Best non-cat stove?

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
Just an update, I went with the Jotul f45, and I'm glad I did. We had a somewhat mild winter for alaska and I know now the f55 would have been overkill. The f45 looks plenty grand in the living room. Beautiful viewing glass, and overall a great stove. Easy to control, super long burns, from nov1- april1 went through about 3.5 cords white birch as my primary heat source. Couldn't be happier. Was shocked to see them discontinue this model though, hopefully a f45 v3 non-cat is coming out. Highly recommend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Todd and GG Woody
Also, just as a side note, I received as a house warming gift a Stirling engine stove fan from the company in Britain called "Warp5". Its inner workings are display under a glass top, and if you're in the mood to treat yourselves, it's probably the coolest thing I've ever owned in my life. The price is quite high, but it is truly a special addition to my home. Would make a great gift for a very special occasion.

[Hearth.com] Best non-cat stove?
 
Also, just as a side note, I received as a house warming gift a Stirling engine stove fan from the company in Britain called "Warp5". Its inner workings are display under a glass top, and if you're in the mood to treat yourselves, it's probably the coolest thing I've ever owned in my life. The price is quite high, but it is truly a special addition to my home. Would make a great gift for a very special occasion. View attachment 339596
I checked out their fans,they are definitely cool but as you had said very expensive and having one shipped to Canada who knows what you are going to get hammered for taxes and duties and whatever else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jfior1983
I checked out their fans,they are definitely cool but as you had said very expensive and having one shipped to Canada who knows what you are going to get hammered for taxes and duties and whatever else.
Yeah, it's definitely one of those purchases that is questionable on the price. I wouldn't have bought one if it wasn't gifted. A regular stove fan works just fine, but I will say I get about twice the airflow from the warp5.
 
I checked out their fans,they are definitely cool but as you had said very expensive and having one shipped to Canada who knows what you are going to get hammered for taxes and duties and whatever else.
I just got a Stirling stove fan from Europe, and wow — it’s really something to watch! Total cost was about CAD 350, including the fan, shipping, and duties. Shipping took around two weeks; it was insured, but once it left Europe there wasn’t any tracking.
The fan works like a charm — it moves air around my open-plan space much better than any Peltier fan I’ve tried. That said, it really needs a hot stove top to spin up fast, so don’t expect it to go full speed on a low-heat fire. Still, it’s totally worth it for how efficiently it spreads the warmth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jfior1983
How is the noise level? I have only seen one stirling fan on a stove and it chugged away like a quiet steam enging. Peltier fans vary a lot depending on the fan blade design and manufacturer. I had the original EcoFan and it moved a very modest amount of air. When it finally gave up after 10 seasons I got a Voda fan and it moved a lot more air. Since then I got another and although it looks similar and was inexpensive, it does not move as much air.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jfior1983
How is the noise level? I have only seen one stirling fan on a stove and it chugged away like a quiet steam enging. Peltier fans vary a lot depending on the fan blade design and manufacturer. I had the original EcoFan and it moved a very modest amount of air. When it finally gave up after 10 seasons I got a Voda fan and it moved a lot more air. Since then I got another and although it looks similar and was inexpensive, it does not move as much air.
My fan from Warp 5 is almost totally silent. You have to put your ear close to the fan to hear it. But, it doesn’t automatically start. Once the stove hits about 350, you have to spin the blade to start it.