Well after my Summit problems, I decided to grab my Dad's new Englander 30 from his cabin and break it in at my house. I had to adjust and add a couple of elbows for clearance purposes and move my hearth protector a little but three days ago I was firing it up. After the first couple of burns, I opened her up and man can she burn. Yes, I have noticed some parts are a little cheaper than an Avalon, Summit, or Quad but what a beauty for the price (449.00). I have had OK coals in the morning using just three splits at night and these splits were already burning for a while, again very impressive. I have noticed the glass does not stay as clean as my Summit but I am sure this is because I am still figuring out this stove. I have noticed wonderful secondary burns when I burn east/west. I am still figuring out which way it burns better. It seems to burn hotter north/south but a nicer burn (at least for me) east/west.
The front "shelf" just above the ash pan is really hot and it catches my hand all time when adjusting the draft control but again for the the price I am not complaining. It does not need the EBT because I have not seen any unburned fuel in the morning, just reach in and move some hot coals to the front, Viola put in some seasoned splits... I do agree that it is difficult to "turn this stove down", unless it is just about all the way closed (seems to burn hot). That is OK in my book, just takes some tinkering and you can make it work no problem.
I do miss my Summit, it is sitting in my garage until I can figure out what is going on. My Dad is very understanding of my problems and my love for wood stoves so he said there is no rush with his new stove. He also said we could put his old stove back in the cabin if we need to (letting me keep it longer).
I like the fact that you can get get side heat shields, wish they came free but I am sure it is not very expensive. Even at the recommended clearances, which are 4 times more than the Summit, I still notice that the walls are a little hotter with the Englander. Again no biggie if you adjust it properly.
I have not even given it the dollar bill test or stuffed it for a good long burn yet so I am thinking this stove will impress me more later on. The ash pan is small, well at least smaller than my Summit (of course most are smaller than my Summit) and there is no trap door opener from the front like the Summit. You have to grab the hook with your fire tool and pull it open, then rake the ashes in the pan. This is fine and once again for 449.00, just having the ash pan is wonderful.
All in all, I love the fact that the Englander gives people pretty much all they want in a stove, available big firebox, good overnight burns, nice cheap-priced options (unlike Avalon or Summit), and a nice viewing area to watch it burn.
Bravo England Stove Works Inc!
The front "shelf" just above the ash pan is really hot and it catches my hand all time when adjusting the draft control but again for the the price I am not complaining. It does not need the EBT because I have not seen any unburned fuel in the morning, just reach in and move some hot coals to the front, Viola put in some seasoned splits... I do agree that it is difficult to "turn this stove down", unless it is just about all the way closed (seems to burn hot). That is OK in my book, just takes some tinkering and you can make it work no problem.
I do miss my Summit, it is sitting in my garage until I can figure out what is going on. My Dad is very understanding of my problems and my love for wood stoves so he said there is no rush with his new stove. He also said we could put his old stove back in the cabin if we need to (letting me keep it longer).
I like the fact that you can get get side heat shields, wish they came free but I am sure it is not very expensive. Even at the recommended clearances, which are 4 times more than the Summit, I still notice that the walls are a little hotter with the Englander. Again no biggie if you adjust it properly.
I have not even given it the dollar bill test or stuffed it for a good long burn yet so I am thinking this stove will impress me more later on. The ash pan is small, well at least smaller than my Summit (of course most are smaller than my Summit) and there is no trap door opener from the front like the Summit. You have to grab the hook with your fire tool and pull it open, then rake the ashes in the pan. This is fine and once again for 449.00, just having the ash pan is wonderful.
All in all, I love the fact that the Englander gives people pretty much all they want in a stove, available big firebox, good overnight burns, nice cheap-priced options (unlike Avalon or Summit), and a nice viewing area to watch it burn.
Bravo England Stove Works Inc!
