New vs old: NC30 vs Drolet Myriad

[mudr]

Hi guys, first thanks for all the help over the past two years. I have gotten a lot of info without becoming a member.

Our current 1600 sq ft house has a 2 yr old Drolet Myriad (3.1 cu ft), and heats it fairly well. I am moving to a new (inherited house) in a couple months. ~1900 sq feet, 1930s era, 2X4 walls, not well insulated but always "heated cheaply" given it's size, 10 yr old vinyl double pane windows throughout, not very open floor plan, two story, farmhouse. I hope I added enough info. The stove room is 12X24, with two regular size man doors to push heat through. One leads to the staircase going upstairs. I don't have a schematic drawn, but you get the picture. I am thinking of getting an Englander 30 for the new 1900 sq fter. The Englander has a 3.5 cu ft firebox, so, 13% larger. Oh, forgot to add climate: Western New York, so cold winters, but we're not talking North Dakota style

The stove questions: Is that 0.4 cu ft difference "real", how accurately can we compare firebox size from company to company, is that size difference noticeable, and does anyone have first hand knowledge to compare these two stoves?

The hearth questions: I hijacked someone else's thread yesterday and got some response, but I should ask it here. I have micore 300 on order and will need more to get the 1.5 R value. I saw somewhere on here that Durock Next Gen stuff is NOT for use on hearth instals, but then I see a lot of guys talking about using it. What is the final verdict? Also, if I do micore plus a single layer of Durock plus ceramic tile, my R is ~1.46ish. Note, the micore/durock will be over 3/4 plywood for strength. Does 1.46=1.5

 

[northernontario]

Well, something to consider is the Drolet stoves don't seem to require any insulation under them, simply a non-combustable hearth surround. Built by Stove Builders International (SBI), I had a Flame XVR-II and just picked up a Drolet HT-2000... both require no insulation underneath, just a non-cumbustable hearth surround. Does the Myriad require insulation beneath?

You'd have to compare stoves in-store. Manufacturers say you shouldn't be filling above the firebrick... but whether they limit their firebox calc's to that point or not... who knows.

Another thing to consider... max output on the NC30 is spec'd at 75,000 btu, Myriad is 85,000 btu.

My older Flame XVR-II was spec'd at 55,000 btu max... my new HT-2000 is spec'd at 95,000btu... I'd believe it. The heat exchanger on the HT-2000 really does improve heat output (and puts out a lot of heat when you put the blower on).

 

[BrowningBAR]

Another thing to consider... max output on the NC30 is spec'd at 75,000 btu, Myriad is 85,000 btu.

No, you really shouldn't consider that, at all. In fact, the BTU rating should be ignored as it does not indicate how it will heat your home. A 3.5 cu ft firebox will put out more heat than a 3.1 cu ft firebox. Will there be a huge difference between 3.1 vs 3.5 cu ft? Maybe. Probably not much.

 

[Huntindog1]

I agree with BrowningBar the BTU output is calculated in so many different ways that its not a good comparison.

Type of wood you burn is more accurate measurement of BTU's.

Then like Bar said if the stove is bigger you can put more wood in it. If a wood has a certain amount of Btu's per pound , then being able to put more wood in a stove means more BTU's.

Efficiency of these EPA approved stoves are all pretty close plus or minus a few percent. I really dont think you would notice a difference in a couple of percentage points of efficiency.

Some stoves radiate heat faster than others but from a comfort level most like heat to be radiated at a slower rate over a longer period of time.

 

[mudr]

Thanks guys. Now any thoughts on the Durock Next Gen?


Just got off phone with logger who is working 1/3 mile down the road from the house. Ordered a load and a half of sugar maple, should be two years worth of heat for me. He knocked off $50/load since it was so close for him. Hopefully I can get all of this years cut up by the end of april (stretching it since we have remodeling and moving scheduled for the next two months). It will be drying outside during the summer and moved inside by October. That should help.

 

[begreen]

When Durock and Wonderboard Next Gen proudcts first came out, there was a LOT of confusion about what the white particles were in it. The suspicion was styrofoam which of course wouldn't be good for a hot hearth. We have since determined that in Durock NextGen the white particles that lighten the product are pumice which is perfect for a hearth. There is a product with styrofoam in it that is meant for wet areas like shower bases but I can't recall the name offhand.

 

[Mrtwostick]

I have a drolet myriad. While I have never run a 30 I think the stoves are too similar to switch one for the other. The englander has the slight advantage but I think if you were going to upgrade a big cat stove might be better.

