New to woodburning. Need a little guidance.

[arborist1]

I am planning on installing a freestanding wood stove in my finished basement. My room size is 23'x20'.
My total house square footage is approx. 1300 sq. ft. The design of the home is a typical 70's split level with new windows and good attic and wall insulation. I have been looking at quads and harmans in particular the oakwood and cumberland gap models. Do you feel these are sufficient? I have read some mixed reviews on the oakwood. I don't necessarily want a cast iron. Is the exception tl200 too large and how do the millenium models rate against it? I am also open to any other suggestions. I am looking for a good looking stove that is fairly user friendly.

 

[jtp10181]

One advantage of the Quad Steel units is the new ACC system. Lets you set the air controls and engage the automatic start-up air and walk away. The start-up air closes by itself and then it will coast on whatever setting you left the air at. If that would be a good feature to you, might want to take a closer look at something like the 3100 or 4100 either Millennium or ST models. Only steel box not on the ACC yet is the 5700ST but its coming this year.

Only thing I would be wondering is how well the heat will travel upstairs. Depends on the floor plan really.

 

[arborist1]

Right now I am burning an englander pellet and suprisingly the heat moves upstairs pretty good. The 2 ceiling fans in basement stir up the air pretty well. What are your thoughts on the cumberland gap.

 

[jtp10181]

Should be able to heat the house well. The ratings (2100sqft) are based on a well insulated house in the coldest climate zone. I can't remeber what zone you would fall in but its either 1 or 2. It sounds like you have good insulation. As with any wood stove when sized just right you might have to use the furnace (or whatever backup heat you have) on the coldest of nights

 

[loneeagle15]

I would suggest looking at the soapstones if you are going for a 24/7 stove we love ours and the best thing is only having to load it up twice a day unless it's -20 or so outside then went to 3 times a day