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.
They don't make a stove called the xl. The biggest stove they make is the 5100 that was relabeled the 5200 when retested for 2020. I also don't think it would be a good fit for a modern 1200 sqft house. It just doesn't turn down low enough.
They don't make a stove called the xl. The biggest stove they make is the 5100 that was relabeled the 5200 when retested for 2020. I also don't think it would be a good fit for a modern 1200 sqft house. It just doesn't turn down low enough.
Based on what you have said, and it was my house, I would go with a wood stock brand. Either the Progress Hybrid, ideal steal, or absolute steal depending on where exactly you locate the stove and design preference. Reasons being:
1- They have a high output for when you first start up or need the extra heat.
2- all three are visually appealing
3- they can be turned down low and burn over night without a problem.
4- Since they have secondary tubes you will have a better fire show than with a regular cat stove.
5- they should last years with the regular maintenance.
6- you can hook up an outside air duct to the unit.
I just went from a Regency to a Drolet Legend. It's awesome! What a difference. And you can find all the parts, shipped from Montreal should you ever have an issue.
I would take a look at the Escape, rated up to 2100 sqft, always go bigger than you need! : (broken link removed to https://www.drolet.ca/en/products/stoves/escape-1800-legs-black-door-db03105/)
I think building a new home give you some flexibility. At this stage I would be focusing on where the stove would go and how it would be vented. Will you be cleaning the flue yourself? Top down from the roof or bottom up? An outside air kit is a must how will that be run? Are you wanting to be able to cook on it?
I was so limited dimensionally and by color choice and I didn’t want a cat stove that I didn’t have that many options. Looks were very important to me and I compromised some functionality for the look and I’m ok with that. I like my ash pan.
I like the Jøtuls and the PE T-x look nice too. Just my two cents.
Evan
Smaller new build. Well insulated and tight. Maybe look at the Woodstock Fireview. Another option with traditional look and ...Um... Fireview!
Low quality wood species as a concern in a Catalyst equipped stove is complete nonsense. My experience has been that my Cat stove loves lesser BTU wood species far better than the non Catalyst equipped stoves I've used. Where some of these Cat stove theories come from is hard to understand? Wow.
They don't make a stove called the xl. The biggest stove they make is the 5100 that was relabeled the 5200 when retested for 2020. I also don't think it would be a good fit for a modern 1200 sqft house. It just doesn't turn down low enough.
We have sold some. The only drawback is the 8" flue requirement. They do turn down fairly well so it doesn't have to be a huge house by any means. But the turn down isn't as low as the bk