 

[velvetfoot]

The Myriad can be loaded N/S? You can fit in more wood that way.

 

[blades]

Trying to heat the second floor from the first is not a particularly good idea. Cold air down the stairs flowing across floor makes for unhappy campers.

 

[Hogwildz]

There is a product with styrofoam in it that is meant for wet areas like shower bases but I can't recall the name offhand.

That would be Wonderboard

 

[BrowningBAR]

Trying to heat the second floor from the first is not a particularly good idea. Cold air down the stairs flowing across floor makes for unhappy campers.

Are you saying I need a stove on the second floor also? How about a stove in each bedroom?

 

[blwncrewchief]

The stove questions: Is that 0.4 cu ft difference "real", how accurately can we compare firebox size from company to company, is that size difference noticeable, and does anyone have first hand knowledge to compare these two stoves?

I have a Myriad and I helped a friend install a 30 this fall. The fireboxes are splitting hairs difference. What I would consider "usable" firebox would be about 18.5w x 19d x 14h on the Myriad and 20w x 19d x 13h on the 30 +/- 1/2". The 30 is a tad bigger but if we are going to the extent of "packing" the box unless you cut the wood to fit I can get just as much wood safely in the Myriad with the solid top plate. If you were happy with the Myriad you will like the 30 just fine. The 30 in "stock" configuration burns just a little different with the dog house air. Loading N/S the Myriad is a little more controllable being it is built as a N/S loader. The 30 with a little modding will burn just the same. The 30 will burn E/W as it was designed to do so unlike the Myriad being designed as a N/S loader. Only other notable difference is the 30 is a step top and the Myriad is a flat top. As far as heat output difference, the only thing I can say is either one will run you out of a 500 sq. ft. room at 750*.

 

[mudr]

I have a Myriad and I helped a friend install a 30 this fall. The fireboxes are splitting hairs difference. What I would consider "usable" firebox would be about 18.5w x 19d x 14h on the Myriad and 20w x 19d x 13h on the 30 +/- 1/2". The 30 is a tad bigger but if we are going to the extent of "packing" the box unless you cut the wood to fit I can get just as much wood safely in the Myriad with the solid top plate. If you were happy with the Myriad you will like the 30 just fine. The 30 in "stock" configuration burns just a little different with the dog house air. Loading N/S the Myriad is a little more controllable being it is built as a N/S loader. The 30 with a little modding will burn just the same. The 30 will burn E/W as it was designed to do so unlike the Myriad being designed as a N/S loader. Only other notable difference is the 30 is a step top and the Myriad is a flat top. As far as heat output difference, the only thing I can say is either one will run you out of a 500 sq. ft. room at 750*.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for. I didn't know how to compare across companies, and I *assumed* that the Myriad would have been a tad smaller, and *assumed* the HT2000 was Drolet's equivalent to the NC30 (reported box size basically the same). I think I might still go with the NC30, as the purchase price is the same and the Drolet through northern tool will cost me ~$175 to ship. And, if I catch Home Depots sale, well, then that is even better.

 

[Huntindog1]

Mudr, Where you located? Oh I see you said Western New York.

I was going to see if you was close to a Menards as they ship to the store free.

You can go to the Home Depot website and punch in different zip codes and see if any stores with in driving distance has any stoves in stock and if they are on sale.

 

[mudr]

No Menards nearby, never seen one in my travels either.

Ive been doing that (trying different locations for depot), none yet. I suspect it will be another month or two before stores start clearing them out. And I believe people said they got free shipping in the past (?). If not, I can use my utility trailer to bring it home from depot anyway.

 

[begreen]

That would be Wonderboard

Regular Wonderboard is a pure cement product. AFAIK there is no sign of styrofoam in that product. The one I was thinking of is Fiberock. It has cellulose fibers mixed in with it and should not be used for hearths or wall shields.

Edit: Just checked, Hog, you were close. The product is Wonderboard Lite. It has EPS beads in it. Wonderboard Lite should not be used for hearth or wall shield construction.

 

[Hogwildz]

Regular Wonderboard is a pure cement product. AFAIK there is no sign of styrofoam in that product. The one I was thinking of is Fiberock. It has cellulose fibers mixed in with it and should not be used for hearths or wall shields.

Edit: Just checked, Hog, you were close. The product is Wonderboard Lite. It has EPS beads in it. Wonderboard Lite should not be used for hearth or wall shield construction.

Yeap that is it. I have a sheet laying in my garage. It has those little white Styrofoam beads in it.