Need advice on choosing a wood stove

[Hearthstone 99]

Hi I’m new on here and need advice on choosing a wood stove. We have a 23 years old hearthstone heritage, it’s a good stove in many ways, and I’ve learned it’s quirks, but it’s not very efficient and when it’s cold starting it tends to leak wisps of smoke from the back.
So we have been looking at stoves and trying to decide which one to have and take advantage of the 26% tax credit. Funny how the prices have all gone up too ? So I like the Osburn stoves, and Jotel but Jotel stoves are expensive! We haven’t felt too impressed with the people selling them either, I swear I’d make a better salesman because I love my wood stove and chopping wood and it’s so frustrating
I don’t want a catalyst stove, I don’t want a blower, the wife sitting next to me by the fire telling me about her day is enough, ( ❤️ Love her lots ) I just want a stove that’s reliable , 26% tax back, can heat a 30 by 20 by 10 living room with kitchen at the back of it,and hallway to the bedrooms.
I’m leaning towards the Oslo because it has a heat shield and my wife likes the look , what do you think ? Appreciate your feedback

 

[begreen]

Osburn stoves are good and some qualify for the tax credit. The Jotul F45 would be a good replacement for the Heritage and it has a better track record than the new F500v3 so far.

 

[bholler]

Hi I’m new on here and need advice on choosing a wood stove. We have a 23 years old hearthstone heritage, it’s a good stove in many ways, and I’ve learned it’s quirks, but it’s not very efficient and when it’s cold starting it tends to leak wisps of smoke from the back.
So we have been looking at stoves and trying to decide which one to have and take advantage of the 26% tax credit. Funny how the prices have all gone up too ? So I like the Osburn stoves, and Jotel but Jotel stoves are expensive! We haven’t felt too impressed with the people selling them either, I swear I’d make a better salesman because I love my wood stove and chopping wood and it’s so frustrating
I don’t want a catalyst stove, I don’t want a blower, the wife sitting next to me by the fire telling me about her day is enough, ( ❤️ Love her lots ) I just want a stove that’s reliable , 26% tax back, can heat a 30 by 20 by 10 living room with kitchen at the back of it,and hallway to the bedrooms.
I’m leaning towards the Oslo because it has a heat shield and my wife likes the look , what do you think ? Appreciate your feedback

The current oslo has a cat and one that has been problematic. What is your chimney setup like? Smoke leaking from the stove makes me think low draft or lack of adequate makeup air

 

[stoveliker]

So, after figuring out what works for your chimney, get one that the wife likes. Happy wife, happy life.

Seriously as.long as you buy a stove.with a decent reputation (e.g. Osburn or its value brand Droplet, Pacific Energy) or another good brand that appeals to your wife, you'll be ok.

There will be a learning curve (again).

 

[EbS-P]

My Jotul is 4 years old and I like it. However, I don’t think I would buy one again. I bought it because it fit and it was white and I run one before. I did a lot of reading of manuals on my own only finding this forum after it was installed. As a company I’m not impressed how they handled the 2020 EPA regulations. The simplicity that was the a reason I chose my F400 does not exist in their medium and large stoves. You are not the first person to comment on the lackluster dealer experience. It’s like Jotul doesn’t even care about customer. Being on this forum I have seen first hand how manufacturers can interact and help their customers. Jotul should take take some notes.

So I would not buy the F500 v3. It looks amazing but I want a solid performer more than a looker.

I spent two years shopping for a second stove. I ended up with a Drolet Cost and reputation the main factors.

The tax credit stipulation does limit your choices. Take a look at pacific energy T5 and ask if it’s worth the cost difference between it an the F500 with the tax credit.

At the end of the day your experience using the stove is different than looking at it. Having a positive experience with both is important but there can be trade offs. Don’t settle yet. Keep shopping but make a decision soon. Availability is going to be tight.

 

[stoveliker]

That last paragraph! Talk to folks (here and elsewhere) using the stove you are considering.

