New Wood Stove Install Recommendations

[bsutter01]

I have been on this site for a couple years reading up and learning all I can. Moved into a new house a few years back. Finally talked the wife into a wood stove at the new house (she loved it in our former home). The current set-up is a direct vent VC Radiance gas stove. The location of this gas stove will be where I would like to place the wood stove.

A little background, not new to wood burning. I have burned EPA stoves and non EPA stoves - Regency (tube) and VC (cat) and other non EPA's.

The look is what will sell my wife (she likes the cast appearance like the VC Radiance gas stove). Me personally, I don't care but you know who wins this battle. I have researched about everything out there. This is my list (in no specific order):

PE Alderlea T5 or T6
Blaze King Ashford 30
Quadra Fire Explorer II or III
Jotul F500 or 600
Lopi Cape Cod

I am neutral on tube vs cat. See pros and cons to both. I don't really like the top loading on the Quadra Fire III. Seen postings about issues with the Lopi Cape Cod. Like the low / medium burns with a Blaze King.

Appears that the best N/S loading stove would be the PE or Blaze King. Looks like the others are more E/W loaders.

A basic drawing of the house footprint.

Looking for any feedback, opinions or suggestions.

Thanks

 

[webby3650]

Ive had 2 different F-500's at different houses, the Cape Cod, and an Ashford 30. I currently have a Quad Isle Royale, the top load feature is nice. I find that I can't really fill the stove for overnight burns without using the front door, so that feature would not sway my decision. Of all these stoves I've had that are on your list, I'd go with the BK Ashford. It is capable of very consistent heat output, no big heat spikes mid burn like most other stoves. That's why I would choose it.

 

[bsutter01]

Thanks for the feedback webby3650. I think I would get some good heat with the Ashford. I would like to get some good pics of this stove on a hearth - if anybody has any?

Also, the sq ft is rather large, do you think the Ashford can take care of the main level? This is why I am looking at the larger cubic foot models ~ 3 cf.

The plan is to move the VC Radiance to the basement.

Thanks.

 

[webby3650]

Keep in mind that just because a stove claims 3', doesn't mean it's capable of being loaded with 3' of wood. Like the Cod for instance, it's box is 12" deep and 24" wide with an arched opening. Unless you wood is cut 24" long you can't utilize the box, if it is all 24" long then you can't get the last 2 pieces in because of the arch.

 

[bcrtops]

Lot of happy T5 & T6 owners here -- a good burning, simple design stove that is easy to work on & free of numerous parts needing repaired or replaced.

 

[bsutter01]

Keep in mind that just because a stove claims 3', doesn't mean it's capable of being loaded with 3' of wood. Like the Cod for instance, it's box is 12" deep and 24" wide with an arched opening. Unless you wood is cut 24" long you can't utilize the box, if it is all 24" long then you can't get the last 2 pieces in because of the arch.

Agree on the firebox size. That is why I like N/S loaders better. My old VC was only a E/W loader and you could not fill the box up. You could put rather long splits in - 22".

 

[webby3650]

Agree on the firebox size. That is why I like N/S loaders better. My old VC was only a E/W loader and you could not fill the box up. You could put rather long splits in - 22".

I've had a couple of encores too. All my E/W loaders were about the same. Difficult to load...

 

[bsutter01]

Lot of happy T5 & T6 owners here -- a good burning, simple design stove that is easy to work on & free of numerous parts needing repaired or replaced.

I see many happy T5 and T6 owners on here. I like the firebox size on the PE's.

Any other owners of Jotuls or Quadra fires to chime in?

 

[bsutter01]

I've had a couple of encores too. All my E/W loaders were about the same. Difficult to load...

Where you located webby3650?

 

[webby3650]

Where you located webby3650?

Bloomington

 

[bsutter01]

Bloomington[/QUOTE

Ok, way south of me (Ft. Wayne area).

 

[webby3650]

Ya, that's a good ways from me!
I'd go ahead and remove the Cape Cod from my shortlist if it were me. My biggest problem really is the way Lopi wouldn't and still won't own any problems associated with the stove.

 

[bsutter01]

Ya, that's a good ways from me!
I'd go ahead and remove the Cape Cod from my shortlist if it were me. My biggest problem really is the way Lopi wouldn't and still won't own any problems associated with the stove.

I remember reading your posts on the Cape Cod. One of the dealers near here sell Lopi and Regency, which is nice. They used to sell VC / Dutchwest but don't anymore. There is a PE dealer close but a Blaze King dealer is a bit further drive.

 

[webby3650]

I remember reading your posts on the Cape Cod. One of the dealers near here sell Lopi and Regency, which is nice. They used to sell VC / Dutchwest but don't anymore. There is a PE dealer close but a Blaze King dealer is a bit further drive.

