Need some Advice on Possible New Stove

[pbtwait]

Hello Everyone,

I posted on here about some stack problems I was having with my Fisher Papa Bear woodstove. Thanks for all the advice, stove works great and has been our Only source of heat this winter with Temps down to -15F several mornings already. Love the heat output from the stove, but have been going through alot of wood, which is free, except for time and gas, but would rather use less wood, and get a more even heat without having to get up during the night to refill the stove. Combine this with the 30% tax credit and I think its time to start looking/saving $$. We live in a 25X30 log cabin, with an open floor plan, cathedral ceiling and 2 lofts. So even though square foot wise the heating area seems small, in reality it is quite large, especially considering -30F winter temps and 3 sided log walls (no interior wall insulation, but natural logs) are variables. Some of the possibilities I have been looking at are:

1. Blazeking Princess-Like the idea of 20 hr low burn and the abiltiy to have different temp settings as it can be -30 to +45 in a matter of days here. Sterling, AK. Dont like the appearance of it as much as some stoves, and the price is nearly that of a woodstock.

2. Woodstock Fireview- Looks like a beautiful stove, with not as long a burn time as the Princess. However 12 hrs is plenty as we just are looking for heat throught the night, or when we are at work. Price with shipping to Alaska is $2800, ouch!! but the tax credit makes it look better. Also appears that cat is cheaper to replace than the blazeking. May have to save for this one until summer, which is probably when I will purchase anyway, as the Fisher is working and we know its tendencies for this winter.

3. Other stove, cat or not, with a long even burn time. Suggestions appreciated!!

Thanks,

Paul

 

[Wet1]

Paul,

In your climate, I don't know that the Fireview will be enough stove for you. You wont be getting 12 hour burns out of it when the weather gets sub-zero, that's for sure! I'd go with the BK since it's very proven in your neck of the woods. I would also consider steeping up to the King model if you want longer burn times. The King will burn just about as low as the Princess, but will burn significantly longer with its larger load of wood. In your climate, it wont be too much stove. Both models should save you a lot of wood compared to the Fisher you're using now. Regarding price, you might want to contact Wolfkiller here on the board. I think he's in North Pole and paid considerably less than the numbers you're quoting for his King.

 

[pbtwait]

Thanks for the info. I was concerned about the Woodstock's output as well. As far as price goes I think the Princess ran around $2300 locally or close to the price of the Fireview, of couse that was before shipping. If the King is in the same price area as the Princess it sounds like that may be the better option, especially if it can be set to a low to save wood yet still heat the house on days like today when its +35F outside. Ten days ago when it was -15 the fisher kept us comfortable, now the house is plenty warm when the fire is on low temp, or in the creosote area on our rutland thermometer. When the fire gets up into the 350F range time to open the door. Will check into pricing on the King in Anchorage. Would have change my flue to an 8 inch from 6 for the King, I think?

 

[Wet1]

The King might be a little much for those 50°F days, but living in a log cabin with lofts and routinely having temps WELL below freezing, you'll be fine with the larger BK. It will burn lower than your Fisher will. I'd expect the King to be a couple hundred more than the Princess. If you have to have the install inspected, you'll need to switch to 8". If not, well, let's just say there are plenty of people burning a BKK with a 6" flue...

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Paul, although I love the Fireview and do think it might possibly work for you, because of your cabin and your climate, I have to agree with Wet1 on this.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Heck, you may need 2 of them running in an uninsulated cabin with cathedral ceilings when it's -45!

Matt

 

[BrowningBAR]

Coldest I've experienced was -10. Exactly what does -45 feel like.

 

[begreen]

Numb. There is no feeling at -45.

 

[Chargerman]

It was -30 below without the windchill here last year. Nice thing is when it warms to 0 it almost seems like summer.

Those kind of temps are one of the reasons I just bought my 2nd BBF for the basement.

 

[tickbitty]

How about the Blaze King classic - biggest firebox - 80 lbs of wood load! (insert Tim Allen grunting sound effect)

 

[pbtwait]

Did I say -45, oops, never that cold here!! Up in Fairbanks it gets even colder than that though!! What I meant was +45. Here in southcentral AK, Kenai Peninsula, we have wide temp variations. Last winter there were a few -30F mornings, a week later it was thawing outside, only to get cold again. Average here is probably 10-15F through the winter which would be ideal. Of course I need a stove that will work at either extreme. Hate hearing the forced air gas heater kick on!! So far I havent heard it since September when we put in our new stack. Will be nice to get that more efficient stove though...The fisher will cook you out on a day like today, 35f...(Zero does feel great after -30f, my wife and I often go to Fla in February, and are too hot @70...It really is relative)

 

[[email protected]]

Our weather here is similar to yours. It swings widely throughout the fall winter and spring. Don't remember -35 but -20 with windchill is pretty common. I'm exited to battle some of that this year. It's my first year with a stove since I was a kid.

You'll have to keep us up to date with what you get and how it works for you.