New Englander NC-30 it is.

[Rockey]

I just found a deal on craigslist that I can't pass up. A New Englander NC-30 never installed, burned 1 time to cure the paint for $600.00. If it isn't enough to keep the wife in a thong all winter then I'll find another (wife or stove??).

I've posted before and was only entertaining thoughts of zc fireplaces with optional ducting because I will be heating from the basement and pushing close to 4000 sq ft to heat. There was a suggestion to try the NC-30 since I already have an insert on the 1st floor and would only need to burn both when the temp drops below 20 degrees at night, maybe 15-20 nights a year. I'm going to insulate the basement in the next couple of months and get the stove installed and ready for winter. I'm already anxious to try it out. i plan on picking it up on Friday afternoon.

My question is - should I use the insert the way I have been for the past couple of years and only burn the Englander when the temps warrant it or should I burn the Englander most of the time and use the insert for the supplemental heat? Any suggestions?

Below will be the Englanders diet.

 

[BrotherBart]

Not sure, but it looks like you have a lot of wood shortning to do to burn that in the 30. What length are your splits?

 

[Rockey]

The splits are anywhere from between 10" and 25". You can see from the bucks that I get from a local veneer company they run the gammit in size and I have to deal with it. Sometimes instead of cutting them down with a chainsaw I just split them too long and put them in the miter saw during the winter as I bring them in. What is the firebox dimensions of the NC-30?

 

[BrotherBart]

20" X 20" but 18" splits are the biggest ya wanna put in it. I cut everything at 16". It allows for more different wood configurations and also allows me to burn everything in either the 30 or in my smaller Jotuls.