Right, that's all I'm saying; If someone needs a lot of heat, probably the case in Wyoming with 4000 sq.ft, begreen and I are saying that with the same stove in the same house, we've found you can pull off more heat faster with the blower. That said, all stoves are a combination of radiant and convective heat, so the differences might not be as cut-and-dried as some might think.
The alcove stone would absorb some radiant heat, and a small fan on the floor some distance in front of the PH might help get more air heated. I wouldn't want a radiant stove like the PH in an alcove, but since the stone is inside, not an exterior chimney like I have, the heat is going to end up inside the envelope. Looking at the EPA numbers on the Ashford, output is rated about like my little Dutchwest 2460. That ain't gonna do much damage in 4000 sq.ft. If you're going with two stoves, I might consider an Ashford as one of them. One stove only? Get something that will throw down some serious heat to make it worth the effort. JMO.
What stove are you referring to that will throw some serious heat.Right, that's all I'm saying; If someone needs a lot of heat, probably the case in Wyoming with 4000 sq.ft, begreen and I are saying that with the same stove in the same house, we've found you can pull off more heat faster with the blower. That said, all stoves are a combination of radiant and convective heat, so the differences might not be as cut-and-dried as some might think.
South East, huh? Like Georgia or something? You could probably heat your place with two candles and a fart.
The alcove stone would absorb some radiant heat, and a small fan on the floor some distance in front of the PH might help get more air heated. I wouldn't want a radiant stove like the PH in an alcove, but since the stone is inside, not an exterior chimney like I have, the heat is going to end up inside the envelope. Looking at the EPA numbers on the Ashford, output is rated about like my little Dutchwest 2460. That ain't gonna do much damage in 4000 sq.ft. If you're going with two stoves, I might consider an Ashford as one of them. One stove only? Get something that will throw down some serious heat to make it worth the effort. JMO.
Yes indeed - a lot of farting goes on down here.South East, huh? Like Georgia or something? You could probably heat your place with two candles and a fart.
Well, there are a lot of big stoves out there.What stove are you referring to that will throw some serious heat.
But as you are finding, the question of actual output is about as clear as mud. 
You seem to be leaning toward a more attractive stove. There are a lot of plate-steel stoves, and some look pretty nice. In 8" flues, which are the biggest stoves with the most output, there are the Kuma Sequoia (great non-blower convection) and Buck 91 (blower not real quiet above low) that begreen mentioned. They are both cats, as is the Regency 5100 (hybrid)...not sure how long it's been out, or how reliable it is. Looks like a heat bomb, though. But a 6" flue will give you many more stoves to pick from, over 95% of stoves made, and there are serious heaters in this group as well. Lopi Liberty (quiet blower,) Quadra-Fire, PE and so on. Looking again at your floor plan, I don't think you have to go for the highest output stove at the expense of the other things you want, because I don't see much heat getting to the bedrooms anyway...may just need to resign those to little space heaters or something, especially the BR with 2 outside walls.Seems like you have already decided!
I've been partial to this stove since I saw it in brown enamel at a shop here...she's a beauty! 
I also liked the convection fins on top of the fire box...looked like that design would convect like crazy. I think it would toss a ton of heat, and EPA numbers point that way as well. It has a grated ash system but I don't know how good it is. It might not be quite as stingy with wood as some of the cat stoves.
Personally I've not seen durability issues with hinge pins or latches. It's been cracked stones and Castings.
That's what I thought about the firebox size vs total heat output. The chart of the EPA numbers on the Woodstock website show that the Mansfield at 3' and even the fireview with a 2' box puts out more btu's than the equinox.
Yep, you'll find some head-scratchers on that chart. Makes it tough to get an objective comparison....even users' testimonies for the same stove have to take into account different setups, layouts, climates and operating styles. For me the numbers have rung pretty true; In the same house and setup, the Fireview put out more than the Keystone, which put out more than the Dutchwest. But I have heard a couple people say they were underwhelmed by the Eq output. Looking at it, you'd think it was a flame-thrower, but apparently not so much.
I've never heard any impressive feedback from an equinox owner, some reviews are ok. It better be more than ok for that kinda weight and price! My Mansfield was very unimpressive, my little buck 21 outperformed it!
I can say that a stone stove can put out some heat when you've got 'er cranked up. Mine were/are straight cats, but I bet when you have secondaries and cat going, with the routing, fins and what-not, that rock is doing some serious radiating.
I can say that a stone stove can put out some heat when you've got 'er cranked up. Mine were/are straight cats, but I bet when you have secondaries and cat going, with the routing, fins and what-not, that rock is doing some serious radiating.
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I don't really know but my guess is they capture post-cat heat that would go up the flue and use it to heat intake air for more complete combustion?
What? How is any mfr. gonna cheat when testing is done by an independent EPA-accredited lab?
WS engineers are too smart; No chance those at lesser companies will ever figure it out.
Fire box size only determines how many total BTUs can be loaded, not how many BTUs/hr. can be released. That is determined by stove design.
Yes. You're wife likes the soapstone. Listen to her. She's on to something!
Don't get me wrong, the progress is leading the pack in the race right now. But I'm still going to look at everything. I'm the kind of guy that likes to turn levers, open doors and see the level of craftsmanship of something before I buy.
Yes, and soapstone is not the ideal delivery method if you are looking for maximum about of heat being delivered to the room..I don't really know but my guess is they capture post-cat heat that would go up the flue and use it to heat intake air for more complete combustion?
What? How is any mfr. gonna cheat when testing is done by an independent EPA-accredited lab?
WS engineers are too smart; No chance those at lesser companies will ever figure it out.
Fire box size only determines how many total BTUs can be loaded, not how many BTUs/hr. can be released. That is determined by stove design.
