BK Princess vs. Buck 74

[Deadspider187]

We are just about ready to pull the trigger on the 74 given our budget, but given the importance of this purchase I thought it best to run by you guys.

We are in a two story, 2300 sq ft. Home (1/3 of it in the basement apartment which uses electric) built in 1964, with new windows, doors, insulation, vinyl siding and roof in upstate NY. We recently took advantage of the NY rebate on energy efficiency and put in a new fuel oil furnace as part of that. During the evaluation for that, a "blow-a-door" test was done (that's what I told it was called), with a result of 3000, whatever that means. Maybe that will help someone figure out the seal of the house.

We've continued to use the wood stove due to the high cost of fuel oil for a house this size. The stove sits in the kitchen on the first floor. It's a large room, and the wood stove faces the living room on the other side of the house. The current wood stove will not keep the upstairs past 62 by the morning, but we heat the downstairs to nearly 80 when we go to bed. There are also some oxygen problems with our stove as far as I could tell, but the stove company will not acknowledge they made the stove. It is a US Stove Co. Aspen. I have the manual and can confirm that.

Is there any reason to spend $3650 installed for the BK over $2600 installed for the Buck? All reviews I have read on here are very positive for both.

Thanks in advance.

 

[claybe]

The 74 is a non-cat vs. the princess which is a cat stove. You will get more burn time and efficiency from the cat stove. It has taken me a long time but I think I am finally coming to terms with the phrase "you get what you pay for!" Only implied to objects...definitely not services

 

[weezer4117]

Have you compaired/priced the Buck model 91? Thats a big stove (Buck's biggest cat stove) but im thinking you could get one installed for under the $3650 BK wants. The princess, 74, and 91 are all good stoves. The all-mighty dollar will be your determining factor. I have a Buck 74 and I love it. Im heating just under 2000sf and it keeps up just fine. If I had anything bigger than I would want a bigger stove (91).

 

[jeff_t]

Heating 2300 sq ft in NY is going to be a stretch for either one, unless you have gotten it really tight. Do you already have a 6" flue?

 

[Pallet Pete]

Welcome deadspider ! You should look at a bigger stove like the Woodstock progress, Blaze King King, and buck 91. Thay are all good stoves and made for that kind of square footage. That said how many square feet are you going to heat total if its just upstairs ? Another good option would be to look at add on furnaces that are EPA rated blaze king makes some. They still use wood however it would use the existing ducts for heat which would heat the whole place still.

Pete

 

[Pallet Pete]

The second thing to consider is wood do yourself a favor and build a good dry wood supply. If you buy the seller will say 6 months to a year dry and that is good. The truth is it will be in log form until a few weeks before you buy and be soaking wet. If you buy a stove you can count on wet wood if your not prepared ahead of time which burns fast and not very hot. Anyone who says different is an idiot ! You may already know this considering the aspen but its worth pointing out. Good luck deadspider I hope all works out well.

Pete

 

[Deadspider187]

Perhaps I was not describing our home well enough. It is 2300 sq ft including the basement, but the basement has its own heat (electric). The heated portion of the house is only 2/3 of that (~1550 sq ft). We definitely can't fit a Buck 91 in our kitchen, it's much too large, and would require a larger flue.

The wood supply we have came in at 23% when first delivered. I believe most of it is hovering around 20% or lower now.

Heating 2300 sq ft in NY is going to be a stretch for either one, unless you have gotten it really tight. Do you already have a 6" flue?

We have a 6" flue.

 

[Pallet Pete]

In that case I would go for the princess if possible. They use a thermostatically controlled damper which gives much longer burns. The buck I believe is tube good too but not what you may want for long burns. On high however the princess will burn through a load fast like any stove. I doubt you will need high! As for the wood is the moister in the center of the split or the outside? Outside will be incorrect for a true moister reading.

Pete

 

[Deadspider187]

In that case I would go for the princess if possible. They use a thermostatically controlled damper which gives much longer burns. The buck I believe is tube good too but not what you may want for long burns. On high however the princess will burn through a load fast like any stove. I doubt you will need high! As for the wood is the moister in the center of the split or the outside? Outside will be incorrect for a true moister reading.

Pete

I tested the wood with a meter by sticking it deep into the ends and sides of logs. It seemed pretty evenly dried as far as I can tell.

Anyone have any experience with burn times on the 74? How often do you need to adjust the damper to keep the temperature of you house even?

 

[begreen]

For 1550 sq ft I think you will be ok going smaller. The Woodstock Fireview, Buck 20 would get the job done. The BKP though would give longer burn times.

