I can't believe my folks are getting a new woodstove - Jotul F3 CB

[drewmo]

It's been 22 years since they bought their house, and this old Jotul has been a true champion all those years. Over the years, a crack has been noticeable in the door and a couple of days ago the spring assembly on the door hinge gave out. It's a real struggle to close the door now. They've ordered a JotulF3 CB and I'm wondering what sort of learning curve they will have. Although it takes 16" splits, it sounds like it has a pretty small firebox. My dad is all about stuffing in an "overnighter" and I'm afraid this might not meet his expectations in terms of burn time. But, at the same time, with a more efficient stove, I'm also concerned it might put out too much heat for them. I don't have the square footage of the area this will heat, but it will heat a relatively small area downstairs. Although this includes the kitchen, dining room and living room, this portion of the house was originally a camp and really is not as big as what you find in a typical home. The upstairs loft was converted into a TV room and is likewise pretty small. They made several addition to the house, but none that are directly affected by the heat from the stove. Is this a good stove given the few details I've been able to provide?

 

[Slow1]

How does he handle his wood supply? The most common thing I've noticed around here when folks have been burning for xx years (where there are two digits involved) then switch to an EPA stove they are shocked by the need for dry wood. The "I bought this seasoned wood this summer" or "Cut in spring, burn in fall" wood just won't make the grade and that leads to frustration with the new stove. With wood that is not dry stuffing that 'all nighter' in there won't get them heat all night... might get them smouldering but....

 

[begreen]

The F3CB has a small 1 cu ft firebox. I don't think it will out heat the old Jotul #1. There will be a learning curve for them. And I agree that they may be seeing shorter burn times with the new stove.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Isn't the old Jotul a pretty big stove? The F3 is a small stove. This could be a big problem. Who pointed them in this direction?

 

[begreen]

I'm not sure about the Combifire 1's capacity but would guess it to be around 2 cu ft. It was a decent heater. Based on what I know so far I would have steered them toward an Alderlea T5 or other similar 2 cu ft stove. The F3CB can put out good heat, but if you are pushing it the burn times are short.

 

[bostock]

The F3 is a great stove - but small. If they need overnight burns, it's probably going to disappoint. I love my F3 - attractive, solid, not hard to learn - but its not really an overnight workhorse like your parents might be looking for.

 

[rdust]

I can see your dad being very unhappy with this switch. Besides for size and wood supply which has been brought up what type of chimney is he venting into right now? The new stoves need a good fuel supply and a chimney that is sized properly. If one of those is wrong things will not go well.

If they want an overnight burn they want a stove in the 2 cubic foot+ range.

 

[drewmo]

The area the stove heats is the "living" area, i.e. this is where they spend their waking hours. I think keeping the stove going through the course of the day probably wouldn't be too difficult. What I would like to stress to them is that if they're expecting the stove to keep this area at 60+ degrees overnight, it might not happen. They have oil as back up, so keeping the area at a moderate temp would not be difficult, just costly. It's good to know that the stove lights easily and is easy to learn. They're working with a respectable stove shop, but perhaps they should request a site visit to figure out the most appropriate stove.

 

[Light in the Dark]

Might want to see if they are able to upgrade through the dealer to the next size up or so..

 

[BrotherBart]

Got one and they are not going to be happy after the Combifire. The F400 at the least. I like the F3. But only three or four hours at a time for good heat and a couple of hours of not so good heat.

 

[drewmo]

Thanks, everyone. They haven't paid for the stove yet and installation is scheduled in two weeks, so there's time. Again, given the limited info, what other makes/models might be comparable. They really have loved their old Jotul and consider it a HUGE part of the family. This is a big step and I want to make sure they're happy.

 

[BrowningBAR]

I'd go with the Oslo and not look back.

 

[BrotherBart]

Yeah. One thing you will have to deal with is when they are burning the new stove right they will think all of those flames are wasting wood and heat. Gonna be a learning curve no matter what stove they get.

But the F3 will be under powered any way they go.

 

[begreen]

How large is their living area that is being heated and how tall is the chimney above the thimble?

 

[ArsenalDon]

Have them take a serious look at QuadraFire. We compared to Jotul and found comparable quality with a much lower price tag. We love the looks and performance from our Isle Royal. The Isle Royal is one of the larger models and it heats our 3000 sq foot house just fine.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Have them take a serious look at QuadraFire. We compared to Jotul and found comparable quality with a much lower price tag. We love the looks and performance from our Isle Royal. The Isle Royal is one of the larger models and it heats our 3000 sq foot house just fine.

Jotul and Quadrafire are both fine stoves. If they like the Jotul line that will serve them well. The concern is the size of the stove that they selected.

 

[firefighterjake]

Anolther vote for going up another size or so . . . I don't think they will be happy with the heat output or with having to load it as often.

And as others have said . . . giving them a heads up on the need for good fuel and how to run the stove differently than the old school stoves will be essential to their happiness . . .

 

[bostock]

if they love the Jotuls and they like their stove dealer - upsize it. My Oslo will give me overnights without any problem. And for what it's worth, regarding a learning curve - I believe that with the glass front (on any stove) the learning period is much quicker - you can use your eyes to know whats going on, adjust air, adjust fuel, etc.

 

[Jags]

Not much to add other than another vote for a bigger stove. The F3 is a great little stove, stress on the "LITTLE" part. Jotul is a great stove - if they like them, then stick with it. Go Oslo.

 

[drewmo]

Well, they went with the F3. After fair warning thanks to my friends here, my old man was still surprised at the small firebox. His overnighters don't fit into the stove, so there's been a little ax work to get them to size. And there's been some trial and error on how best to load the stove, and there's a need now to monitor the depth of the coal bed. But, the overall consensus between my folks is that the stove will suit them just fine. First, the burn times are no different with the new stove compared to the old stove. The big difference is the F3, by my dad's estimation, burns about 1/2 to 2/3 less wood than the older stove, and puts off comparable heat. He is in absolute shock over this. Second, loading the stove with smaller splits is much easier. My mom is especially grateful for this. Finally, a stove with a fire view is what they've wanted for some time.

They're happy, and in the end, that's what really matters.

 

[BrotherBart]

Glad to hear it.

 

[tfdchief]

They're happy, and in the end, that's what really matters.

That is the best part of this story!

 

[fishingpol]

I just want to add that if they load it up at night, once it is up to cruising temp, close down the primary air in increments until closed and they should have usable coals in the morning. A few inches of ash left in the firebox will help keep some alive in the morning. I've been using the "tunnel of love" in the center where the start up air enters the door and it has worked out well. One or two splits sitting on coals raked forward and she should get going fine.

Easy stove to run, yes, small firebox, but throws some decent heat. Good luck.