New purchase

[SuperiorView]

Hello I'm new here but have been observing discussions for last few days. Time for a new stove after running Cartier 1 for last 15 years. Have a one floor 1000 s/f fairly tight(new windows,doors,insulation)15 years ago situated on the north shore of Lake Superior. After much searching have decided to go with P. E. But not sure which one would be best.
My1st choice is between spectrum classic and T5 classic. The firebox size on these are the same but smaller than my Cartier 1 which worked well (good burn times and sufficient heat)
With the new technology are these two okay or should I go bigger. My thought is anything bigger is way too big for my situation. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanx in advance.

 

[Busybee]

We have a 2 year old Spectrum Classic and are perfectally happy. It heats the 1100sq ft main level of our 1990 built home. As a relative newbe with wood it has been super easy to use, we love the red enamel finish.

 

[Woody Stover]

Yep, the PEs are renowned for long burn times.

 

[SuperiorView]

Thanx Busybee that should help in our decision. Still going to wait about a week though.

 

[Grisu]

The size should be ok the way you describe your house. I have the PE Super insert and heat about 1300 sqft of a moderately insulated home in Vermont with it. When it gets below 10 F we usually need to supplement some heat but that will probably be not a problem in your case. Burn times are some of the best for a non-catalytic stove. I am sure you will be happy. Just make sure your wood is dry.

 

[SuperiorView]

Sounds promising. However did neglect to say our temps here get to -30 c at night occasionally and constantly colder than -20 c this year. Right now is -19 at 8:35 a m.

 

[Hardrockmaple]

With wood stoves a little too big is far better than a little too small. Living way up there, go a little bigger is my advise.

 

[jeff_t]

Our Spectrum is in a 1350ish sq ft house in northern Michigan. The main part is 1950s modular, with a living room addition. The insulation is questionable, and the original windows need replacing. I don't have a whole lot of time burning it, but we were there around the holidays, and had a few days of subzero nights and single digit days. It kept the place quite comfortable. A couple of times the furnace came on around 6 am, after loading at 9-10 pm. No complaints there, as the furnace was set in the low 70s

By the way, all the PE Super Series stoves have the same firebox, with different exteriors.

 

[begreen]

It will do the job. If you want a bit larger (2.3-2.5 cu ft) take a look at the Enviro Kodiak 1700 (or the classy Boston), Jotul Oslo or Rangeley, Quadrafire Cumberland Gap and Osburn 2000.

 

[SuperiorView]

Leaning very heavy to the P E T 5 classic just a color choice now. Good to hear from all that experience.

 

[SuperiorView]

Another stove has caught my attention!! The Blazeking Princess. Like the advertised burn times. Never had a cat before so this could be a whole new learning process. Would this be too much stove for my 1000 s. f. space? Now it's between T-5 and the princess B K. Any thoughts?

 

[jeff_t]

Oh boy.

The Princess can be run low enough that it should be fine. Maybe you should look at the Sirocco 20. The Ashford 20 is due out sometime in the near future.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Hello I'm new here but have been observing discussions for last few days. Time for a new stove after running Cartier 1 for last 15 years. Have a one floor 1000 s/f fairly tight(new windows,doors,insulation)15 years ago situated on the north shore of Lake Superior. After much searching have decided to go with P. E. But not sure which one would be best.
My1st choice is between spectrum classic and T5 classic. The firebox size on these are the same but smaller than my Cartier 1 which worked well (good burn times and sufficient heat)
With the new technology are these two okay or should I go bigger. My thought is anything bigger is way too big for my situation. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanx in advance.

I went with the Spectrum Classic because I wanted enamel. If they had offered the T5 in an enamel finish I probably would have gone with one of them. I can't tell you which one you'd like better but neither would have a problem roasting you out of a tight 1000sf house.

 

[Rickb]

The 20 line might be a tad bit to small for his low temps. I would stick with the 30 line or princess. And once you run a BK you want want another stove. The control you get with it is better then any stove on the market.

 

[Bigg_Redd]

Now it's between T-5 and the princess B K. Any thoughts?

That comes down to a matter of predisposition. I am predisposed against extra parts and wear items, like catalytic converters, and against extra steps in burning, like bypassing and engaging the catalytic converter.

However, I love BKs (local company, built the way stoves should be built).

However, a 2.5CF stove is a lot for 1000SF - even if it is a cat stove, and even if you live next to Santa.

 

[SuperiorView]

The cubic foot matter is why I am considering the Princess. Is very close in fire box volume to my existing Cartier 1. Which also has a bypass around the baffle. It has worked well for us for 15 years but ready for new tech stove now. Would have had the T5 if I hadn't run into the princess info yesterday. Still looking at pros & cons of each. Only problem is not too many cons.

 

[jeff_t]

The 20 line might be a tad bit to small for his low temps. I would stick with the 30 line or princess. And once you run a BK you want want another stove. The control you get with it is better then any stove on the market.

I think you are probably right.

The Blaze Kings are very flexible. I don't see the Princess as being too big, and it will have enough stuff for the cold weather. And all the whining about extra steps and bypassing and replacing cats and blah blah blah come from folks who have never burned a Blaze King.

It's a tough call. Even having both, I can't make the decision any easier for you, because they are both great stoves. The BK is my every day burner, but I could easily live with PE every day, too.

 

[SuperiorView]

I think you are probably right.

The Blaze Kings are very flexible. I don't see the Princess as being too big, and it will have enough stuff for the cold weather. And all the whining about extra steps and bypassing and replacing cats and blah blah blah come from folks who have never burned a Blaze King.

It's a tough call. Even having both, I can't make the decision any easier for you, because they are both great stoves. The BK is my every day burner, but I could easily live with PE every day, too.

Thanks. Going to make that order right now. Let you know my decision next post.

 

[Rickb]

Before you order look at the ashford and sirocco 30 as well. They will be very close to the princess in function but looks are a bit different.

 

[SuperiorView]

Thanks for that advice,they do look nice however the dimensions of the 30 's would mean a reconstruction of my raised hearth pad(not enough clearance out front) so I went with the Princess. Should be in by weeks end. Thanks to all who helped with my decision. This is an awesome site.

 

[jeff_t]

Thanks for that advice,they do look nice however the dimensions of the 30 's would mean a reconstruction of my raised hearth pad(not enough clearance out front) so I went with the Princess. Should be in by weeks end. Thanks to all who helped with my decision. This is an awesome site.

Soooo, Ultra, Parlor, Classic? We will need pics, of course.

You will need dry, and I mean dry, wood and a decent draft to take full advantage of the cat stove. Probably should have asked earlier, but what is your chimney setup?

 

[SuperiorView]

Parlour and 6" straight up pipe.

(broken image removed)
Existing setup.

 

[jeff_t]

Blaze King recommends 14' minimum height. They also recommend double wall connector pipe, due to the already low flue temps. How tall is it now? Can it be extended if needed?

 

[SuperiorView]

I'm a tad over 13' to top. No problem adding 12" if needed. Also have double wall pipe from flue to ceiling ordered.

 

[SuperiorView]

Just looked in the Princess manual at the blaze king site and it says 12' is sufficient so I should be okay on that front. Maybe 14 is for a diff. stove unless I read it wrong.