 

[Hearthstone 99]

The current oslo has a cat and one that has been problematic. What is your chimney setup like? Smoke leaking from the stove makes me think low draft or lack of adequate makeup

The chimney could do with being replaced and maybe a little higher, but I think it’s the stove itself, maybe a seal because the start up smoke comes from the back top left just a wisp nothing serious

 

[Hearthstone 99]

My Jotul is 4 years old and I like it. However, I don’t think I would buy one again. I bought it because it fit and it was white and I run one before. I did a lot of reading of manuals on my own only finding this forum after it was installed. As a company I’m not impressed how they handled the 2020 EPA regulations. The simplicity that was the a reason I chose my F400 does not exist in their medium and large stoves. You are not the first person to comment on the lackluster dealer experience. It’s like Jotul doesn’t even care about customer. Being on this forum I have seen first hand how manufacturers can interact and help their customers. Jotul should take take some notes.

So I would not buy the F500 v3. It looks amazing but I want a solid performer more than a looker.

I spent two years shopping for a second stove. I ended up with a Drolet Cost and reputation the main factors.

The tax credit stipulation does limit your choices. Take a look at pacific energy T5 and ask if it’s worth the cost difference between it an the F500 with the tax credit.

At the end of the day your experience using the stove is different than looking at it. Having a positive experience with both is important but there can be trade offs. Don’t settle yet. Keep shopping but make a decision soon. Availability is going to be tight.

Yes I thought of the T5 or 6 but the dealer doesn’t have good reviews so that put me off

 

[Hearthstone 99]

I liked the 3500 thinking it could heat the whole upstairs and long burn times but it doesn’t have a heat shield which meant the hearth would have to come forward a lot, which my wife didn’t like , the sales manager seemed a little confused about how much forward, first he said 18” then later said at least 11.5” , and it would mean having an elbow joint in the flue. The guy didn’t seem to know the product very well or which stoves qualified for the tax credit which put us off a bit so we backed off to think
Maybe the 2000 ? But even that stove is pretty deep and no heat shield hence the Oslo !

 

[EbS-P]

Do you have single or double wall stove pipe? You don’t have to use the blower even if it has one.

I’d be tempted to replace replace single wall with double if I utilizing the tax credit. Here is a link to the Drolet escape 2100. It’s a big stove and with double wall I think it has a 6” rear clearance. Tax credit eligible, big at 3.5 cu ft. It’s not a work of art but it’s price is attractive. (I have the 1800 version as an insert). https://www.drolet.ca/us/en/wood-stoves/db03129/

Blaze king is another brand to look at if you are ok with a cat stove the. BK Ashford Is good looking. https://www.blazeking.com/products/wood-stoves/ashford-30/

I would make a spread sheet of the stoves you are looking at. List the rear clearance in it and a link to the website and manual. Sorry to say it but chances are you will probably know more about the different models than the sales people if you do your due diligence.

 

[Hearthstone 99]

Do you have single or double wall stove pipe? You don’t have to use the blower even if it has one.

I’d be tempted to replace replace single wall with double if I utilizing the tax credit. Here is a link to the Drolet escape 2100. It’s a big stove and with double wall I think it has a 6” rear clearance. Tax credit eligible, big at 3.5 cu ft. It’s not a work of art but it’s price is attractive. (I have the 1800 version as an insert). https://www.drolet.ca/us/en/wood-stoves/db03129/

Blaze king is another brand to look at if you are ok with a cat stove the. BK Ashford Is good looking. https://www.blazeking.com/products/wood-stoves/ashford-30/

I would make a spread sheet of the stoves you are looking at. List the rear clearance in it and a link to the website and manual. Sorry to say it but chances are you will probably know more about the different models than the sales people if you do your due diligence.

