Compare stoves - Jotul and Avalon
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Not exactly a close comparison. The Oslo is a 2 cu ft, cast iron, side loading stove. The Olympic is a 3 cu ft steel front loader. Basically very different stoves here. The Jotul Firelight F600 would be a closer comparison.
Can you provide more information about the house and room size? How well insulated is the home? Will there be good access and clearances for a side loading the stove?
Edit: Nevermind, this has already been asked and answered. Still going for a corner installation in the dining room? If so, a front loader is what you'll want. Did you get a chance to look at the Pacific Energy Alderlea stove suggested? In the Avalon line, I would compare the Rainier with the Oslo.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/40989/
Edit: Nevermind, this has already been asked and answered. Still going for a corner installation in the dining room? If so, a front loader is what you'll want. Did you get a chance to look at the Pacific Energy Alderlea stove suggested? In the Avalon line, I would compare the Rainier with the Oslo.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/40989/
About Pacific Energy Alderlea, there is no dealer in my state NJ. (One is in NY but still a distance).
I think a side loader would be fine - as the side on the Jutol is on the left like my current VC defiant. My relatives had the same VC defiant and are replacing that with the Avalon - which is what their store sells. Which is why I was asking for any comparison.
Sounds like the main difference is cast iron versus steel. Is there any advantage of either material? The costs are about the same for stove, delivery and install. Anything else to consider? Some posts say the Avalon consumes a lot of wood.
I think a side loader would be fine - as the side on the Jutol is on the left like my current VC defiant. My relatives had the same VC defiant and are replacing that with the Avalon - which is what their store sells. Which is why I was asking for any comparison.
Sounds like the main difference is cast iron versus steel. Is there any advantage of either material? The costs are about the same for stove, delivery and install. Anything else to consider? Some posts say the Avalon consumes a lot of wood.
FWIW, PE shows about 8 dealers in NJ. Is Paramus nearby?
The cast vs steel question has been asked, no?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/21596/
The cast vs steel question has been asked, no?
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/21596/
You are right. As I revisit the decision, I need to review prior questions - I'm going in circles. The thread you refer to ends with a moderator saying "Everybody knows that Jotuls are crap. Only thing worse than a Jotul cast is a Lopi steel. " and I can't tell if he is being sarcastic or real.
On the Pacific Energy Alderlea in NJ. I searched at their website and did what I normally do in searches - choose NJ and nothing more. And that normally gives all NJ locations. This site does not work that way. You have to select a city in the next list to get a dealer.
Actually Fairfield is closer and is the store with the Avalon as well. Worth a look. Thanks.
Actually Fairfield is closer and is the store with the Avalon as well. Worth a look. Thanks.
netmouse said:
That would have to be a joke.. Jotuls are the best casts out there in my opinion. My Oslo is a work horse and I have not one complaint.
I have the Oslo as well and I am very happy with it, but I now do wish I had gotten the F600, mainly with regard to over night burns.
Make sure you are getting the right size for your needs, regardless of which brand you go with.
Make sure you are getting the right size for your needs, regardless of which brand you go with.
I had the Olympic until a few weeks ago, and can say without hesitation that it was the nicest stove I have ever owned. Very well designed, solid, and capable of putting out an unbelievable amount of heat. It had 8-9 hour burn times very easily. I'm probably the one who posted about how much wood it ate, and with that big firebox and high BTU output it really can go through a lot of wood. However, anyone who tells you it's not a well made product is full of it. It was a very solid stove and I would not hesitate to buy another if the BK I am buying isn't all it's cracked up to be.
netmouse said:
sarcasm. Look around and see how many 50 yr old steel stoves are still around vs cast iron. In Europe, a steel stove is a fairly rare sight. Not that I'm not knocking steel stoves either. The Alderlea series is a hybrid steel stove with a cast iron jacket. It's a nice combo.
netmouse said:
Rick was being facetious in that post. He owns a Lopi Liberty, and I'm sure he'll tell you that it's not junk. As others have pointed out, bear in mind you are comparing two different beasts: a cast iron stove and a plate steel stove. Jotul makes some of the best cast iron stoves on the market, arguably, and Travis Industries makes some of the best plate steel stoves on the market (Avalon and Lopi). You couldn't go wrong with either choice. I suppose one could argue that a cast stove might require more work over its life considering they can require a "rebuild" from time to time. However, plate steel stoves will eventually require the baffle system to be replaced, so maybe it's a wash.
Dont forget the F600 has the double front doors and one side needs that silly gadget to open it. I also wasnt a huge fan of the seashell emblem on the F600. That could be a much better seller if they made some minor adjustments. The Oslo was the right size for us and its by far the best stove I've opereated. The heat will last longer than a steel but the steel will heat up quicker.. boils down to personal preference.Deep Fryer said:
Pagey said:
All true. Pagey's spot on. I reviewed the thread in question, including my "offending" post. Had thought at the time, I guess, that the smiley would make it clear that I was being facetious on both counts. Jotul and Lopi/Avalon are all perfectly good appliances. Exactly which model you choose depends upon your heating requirements and your personal preferences. Sorry for any confusion I might have caused. Please keep in mind that (in my case) the fact I'm a moderator doesn't mean I know anything.
Rick
netmouse said:
I have the Oslo and am very happy . . . but a lot of folks also love the Avalon as well.
As mentioned these are two different types of stoves -- both in the size of the firebox and the construction.
Quite honestly, I wrestled with the stove construction question for a long time when I was deciding what stove to get and now that I look back on the whole issue and after having read personal accounts from users of steel, cast iron and soapstone I have come to one conclusion . . . they all keep folks warm and with only a few exceptions most makes and models that you buy out there are good products that will keep you warm for a very long time.
I think the Cast stoves give off a "soft heat" and look better then steel. Its all up to your taste.
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