. a cast iron jacket stove is great for 24/7 heating but this is just a weekender. The stove going to have its work cut out for it. Raising temps for the entire space is going to require some horsepower. Suggest the Englander 30NC or Drolet HT2000.

I second the NC30. Heats our upstairs (1100 sq ft), in a decently insulated house, at 8,400ft in CO, easily, quickly, efficiently and inexpensively. One concern though is that it's quite deep but it comes from the factory with a rear heat shield (8" clearance). This is our second NC30, sold the last one with the house. Great stove, unbeatable at that pricepoint.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WayneN
If clearances are close or if the hearth is not robust (the 30NC needs an R=1.5 hearth) then getting the bigger brother of wayne's stove would be an alternative. This is the Englander 50-SSW02 also sold under the Summer's Heat brand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: WayneN
No mention of Woodstock Ideal Steel or Absolute. Maybe wouldn't fit the steel bill that you want.
 
If clearances are close or if the hearth is not robust (the 30NC needs an R=1.5 hearth) then getting the bigger brother of wayne's stove would be an alternative. This is the Englander 50-SSW02 also sold under the Summer's Heat brand.
I've heard good things about the 50-SSW02. I'm only heating 1024 Sq foot so anything bigger for me would be overkill. The 15-SSW01 puts out awesome heat so far for my place

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
I have the summer's heat 50ssw02 model. Be prepared to swap the 3/4" stove gasket for a 1" to seal the door properly. That is unless they figured out there is too much clearance between the frame and the door which makes a very large air gap. We actually saw fire between the gasket and frame. Not sure how it could have gotten EPA certification that way. I ranted on a lowes.com review as well.

So if you're willing to make a simple 30 dollar modification, it's not a bad stove. You would probably be better off with the "madison" model which is smaller, heats a smaller area, has adjustable hinges and is cheaper anyway.

Here's a video of the original gap:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bq9nd0lep9fu8ip/20160207_085056.mp4?dl=0
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: WayneN
I have the summer's heat 50ssw02 model. Be prepared to swap the 3/4" stove gasket for a 1" to seal the door properly. That is unless they figured out there is too much clearance between the frame and the door which makes a very large air gap. We actually saw fire between the gasket and frame. Not sure how it could have gotten EPA certification that way. I ranted on a lowes.com review as well.

So if you're willing to make a simple 30 dollar modification, it's not a bad stove. You would probably be better off with the "madison" model which is smaller, heats a smaller area, has adjustable hinges and is cheaper anyway.

Here's a video of the original gap:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bq9nd0lep9fu8ip/20160207_085056.mp4?dl=0
I do love my Madison lol

The secondary burn is awesome. Leaves almost no ash and creates a ton of heat.

00e8bb6328dd0a47dfdf23effe330692.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
 
No mention of Woodstock Ideal Steel or Absolute. Maybe wouldn't fit the steel bill that you want.

I was going to suggest the Absoulte Steel. It's about 22.5" deep and only requires 6" front and 6" back clearence. For a decent sized stove 2.45cu' that has got to be one of the smallest front to back hearths, manual calls for 36.5" deep hearth pad. It's a side loader so you do need a bit wider pad, with 16" to one of the sides, you choose wich side. It's large enough to throw some good heat to get the place warm, then it can cruise very low - you shouldn't have a problem with overheating. The looks aren't for everyone though, but I like a couple of the optional designs and color combos (lots of choices). Plus since you say it's through the wall vent, this stove will vent horizontally out the back. Good luck deciding!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.