Contemplating stove upgrade. Need opinion

[Rebelduckman]

I started with the Englander 17, then moved to the 13-nc last year. I love the stove, it puts out plenty heat but I'm still not getting the burn time I want. At best I got around 6 and that's with quality hardwood. I want to be in that 8-10 hour zone. I'm only heating 1200 or so with a open plan but its old and mostly uninsulated. What are some suggestions? I like Englander. Will the 30 run us out? Open to any suggestions. Tia

 

[porkchopexpress]

OST.
I'm in the same boat

 

[Woody Stover]

You might first try to seal up air leaks. That will help the house retain heat after the fire has burned down. Upgrading insulation might be tougher, but adding some to the attic would be relatively easy, and can pay off big. How much do you have up there now? Other than that, about the best thing to do would be to get a small cat stove for a long, low burn. I think the 30 would cook you out unless it was pretty cold out. They say the PEs burn pretty long, but I don't know if that translates into being able to run the stove lower...

 

[Rebelduckman]

You might first try to seal up air leaks. That will help the house retain heat after the fire has burned down. Upgrading insulation might be tougher, but adding some to the attic would be relatively easy, and can pay off big. How much do you have up there now? Other than that, about the best thing to do would be to get a small cat stove for a long, low burn. I think the 30 would cook you out unless it was pretty cold out. They say the PEs burn pretty long, but I don't know if that translates into being able to run the stove lower...

There's not much in the attic either woody. I'm planning to blow some up there before winter and seal up around some doors and windows better. I did change windows out a couple years ago to double pane and that helped a good bit. What do you recommend on the cat line? I'm not very knowledgable on those stoves at all. Tia

 

[Jags]

Moving to the stove forum for a larger audience.

 

[Swedishchef]

Personally I find you can make a small fire in a bigger stove but it doesn't work the other way around

A 30 will certainly give you longer burn times but don't forget that longer burn times = much more heat. Loading a 30 to the top could cook you out of the room depending on the house setup....

It seems like maybe, if your budget allows for it, a CAT stove would work well. A more constant heat output for longer times....

Andrew

 

[BrotherBart]

With an average high in the sixties and average low in the high thirties in Winter you need to hold more heat not generate more heat.

 

[begreen]

The PE Super 27 should put you in that territory with decent wood. Our neighbor typically is getting 10 hrs. without really trying. But that may not help if heat loss is great.

 

[Dix]

True, the 13 is an awesome stove, but best burn time is 6 hours or so with primo firewood..

I'm in the same boat with the 13, looking for a bigger stove with longer burn time. Trying to find info on the Englander Madison.

Also going to get the oil burner up & running for back up. It's time.

 

[husky345 vermont resolute]

I just purchased a drolet Classic and love it. It has a 2.4 cu foot firebox that I can get great burn times out of . Plus the price of the stove is much lower then some of its competitors

 

[Woody Stover]

There's not much in the attic either woody. I'm planning to blow some up there before winter and seal up around some doors and windows better. I did change windows out a couple years ago to double pane and that helped a good bit.

When we put attic insulation in here, the difference was huge! Your most cost-effective solution is going to be to tighten up your envelope and keep the heat inside. That will be equivalent to having a longer burn time. It will pay off in the summer, too. These are great for sealing up around doors. They screw into the wooden jamb and the door closes against the vinyl bulb (don't press it too tight against the door when installing, or you won't be able to shut the door. They are adjustable, though.)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/MD-Build...Weatherstrip-Kit-69938/205545482?N=5yc1vZc3dy

What do you recommend on the cat line? I'm not very knowledgable on those stoves at all.

I've only had the old Dutchwest, the two Woodstocks, and the big Buck 91. I think it would be hard to beat the Keystone for your size house, if you went the cat route. Great little stove. You can see the cat glowing from the couch, has a great ash handling system, the glass stays fairly clean....and you could double your burn time. But I would do the weather sealing first and see what that yields. Seems like in your climate, that might be enough.