Avalon rainier in log cabin

[log cabin living]

hi everyone new to the site although I have been reading posts since I’ve moved into a log cabin in May and will try to do as much of the heating with the Avalon rainier insert that was installed when we bought the house. My question is how well does this stove perform. Log cabin house very open plan with vaulted ceiling and loft. There is a ceiling fan at the ceiling to help push warmer air down. I know this has a smaller firebox 1.8 I believe. Insert has a blower installed as well. Fireplace is on first floor. Hoping to do most of not all heating with insert but have oil boiler and pellet stove installed in basement. Looking for your expertise and recommendations to get the most out of the stove. Thanks

 

[begreen]

I haven't burned in the insert but with dry wood this stove is a decent performer. The vaulted ceiling will be the bigger issue. Hot air is going to pocket at the peak. The ceiling fan will help. Try running it in reverse (blowing upward) for more even heat distribution.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

I have the Avalon Rainier installed in a fireplace. It is a non flush install, aka extended install. On cold days (NJ) I use 2 fans (after market, not original) and it is a great heater. The stove is in a family room (raised ranch) downstairs and through a semi open stair case I can get enough heat upstairs to get the whole house (9 rooms) warm with the rooms we are not using closed. Our ceilings are 9 feet.
My recommendation would be to keep the stove. I can get an overnight burn with seasoned oak keeping the entire house around 70F (if outside is not below 20F). Again, great heater, just clean the chimney, clean the stove, and enjoy.

 

[begreen]

The Rainier was the first secondary rack tube stove I think. Classic design.

 

[log cabin living]

Thanks for your input glad to hear it’s a good stove as I have never heated with wood. I have cut split and stacked about 2 cords of fallen dead Oak on my property to use next year and purchased 3 cords of Oak for this year though I’m sure I’ll need more to burn this stove everyday. I’m looking forward to firing it up for the first time. Do you have any recommendations on where to get an oval brush to clean the stainless steal liner?

 

[Simonkenton]

I have a log cabin with a wood stove. My cabin is 20 x 24 with a very high cathedral ceiling, and a loft.
What size is your log cabin?

 

[log cabin living]

Cabin is about 1700 sq ft not including basement which isn’t finished. As you can see in pictures the upstairs is a loft bathroom and two small bedrooms. No real hallway all open. First floor is living room kitchen/dining area that is open and then a bathroom and small bedroom off the kitchen. Door to the basement is a half door so pellet stove heat can find its way up

 

[begreen]

As the sole source of heat the stove will be working hard in cold weather, but as a supplement, it should be ok. Is there any insulation in the roof? Are the walls solid log or splits with insulation between?

 

[log cabin living]

Not sure about insulation in the roof. The air conditioners haven’t had to work too hard this summer. It stays relatively cool in here even with the air off. They are solid log walls though. Insert has block off plate but I want to put some roxul in there and behind the unit since I pulled it out a little so it’s not flush. I must say this site is pretty awesome. If you have a question, you can find the answers on here if you look hard enough.

 

[Woodsplitter67]

My sister has your stove. Its older and still heats well. They use it all the time, heats the whole house. I would look at it this way. Get as much wood as you can, and heat with the stove. If it gets super cold out run the stove and run the pellet stove or boiler as needed. You'll fined that your stove will be doing the majority of the work. No worries ... remember your stove will be running all the time so you will need to concentrate on moving the warm air keep the cabin evenly heated. .. BTW 3 cord may be a little short.. most burn 3 to 4 cords with some using 5 to 8. Id grab atleast 4 cords.. nothing worse than being on this site in February posting a title ran out of wood.. now what

 

[begreen]

Are the basement walls insulated? That will make a major difference in the effectiveness of the pellet stove as a supplement.