It’s a double wall pipe but all the dealers we have spoken to have quoted us for full replacement of the chimney because it’s 23 years old
I’ll take a look at those stoves thanks

 

[begreen]

Yes I thought of the T5 or 6 but the dealer doesn’t have good reviews so that put me off

Those stoves are built on the Super and Summit fireboxes. They have an excellent reputation. The dealer is mistaken. I have only read a couple of negative reviews for them and they were due to the user and firewood, not the stove. Our T6 is going on 14 yrs old and performing well.

 

[bigealta]

Maybe a pre 2020 used oslo, or jotul 45. Guys here have scored a couple of these in great used condition. (including me with a jotul f400.)

 

[Hearthstone 99]

I’ve got the local Jotel technician coming next week to give an estimate for a Greenville it’s about the same size as our old heritage stove , it looks like it has good reviews and moderator has no issues so we’ll see

 

[Hearthstone 99]

Those stoves are built on the Super and Summit fireboxes. They have an excellent reputation. The dealer is mistaken. I have only read a couple of negative reviews for them and they were due to the user and firewood, not the stove. Our T6 is going on 14 yrs old and performing well.

Local PE doesn’t have any in showroom only inserts and VC and I don’t like their reviews

 

[begreen]

The PE is definitely much lower maintenance and easier to use. It's going to be hard to see one in the store unless there are multiple dealers in the area and one has one. Inventory is hard to keep on the floor right now. If the dealer is motivated, perhaps they can supply a customer reference with one that you could contact?

 

[TomRC]

I'm a researchaholic and was clueless about wood stoves. Did a TON.....a TON of research on a wood stove including most of the names mentioned in thread for my new house. One brand though kept popping up over and over in terms of reliability and efficiency and overall customer happiness after the fact.........KUMA. Installed a Kuma last fall and it is wonderful. If there is not a Kuma dealer in your area they will more than likely drop ship one to you which is what they did for me and you should be able to find someone qualified to do the install. Just a GREAT company..........highly recommended!

 

[Hoytman]

I'm a researchaholic and was clueless about wood stoves. Did a TON.....a TON of research on a wood stove including most of the names mentioned in thread for my new house. One brand though kept popping up over and over in terms of reliability and efficiency and overall customer happiness after the fact.........KUMA. Installed a Kuma last fall and it is wonderful. If there is not a Kuma dealer in your area they will more than likely drop ship one to you which is what they did for me and you should be able to find someone qualified to do the install. Just a GREAT company..........highly recommended!

Which model did you get? What are your burn times with it?

 

[begreen]

Tom, when you get a chance could you post a short review in the Ratings section. That helps others considering a new stove. https://www.hearth.com/talk/ratings/

 

[TomRC]

Which model did you get? What are your burn times with it?

I got the Kuma Tamarack with legs, the ash box and Duravent DVL double wall pipe. I read a lot of people thought the ash boxes were not worth adding to wood stoves in general but I found it incredibly convenient. Made is so easy to clean out ashes everyday. I'm in western KY so not that cold but cold enough. Ran the stove pretty much everyday starting in November with the last burn in April and it was for the most part was my only source of heat. During the day I might turn my electric heat on for a 15 or 20 minutes to bring the temp up a tad (out of laziness) but that was it. My house is a pole barn post frame metal home approx. 1100 sq ft with spray foam insulation open concept with 15' vaulted ceilings. Never checked actual burn times but I would normally put a couple big splits on late around 10:30 or 11pm and when I'd get up the next morning the fire was pretty much out (still coals) but the stove still hot and even when it dropped to single digits I'd still wake up 65 to 68 degree temps inside the house which was comfortable. I have separate detached garage (no wood stove) about the same size as my house pulling power and my highest electric bill this past winter was around $70

There was a Kuma dealer about an hour and half from me but the owner retired and shut down just before I was ready to order. Ended up dealing with Jason at Kuma who was INCREDIBLY helpful and they direct shipped the stove and then I was able to find a qualified installer so even if you don't have a Kuma dealer near you I would not cross them off the list. They are a smaller company but have been around for a long time and during my research I don't think I found any negative comments and they are at or near the top of the EPA efficiency list.