When we saw Granny last time, she was on the roof installing her liner... That was more than four weeks ago. The 1800 sq-ft Pleasant Hearth is new, so some of you wanted opinions...
I am pleased, and I feel I got my money's worth. The stove seems to like to sit and purr at 400 to 500 stovetop, and when I open the door to add wood, I think I'm in a Johnstown steel mill, at the door of the blast furnace. I use the blower only when I'm upstairs; I don't care for the noise. I'd rather listen to what the fire has to say.
The firebox is small. Four splits fit reasonably; six is pushing it. Since I'm around most days, though, I don't mind keeping an eye on the fire and tossing in a new split or two now and again. I don't pack it to the roof at night, but I will put in a larger load than my daytime loads. I assemble the nighttime fire around 10:45 and watch the 11:00 news. I listen to Leno's monologue, dial the air intake back, then hit the sack. I'll still have hot coals in the morning, but I help the morning fire with a Rutland Safe Lite Fire Starter Square (neat, no mess). Sometimes I use homemade firestarters I make from paraffin and shredded bills (whaddaya know? A good use for bills!)
When the really cold weather sets in (maybe this week already) I will set up my camping cot in the basement and feed baby at 2 a.m. With my stove in the basement, it does take a few hours to get the upstairs warmed up.
I'm enjoying the basement. I bring my laptop down here and make my rounds of the 'net. I'll have morning coffee in my hanging chair or in the rocking chair. I brought a TV down here for news, crime solving and music... Right now I'm listening to New Age music on Sonic TAP (DirecTV).
My three dogs have staked out napping spots right in front of the stove. That may change if I drop a split on someone's head... The way I have to go thru contortions to reload, I might qualify for the Twister World Championship.
Pleasant Hearth gets a thumbs up from me. The only problem I've had involved the knob for the air intake. I found that you have to hold your mouth right to move it.
So... I'm happy. It does what a $629 stove should (I got a discount). In a year or two I think I'll close in the back porch and put one out there, too. That would be all kinds of special.
Granny will now take questions... Yes, you in the back? Speak up, please.
I am pleased, and I feel I got my money's worth. The stove seems to like to sit and purr at 400 to 500 stovetop, and when I open the door to add wood, I think I'm in a Johnstown steel mill, at the door of the blast furnace. I use the blower only when I'm upstairs; I don't care for the noise. I'd rather listen to what the fire has to say.
The firebox is small. Four splits fit reasonably; six is pushing it. Since I'm around most days, though, I don't mind keeping an eye on the fire and tossing in a new split or two now and again. I don't pack it to the roof at night, but I will put in a larger load than my daytime loads. I assemble the nighttime fire around 10:45 and watch the 11:00 news. I listen to Leno's monologue, dial the air intake back, then hit the sack. I'll still have hot coals in the morning, but I help the morning fire with a Rutland Safe Lite Fire Starter Square (neat, no mess). Sometimes I use homemade firestarters I make from paraffin and shredded bills (whaddaya know? A good use for bills!)
When the really cold weather sets in (maybe this week already) I will set up my camping cot in the basement and feed baby at 2 a.m. With my stove in the basement, it does take a few hours to get the upstairs warmed up.
I'm enjoying the basement. I bring my laptop down here and make my rounds of the 'net. I'll have morning coffee in my hanging chair or in the rocking chair. I brought a TV down here for news, crime solving and music... Right now I'm listening to New Age music on Sonic TAP (DirecTV).
My three dogs have staked out napping spots right in front of the stove. That may change if I drop a split on someone's head... The way I have to go thru contortions to reload, I might qualify for the Twister World Championship.
Pleasant Hearth gets a thumbs up from me. The only problem I've had involved the knob for the air intake. I found that you have to hold your mouth right to move it.
So... I'm happy. It does what a $629 stove should (I got a discount). In a year or two I think I'll close in the back porch and put one out there, too. That would be all kinds of special.
Granny will now take questions... Yes, you in the back? Speak up, please.
