Little help with stove choice...

[Shadow&Flame]

Well, I am almost there...just a bit more work and I should be ready to get my insert.

I have narrowed the field down to two possible stoves. I have stated before that my home is not well suited for a stove due to the fireplace being in a smaller room. That is why I thought I would try and get some input from owners of the two stoves.

There is a realy nice couple that deal in Buck stoves that I am going with...they are local and dealing in an American product. Trying to keep my money in the neighborhood.
I am going to put in either a Buck 21 or a Buck 74 insert and wanted to know if the 74 would be too large. All of my wood would have to be cut down in order to fit into the 21. It is all between 20-22" long and I have over 3 cord of seasoned wood. I also prefer the larger firebox for longer burns but don't want to be baked out of my home either... Is it foolish to put a 2.6cf stove in a 240sqf w/8' ceiling room with bad air flow? I know I am going to have to use fans and maybe some sort of vent system...they are in the works no matter the stove I choose...

Any and all input is appreciated...

S&F

 

[begreen]

In this situation the stove is going to be mostly a small area heater. I would get the Buck 21, and a chop saw.

 

[dafattkidd]

BeGreen is the guru. So he's probably right. But my two cents would be if it's not significantly more expensive you can always build a small fire in a larger box. Also I love being able to work with long splits with no worries about cutting them down. Either way i really love the fact that you'll be buying a product from pleasant local people.

 

[ddddddden]

How 'bout a catalytic stove, which offers better control of the burn for lower output when you want less heat? Buck model 20 or model 80.

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I have a Buck 74 in a room about the same size as yours. I can easily get the room to 90F. I can also build small fires and keep at a temp I want it. I use this stove to supplement my gas fired boiler. My house is a ranch with the stove in the basement. The stoves warms the entire basement nicely as well as the upstairs. It works out nice as I have a centrally located stairway for heat to travel up. The stove is an insert in an exterior masonry chimney.

The even nicer part of it was going from 200+ gas bill to 75 bux. The house is only 1600 sqft but the Buck does very nicely! Last hear we heated from late November to mid March(ran out of dry wood) with only 2ish cords. We don't burn 24/7, would like but schedules make it difficult.

If I can only get the wife to learn the stove. She keeps the air wide open and goes through wood like paper, oh well, maybe this year?

 

[begreen]

If this were MA, or ME I might be ok with the Buck 74, but a small room in a warmer climate doesn't warrant the bigger stove just for a few cords of wood. Yes, you can burn smaller fires, but to always have to burn smaller fires is both inefficient and a PITA. Remember, you started out looking at the Lopi Answer as the desired stove.

 

[BrowningBAR]

If this were MA, or ME I might be ok with the Buck 74, but a small room in a warmer climate doesn't warrant the bigger stove just for a few cords of wood. Yes, you can burn smaller fires, but to always have to burn smaller fires is both inefficient and a PITA. Remember, you started out looking at the Lopi Answer as the desired stove.

Exactly. Average highs in 'Central Arkansas' for December, January, and February is 53°, 50°, and 56°. For most of us, that is barely shoulder season. Going with a 2.6 cu ft firebox in a small room with bad air flow will be a pain.

Go with the model 21 and get the blower to help move some air... along with some fans.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess it was just wishful thinking, but I knew I needed a smaller stove than that. Just have to work thru the wood and re-size for a smaller stove. Just loved the idea of having that extra room to play with. Not much N/S burning in a 11" deep stove for me...

As for the Cat stoves, I am just not fond of the idea. Never had one or seen one in operation, so I guess I am just skeptical.

Yes we run on the warm side down here...that is a fact. Arkansas weather motto is "If you don't like the weather wait a day and it will change". You might be wearing shorts one day and a coat the next in the winter here.

Have good one...

S&F

 

[begreen]

How deep is the Buck 21's firebox? I thought it could handle a 16" log N/S, but could be wrong. If you are at the store could you measure the firebox and let us know?

Buck has been making cat stoves for a while. It might be worth looking at the Buck Model 20 cat stove while talking with the dealer. It should burn cleaner and longer at low burns.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

I am not at the dealer at the moment, but I do have a brochure in front of me. It states on the back that the max log length is 18" E/W and 11" N/S 1.6cf firebox.

Mod 20 Cat is 16" E/W and 15" N/S and is $400 more expensive.

S&F

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

Oops! Didn't look at the location... The wife would like 50's in December.

 

[Beetle-Kill]

I am not at the dealer at the moment, but I do have a brochure in front of me. It states on the back that the max log length is 18" E/W and 11" N/S 1.6cf firebox.

Mod 20 Cat is 16" E/W and 15" N/S and is $400 more expensive.