We sold VC for more than 30 years, dropped them a few years back... I've either used or serviced most major brands. To me, all non-cats can be put in a similar category, it comes down to looks and manufacturer support. They will all perform similarly in my opinion. Some make different btu claims or efficiency claims.

After having my hands on so many and from being around here so many years, I'll stick with Blaze King and Woodstock from now on for my main heater. My "experiment" hearth is for others that I pick up cheap or free.

 

[xman23]

I to had to convince my wife we needed a stove not a fireplace. What changed her opinion was when she saw the fire burning through the glass door and the victorious enamel finish. The stove couldn't be a flat black box. We got the high gloss forest green Oslo, 17 years ago. The finish today is as perfect today as it was day 1. Today the stove runs exactly as it did day 1. She loves the stove fire view and the heat it provides. We are weekenders. We heat the house with the stove when we are here.

It's a front or side loader non cat. The front door spills ash. We only use the side door. We heat a well insulated 1800 sq ft, open floor plan very easily with the stove.

 

[bsutter01]

Thanks for the feedback on your Jotul. The looks are really nice, the wife likes them. Are you primarily E/W loading since you are using the side door? I would assume so.

 

[firefighterjake]

I see many happy T5 and T6 owners on here. I like the firebox size on the PE's.

Any other owners of Jotuls or Quadra fires to chime in?

OK . . .

But first . . . honestly . . . I don't think you can really go wrong with any of the choices you have listed. They're all well liked stoves and folks here have had a lot of good (mostly good) experiences with them.

My Oslo . . . only two negatives I have had is some ash will drop out on to the front lip and makes a bit of mess and the sliding mechanism for the air control sticks sometimes unless I give it a liberal application of graphite powder. Honestly, these are not that big a deal to me. It's been a great stove. Since 2008 the only thing I have done is replace some of the gaskets (this past year). The stove has been nearly bullet-proof.

Occasionally I have thought about getting a different stove . . . maybe one of the long burning cat stoves, maybe one of those sharp looking soapstone Woodstocks (well the Progress, I don't care much for the other designs personally) . . . but for me it always comes back to the fact that the Oslo has been keeping me plenty warm with no issues for the past few years and I figure why mess with a good thing.

My only regret . . . and it's minor . . . is perhaps I should not have been so cheap and should have splurged for the blue-black enamel vs. going with the cheaper matte black paint.

 

[Rearscreen]

Occasionally I have thought about getting a different stove

If you did and got a PH you'd feel the difference and save about 2 cords in the process.

 

[webby3650]

If you did and got a PH you'd feel the difference and save about 2 cords in the process.

The Oslo shouldn't be discredited, it's a good heater. If it heats the space easily then there's a good chance there would be no real wood savings by changing stoves.

 

[Rearscreen]

The Oslo shouldn't be discredited, it's a good heater. If it heats the space easily then there's a good chance there would be no real wood savings by changing stoves.

I disagree, but then again I may have alternative facts. I've owned both in the same house. 5 cords vs 2 cords and a warmer house with the 2 cord model.

 

[webby3650]

I disagree, but then again I may have alternative facts. I've owned both in the same house. 5 cords vs 2 cords and a warmer house with the 2 cord model.

You've had good results. I was unaware of your personal results. Thanks for sharing.

 

[begreen]

I disagree, but then again I may have alternative facts. I've owned both in the same house. 5 cords vs 2 cords and a warmer house with the 2 cord model.

Not doubting the results but last winter was particularly mild in the east and the preceding one was particularly cold. Would that explain part of the dramatic change?

 

[SCOTT S.]

Ashford enamel I think they come standard with a dog laying in front of them.

 

[Rearscreen]

Not doubting the results but last winter was particularly mild in the east and the preceding one was particularly cold. Would that explain part of the dramatic change?

It was the winter before last, the cold long one. That December I put the PH in (avatar) as in October I knew Oslo wasn't going to cut it. So, when all said and done, that Oslo was in that hearth for 5 years and consistently burned 5 cords per year. PH at the end of season, a little over 2. No supplemental heat and the house was warmer. When I sold the Oslo pictured, with doors off, one short guy lifted it and walked it to his pick up truck. I couldn't believe it.

 

[webby3650]

It was the winter before last, the cold long one. That December I put the PH in (avatar) as in October I knew Oslo wasn't going to cut it. So, when all said and done, that Oslo was in that hearth for 5 years and consistently burned 5 cords per year. PH at the end of season, a little over 2. No supplemental heat and the house was warmer. When I sold the Oslo pictured, with doors off, one short guy lifted it and walked it to his pick up truck. I couldn't believe it.

With the doors off it's still gotta be nearly 400lbs. That guy was crazy!