Hi! I'm new to the forum. I have questions about choosing a wood stove for our home.
We bought an old 16x76 mobile home last spring, moved it onto a piece of land in western Arkansas (near the southern border of the Ozarks), and started renovating it. We are living in it with our six children while continuing to fix it up. It did not have a working furnace in it, and all the ductwork was useless as well. So, we decided we would just use a wood stove as our primary heating source. Being on a tight budget and not having a clue what to look for, we went ahead and bought a used DIY shop stove. After attempting to heat our long, skinny trailer house with it for a few months, it's become obvious we really need a better-built, much more efficient stove. We will soon add on to the house so we'll need to heat about 1400 sq ft.
Now, soon tax returns will make it possible to buy a new stove, BUT it will still need to fit into a budget of under $2,000 with everything--including tax, shipping, any extra stovepipe (we already have stovepipe and a chimney installed but may have to make alterations for a different stove), heat-activated (non-electric) blower, fresh air intake kit, etc. Yet, because it's our main heat source, and even in Arkansas we will need to run it almost constantly for about 3-4 months & occasionally in the shoulder season, we need something economical but durable enough for continual use, that will last many years with reasonable care.
I have read that the $800-$1000 economy sheet metal models (your basic Ashley, US Stove types) are only suitable for occasional use because the metal is not very thick. Then there is "welded steel" that is made of thicker metal and supposedly more durable, but there are few of these supposedly mid-priced models. I see a big price gap. And then there is cast iron, soapstone, etc. Premium models run $3500 and up to over $10K. Blaze Kings, Regency, Woodstock Soapstone, and the ones from Unforgettable Fire look awesome but are simply out of my budget range. I really love the Vermont Bun Baker! But, it's way too expensive and not mobile home approved. Here is my main question:
Is there a not a middle-of-the-road model that is better than the cheapest but not a status symbol of wealth?
Some people say the economy ones are just as good as the expensive ones; others say there is a world of difference. Since a premium model is not an option for my budget, is it worth paying a little extra for the few that run $1200 or $1600, or are they the same as a Vogelzang, Ashley, or Englander that I can get for $800? One website said if you want a high-quality but economical stove, check out the Englander 13-NC. But I can't find that model now, only parts; is it discontinued? The closest I could find was the Englander 2000 sq ft (Model 15-W03). It's $899 through Home Depot. Any recommendations?
We bought an old 16x76 mobile home last spring, moved it onto a piece of land in western Arkansas (near the southern border of the Ozarks), and started renovating it. We are living in it with our six children while continuing to fix it up. It did not have a working furnace in it, and all the ductwork was useless as well. So, we decided we would just use a wood stove as our primary heating source. Being on a tight budget and not having a clue what to look for, we went ahead and bought a used DIY shop stove. After attempting to heat our long, skinny trailer house with it for a few months, it's become obvious we really need a better-built, much more efficient stove. We will soon add on to the house so we'll need to heat about 1400 sq ft.
Now, soon tax returns will make it possible to buy a new stove, BUT it will still need to fit into a budget of under $2,000 with everything--including tax, shipping, any extra stovepipe (we already have stovepipe and a chimney installed but may have to make alterations for a different stove), heat-activated (non-electric) blower, fresh air intake kit, etc. Yet, because it's our main heat source, and even in Arkansas we will need to run it almost constantly for about 3-4 months & occasionally in the shoulder season, we need something economical but durable enough for continual use, that will last many years with reasonable care.
I have read that the $800-$1000 economy sheet metal models (your basic Ashley, US Stove types) are only suitable for occasional use because the metal is not very thick. Then there is "welded steel" that is made of thicker metal and supposedly more durable, but there are few of these supposedly mid-priced models. I see a big price gap. And then there is cast iron, soapstone, etc. Premium models run $3500 and up to over $10K. Blaze Kings, Regency, Woodstock Soapstone, and the ones from Unforgettable Fire look awesome but are simply out of my budget range. I really love the Vermont Bun Baker! But, it's way too expensive and not mobile home approved. Here is my main question:
Is there a not a middle-of-the-road model that is better than the cheapest but not a status symbol of wealth?
Some people say the economy ones are just as good as the expensive ones; others say there is a world of difference. Since a premium model is not an option for my budget, is it worth paying a little extra for the few that run $1200 or $1600, or are they the same as a Vogelzang, Ashley, or Englander that I can get for $800? One website said if you want a high-quality but economical stove, check out the Englander 13-NC. But I can't find that model now, only parts; is it discontinued? The closest I could find was the Englander 2000 sq ft (Model 15-W03). It's $899 through Home Depot. Any recommendations?
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