Adjusting fire box volume - PE summit

[deguireb]

I am shopping for a new wood stove. I like PE stoves and not sure if the size of the Super 27 or the Summit is best for my house. If I get the Summit, could I insert a solid cement block, 4 inches wide against one wall to make the fire box the same size as the Super in the shoulder season, or if the stove is just too big for my house? This should produce the same internal temperature and stove performance, just that the outside of the stove would operate at a lower temperature, having a larger mass. Does this sound like a good plan. Am I missing something that would make this a poor decision?

Thanks, Bryan
Massachusetts

 

[Jags]

Throw us some numbers. What are you trying to heat?

 

[Grisu]

Not sure why would that be needed. You may be overthinking the stove size question a bit. There is no requirement to load more wood than you want in the firebox. The Summit will run just fine if you pack it only half full which should give you about the same heat as the Super. The heat output of any stove is directly correlated to the amount of wood that you put in. If anything I would consider leaving a larger layer of ash in the bottom of the firebox rather than adding concrete blocks to it.

 

[Manitoulin Maples]

I have the PE Super 27 and looking at new stoves too (one of which is Summit sized). Maybe folks here can help me out with this: I've always understood that the efficiency and pollution ratings of non cat stoves directly correlate to the temperature inside the firebox....it has to be hot enough inside to burn the gases in the smoke. Therefore if the temperature is not high enough the stove isn't operating at maximum efficiency....and the temperature is only high enough if you have enough wood inside. So my sense is that if you half load the Summit all the time with anything less than super high BTU wood, you are just polluting the air way more than necessary and the stove won't run at optimal efficiency. Is this correct?

 

[Manitoulin Maples]

And OP Bryan - I personally thought about the same thing as you and don't see why you couldn't add another layer of firebrick to the stove? You could call PE and ask them - I've called their 800# before and they were super helpful.

 

[Jags]

it has to be hot enough inside to burn the gases in the smoke

This is the key. That being said, I can easily hit my target temps on far less than full loads.

 

[deguireb]

Thanks for the comments:
- I am in southern Massachusetts, basement install, ~900 sq ft with two finished floors over.
- Have been burning for about 15 years with an old airtight stove, I relined the flue (6 inch insulated, 30' tall) to prepare for a new stove.
- Many people say to go with a larger stove and adjust the load to match the requirements, but it is also said that these stoves like to be fully loaded.

 

[begreen]

We have a very long shoulder seasons out here. Most of us with this firebox have to run partial loads during this time. The Summit burns fine with a half load of fuel.

 

[deguireb]

Would it be correct to think that burning a Summit at 1/2 to 2/3 capacity would be safer than a Super 27 at full capacity. The idea being that the larger size and mass of the Summit would provide an increased margin in the case of an overfire.

I was comfortable with my old air tight to load it up and leave the house, I have read many threads that makes me wonder if an EPA stove is really a good idea. If I get one I would spend the time to burn correctly, but I do not want to baby sit the fire, or not have confidence to use it when not home.

Bryan

 

[DougA]

- I am in southern Massachusetts, basement install, ~900 sq ft with two finished floors over.

It sounds like your basement is unfinished. An unfinished basement will suck a lot of the heat that a stove produces. I would go big, and half load when needed. You will regret going too small when the weather is severe and you need the heat.

 

[Jags]

Would it be correct to think that burning a Summit at 1/2 to 2/3 capacity would be safer than a Super 27 at full capacity.

No - not really. Its all about the temp and a big stove can overfire just as easily as a smaller one.
The new EPA stoves really are not complicated. Once you get the learning curve done you will have every bit as much confidence in running the new stove as you did the old.

If I may....I know it is said time and time again and for good reason. EPA stoves like DRY wood. That is the A # 1 reason people have trouble with them....by far.

 

[Manitoulin Maples]

If I may....I know it is said time and time again and for good reason. EPA stoves like DRY wood. That is the A # 1 reason people have trouble with them....by far.

Big time. Totally agree.

The PE stoves are super easy to operate.