In non-cat you have a lot of options. A Buck 74 should put you in the 6-10 hr range for burn times. Also in this size are the Jotul F55, Quad Cumberland Gap and the Enviro Boston.

 

[BrowningBAR]

The Pacific Energy T5 would also work. Also, I think BeGreen meant to type Jotul F50. The F55 is the larger stove.

 

[Deadspider187]

For 1550 sq ft I think you will be ok going smaller. The Woodstock Fireview, Buck 20 would get the job done. The BKP though would give longer burn times.

In non-cat you have a lot of options. A Buck 74 should put you in the 6-10 hr range for burn times. Also in this size are the Jotul F55, Quad Cumberland Gap and the Enviro Boston.

6-10 hour burn time isn't bad at all. I just want something that will keep the house from getting too cold overnight.

 

[WoodpileOCD]

If you are testing 23% on the outside I would guess closer to 30 on the inside. You really need to split one open and test on the inside fresh face. You aren't going to be happy with either one this year with that wood.

 

[tom dee]

The True Nort Basic stove like 1700$ and is loaded W features you want looks really promoising from Canada Tend to be more promising then American Mfgrs. pimiping China made items. Anyone burn one of these YET

 

[BrowningBAR]

The True Nort Basic stove like 1700$ and is loaded W features you want looks really promoising from Canada Tend to be more promising then American Mfgrs. pimiping China made items. Anyone burn one of these YET

I could have sworn the True North was under $1000.

 

[tom dee]

my bad youre correct 900 delivered not installed anyone burn one yet im intrested to hear im also lookin at BK and some jotul pieces

 

[BrowningBAR]

my bad youre correct 900 delivered not installed anyone burn one yet im intrested to hear im also lookin at BK and some jotul pieces

Yes, there are two or three members here that have one. I know two for sure. If you search for it you will find the threads.

 

[Pallet Pete]

6-10 hour burn time isn't bad at all. I just want something that will keep the house from getting too cold overnight.

If budget is an issue the englander 30-NCH is usually below 1000 and equal in quality to those your looking at. (broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/buy/englander-2-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-30-nch.html#.UQqhTxG9KK0)

I hope this is not to much to absorb lol we get a bit carried away here !

Pete

 

[BrowningBAR]

If budget is an issue the englander 30-NCH is usually below 1000 and equal in quality to those your looking at. (broken link removed to http://www.homedepot.com/buy/englander-2-200-sq-ft-wood-stove-30-nch.html#.UQqhTxG9KK0)

I hope this is not to much to absorb lol we get a bit carried away here !

Pete

The 30 might be a bit much if the 1500 sq ft is well insulated.

 

[jeff_t]

Perhaps I was not describing our home well enough. It is 2300 sq ft including the basement, but the basement has its own heat (electric).

You were pretty clear, I was pretty fuzzy at 430 this morning

What's your chimney like? Is it masonry or insulated class A? If everything is already in place, installation is a snap. You could DIY, unless your insurance requires a professional install.

Is it worth an extra $1k? I guess it depends. The BK will burn for a long time with nice, even heat, and really shines in the spring and fall with the ability to burn clean at a reduced output. If it's not a big deal for you, go for the Buck. It's a solid stove.

We're all dry wood fanatics here, but it really is necessary for a satisfying burning experience. Get next year's supply now.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

The 30 might be a bit much if the 1500 sq ft is well insulated.

BAR, Better to have the capacity and not need it?
Do You ever burn Your 30 E/W? My 30 burns a lot slower and seems to give off less BTU's E/W....

To the Original poster My vote would be for the BK princess and never look back, but then again my House is 2120 sq ft and I choose a King instead of the Princess.

 

[BrowningBAR]

BAR, Better to have the capacity and not need it?
Do You ever burn Your 30 E/W? My 30 burns a lot slower and seems to give off less BTU's E/W....

I can get the 30 just as hot burning e/w as I do n/s. But, 3.5 cu ft seems to be a bit overkill if this is a well insulated 1500 sq ft.

 

[jeff_t]

Anybody know the hearth requirement for the 74? The manual is very confusing.

I also find it humorous that it tells you pine makes more creosote

 

[new_wood]

We have the Buck 74 freestanding stove and enjoy it. Our home is 1800 sq feet and can keep everything heated well when I am around to keep up with the reloads. I would say that 6-7 hours of good heat output is a fair assumption.

 

[rwm001]

I have a Buck 74 in an old brick farmhouse (1850). I try to get the most heat I can. In MY case, 6-7 hours of good good heat is not realistic. More like 3-4 hours with mainly cherry wood.

Very interested in this thread as I went to look at Princess insert last week! Got a much better price quote than a couple of years ago.
Good luck in your quest.