Does anyone own Freestanding Osburn Matrix, PE Neo, or Regency CS2400?

[williaty]

We're down to considering just these three stoves. Does anyone on here have the freestanding version of the Osburn Matrix (preferably with the soapstone panels), the Pacific Energy Neo 2.5, or the Regency CS2400?

If you do, what has your experience with the stove been? What have you learned? What do you wish you had known before buying? Is there anything you feel I should think about?


Thanks as usual.

 

[jeffesonm]

I had the Matrix flush insert and really liked it. I ended up swapping it for a freestanding stove because I was tired of hearing the blower, but overall I was very pleased with the stove and suspect I'll own another one day.

 

[OHutton]

I like my matrix insert. One thing I'd look at is the firebox depth on those models and get one with a deep firebox. The matrix says 16" but it's really 14" because Osburn counts the glass. The problem is, nobody sticks the logs that close. Anyway, the reason you want some depth in there is because the Matrix as well as most other stoves burn best with loaded N/S (north/south) or front to back. If you buy your wood you'll most likely get 16"-18" pieces which will be too long to load N/S. For overnight burns, I pack the Matrix full, but you can only get so much in there E/W because of the risk of it falling into the glass.

It seems like a trivial thing, but it makes a big difference in everyday wood burning operation. It's more of a non-issue if you process your own wood, or only burn occasionally.