S&F

My 2 cents= Model 20. No need to be sceptical of a CAT stove, you'll have it figured out in no time. Pluses- your wood can be cut to a uniform length (14"), so no problems in the future with that. Longer burn times? Not familiar with the M-20, but my BK "can" burn a loooong time if I want it to. Have you looked at the Blaze King Chinook? The numbers will state it's bigger than you need (capacity wise), but you can turn it's output down and end up with a comfortable temp. range. Just a thought. JB

 

[dafattkidd]

I didn't realize how mild arkansas winters are. Begreen is right. That is a PITA.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

Arkansas is a major retirement place for people...money goes farther here and weather is mild. Until you face the heat of summer of course...good wood drying weather thou...ha

One of the main problems in Arkansas is the weather shift from warm to cold and high humidity. Makes it feel much colder when it goes from 60 down to 10 at night with 80-90% humidity. I am indeed looking into a smaller stove (knew that from the start really) and also into a CAT stove. The limiting factor around here is availability of stoves and installers... I was going to go with a buck stove because the dealers are local and friendly people. They don't offer Blaze King anywhere close to here...

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[begreen]

I don't think you'll go wrong with the Buck. They make good solid stoves.

 

[ddddddden]

Good for you for being flexible enough to consider a cat stove! I really think that a cat is what would best fit your needs. If the Model 20 doesn't do it for you, take a look at the Woodstock stoves. They specialize in small cat stoves that burn for 10 hours. Dealership is a non-issue, since they only do mail-order. Installation might be an issue, if you are in a remote location and don't DIY. . .your local shop might be happy to have the work though, especially if you buy your chimney from them. . .they might make more on the install than the stove sale.

 

[ddddddden]

. . .just remembered that you are looking for an insert, so disregard half of what I just said. . .unless you want to consider mounting a stove on the hearth in front of the fireplace.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

BeGreen- Thank you for your input... I would think most any of the stoves I could pick will sure beat the hell out of that huge fireplace I have now...

Den- I am open to all advice and stoves. I am still looking around and taking everything into consideration. I am going to run by the dealers and have a talk with him about a Buck mod 20 Cat. Get the pros and cons to both. I am pretty sure I am either going with the Buck 21 or the Buck 20 depending on what I find out...if I choose to go with a buck in the end. Wont start getting cold here at night until November, so I still have some time to play with. They dont seem all that keen on installing a stove they dont carry...like the Englander brand. I can understand that but I think I could still talk them into doing it.

Thanks

 

[raybonz]

BeGreen- Thank you for your input... I would think most any of the stoves I could pick will sure beat the hell out of that huge fireplace I have now...

Den- I am open to all advice and stoves. I am still looking around and taking everything into consideration. I am going to run by the dealers and have a talk with him about a Buck mod 20 Cat. Get the pros and cons to both. I am pretty sure I am either going with the Buck 21 or the Buck 20 depending on what I find out...if I choose to go with a buck in the end. Wont start getting cold here at night until November, so I still have some time to play with. They dont seem all that keen on installing a stove they dont carry...like the Englander brand. I can understand that but I think I could still talk them into doing it.

Thanks

Many people here use the Englanders and from all I have seen and read they have to be the best value stove around.. Decent looks and good quality plus good support.. Their part prices are reasonable as well plus 5 year warranty.. I was snooping at their site last night and noticed they have a maintenance special for certain parts so you can rebuild their stoves at a discounted price and free shipping.. Hard to beat that!

Ray

 

[Shadow&Flame]

I am still looking at the Englander 13NCI and like models. It says they take 18" logs...I figure that is E/W but how big can you put in N/S? I am going to have a struggle getting an install on it but its still an option...

 

[Beetle-Kill]

I am still looking at the Englander 13NCI and like models. It says they take 18" logs...I figure that is E/W but how big can you put in N/S? I am going to have a struggle getting an install on it but its still an option...

Mines not installed yet, but I've cut about 2 cord to a 10" length for the NC-13, strictly for N/S loading. Random lengths up to 18" will have to go E/W.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

When I get a stove it will sure be a change from the fireplace. Its 42"W x 27" T X 24" D not much worry about size of firewood in there...ha I just cant think of a stove being only 10-11" that is pretty shallow to me...now you know why I wanted the extra room of a 2.6cf stove.

 

[Beetle-Kill]

When I get a stove it will sure be a change from the fireplace. Its 42"W x 27" T X 24" D not much worry about size of firewood in there...ha I just cant think of a stove being only 10-11" that is pretty shallow to me...now you know why I wanted the extra room of a 2.6cf stove.

Looking forward to see what you decide on. My closest neighbor I'm supplying with wood, she REALLY needs an insert, just need to convince her.

BTW- Love the Sig. lines. That's T-Shirt slogan material.

 

[Shadow&Flame]

BK- Its a tough choice to make with all the stoves out there and not knowing anything about stoves. I just hope I don't regret getting the stove I pick...that would suck.

Like those do ya... Cant claim the first one. I heard it somewhere just cant remember where.
Second one is all mine...say it all the time.

Have a good one...