Newbie-- Looking for big glass & warmth for 2700 sq ft home

[countrychick]

Hello: I am new to this forum so I apologize ahead of time for my questions that may seem a little newbie-ish. =)

We have a 2700 sq ft ranch. Just tore out our "zero clearance waste of time". Why the people who built this house put a zc gas fireplace in this house is beyond me! Never heated our house and when we lost power (yes we live in the country) what a waste of time to even have the thing burning. Yeah the flickering light appeared to be a fire but sure didn't heat like one. So that thing is gone......now we are ready for a real stove!

We had our hearts set on a Lopi Cape Cod.....love the HUGE window (my requirement) and the efficiency of this stove! But DID NOT like the fact that apparently we cannot cook on the top of it because apparently according to one or two people.....it doesn't get hot enough to cook on top. Is this correct?? So sad...love the stove!

So we are back to trying to find a free standing wood stove. Here is what we are looking for:
*Large glass window viewing area.
*Be able to cook on top in emergency, etc.
*Efficient
*Cast Iron or Steel is fine.
*Have 2700 sq ft home so 2000-2500 sq ft heated would be nice.

Do you have any ideas? We had considered the Jotul F55....but when I saw it in person didn't like it as well as the Lopi Cape Cod. We may go back to it....if we can't find anything else.

Thank you for your help in advance!

Sincerely,

A Country Girl from the NW

 

[begreen]

There are many freestanding stoves that you can cook on. The Jotul F55 is an excellent stove, but in that genre there are also the Pacific Energy Alderlea T6, the Quadrafire Explorer III and the Blaze King Ashford 30.1. In steel bodied stoves there are many more choices from just about every manufacturer.

The Lopi has a convection top, which stays cooler. The Blaze King does too, but it's removable. The Alderlea has swing away trivets to expose the stove top. This is nice for cooking because it allows variable temperature from bun warming to full boil.

 

[cpgrim]

Hello: I am new to this forum so I apologize ahead of time for my questions that may seem a little newbie-ish. =)

We have a 2700 sq ft ranch. Just tore out our "zero clearance waste of time". Why the people who built this house put a zc gas fireplace in this house is beyond me! Never heated our house and when we lost power (yes we live in the country) what a waste of time to even have the thing burning. Yeah the flickering light appeared to be a fire but sure didn't heat like one. So that thing is gone......now we are ready for a real stove!

We had our hearts set on a Lopi Cape Cod.....love the HUGE window (my requirement) and the efficiency of this stove! But DID NOT like the fact that apparently we cannot cook on the top of it because apparently according to one or two people.....it doesn't get hot enough to cook on top. Is this correct?? So sad...love the stove!

So we are back to trying to find a free standing wood stove. Here is what we are looking for:
*Large glass window viewing area.
*Be able to cook on top in emergency, etc.
*Efficient
*Cast Iron or Steel is fine.
*Have 2700 sq ft home so 2000-2500 sq ft heated would be nice.

Do you have any ideas? We had considered the Jotul F55....but when I saw it in person didn't like it as well as the Lopi Cape Cod. We may go back to it....if we can't find anything else.

Thank you for your help in advance!

Sincerely,

A Country Girl from the NW

I have the same question! Our house is 2600 square ft, and we want a big window and the ability to cook. We were considering the Quadra Fire 5100, but the center window isn't as big as we'd like. The picture was a bit deceiving. We're looking at the Vermont Castings (VC) Merrimack, but we haven't been able to see it yet. I'm told that it has a ledge that's over 7 inches deep, which should be enough for a cast iron steamer, etc. I know VC has had some issues in the past, but they are under new ownership. Please let me know if there are others you're looking at. The Quadra Fire 5100 is our plan B, and we'd really like to make a decision this week because the Ace near us has them on sale until 10/31.

Caryn

 

[plasticmotif]

Have you looked at the big Quadrafire's? Adventure 3, Explorer 3, 5700 step top? I've got a step down from the Quadrafire Explorer 3 in the mail right now :D

 

[cpgrim]

I have the same question! Our house is 2600 square ft, and we want a big window and the ability to cook. We were considering the Quadra Fire 5100, but the center window isn't as big as we'd like. The picture was a bit deceiving. We're looking at the Vermont Castings (VC) Merrimack, but we haven't been able to see it yet. I'm told that it has a ledge that's over 7 inches deep, which should be enough for a cast iron steamer, etc. I know VC has had some issues in the past, but they are under new ownership. Please let me know if there are others you're looking at. The Quadra Fire 5100 is our plan B, and we'd really like to make a decision this week because the Ace near us has them on sale until 10/31.

Caryn

To clarify, we need an insert...not a free-standing stove.

 

[begreen]

Caryn, you are looking for inserts. I think the OP is looking for a free standing stove.

 

[cpgrim]

Caryn, you are looking for inserts. I think the OP is looking for a free standing stove.

It sounded like she was originally looking for an insert, but maybe I misunderstood.

 

[countrychick]

Wow keep the comments coming! Yes Caryn we are looking for a free standing wood stove. We had a zero clearance gas fireplace previously.....wow what a waste of time and money (whomever built this place). Can't wait for our freestanding stove! We want to be able to cook on the top as well.

Thank you begreen for your suggestions Appreciate that! I need to go see some quadra fires. I have heard mixed reviews on the company. Yes we had considered the Alderlea but heard it was a dust magnet.....people who had the alderlea didn't seem to give it raving reviews.

I do not like step tops....want to use the whole top....if we were in a storm and had a week to cook on it.....would be thankful for the added space. =)

My big requirement is it needs a big window.....so looking for that. I will look at blaze king again. Their stoves just look like huge boxes and I don't like that look. Loved the look of the cape cod. Hoping to find something like it....but will see.

Didn't quadrafire just buy Vermont Castings? I thought I heard that. If so, customer service may go down the tubes....haven't heard good things about QF's customer service.

Thank you for suggestions! We will check into all the names ya'll mentioned. Thank you! Would love to hear from others as well.....

 

[begreen]

There are several Alderlea owners here including myself. I wouldn't call it a dust magnet. I just wipe it down with a slightly damp rag now and then. This is our stove after 9 yrs of operation. Most Alderlea owners that I have spoken to really love the stove.

Maybe take a look at the PE Summit Classic if you want a stove in a porcelain cabinet. They clean very easily.

Quad makes good stoves. They had some issues, most stove companies do at one time or another, but overall they are well made and good performing stoves.
Quadrafire and Vermont Castings are now under the same parent company - Hearth and Home Technologies.

 

[cpgrim]

Wow keep the comments coming! Yes Caryn we are looking for a free standing wood stove. We had a zero clearance gas fireplace previously.....wow what a waste of time and money (whomever built this place). Can't wait for our freestanding stove! We want to be able to cook on the top as well.

Thank you begreen for your suggestions Appreciate that! I need to go see some quadra fires. I have heard mixed reviews on the company. Yes we had considered the Alderlea but heard it was a dust magnet.....people who had the alderlea didn't seem to give it raving reviews.

I do not like step tops....want to use the whole top....if we were in a storm and had a week to cook on it.....would be thankful for the added space. =)

My big requirement is it needs a big window.....so looking for that. I will look at blaze king again. Their stoves just look like huge boxes and I don't like that look. Loved the look of the cape cod. Hoping to find something like it....but will see.

Didn't quadrafire just buy Vermont Castings? I thought I heard that. If so, customer service may go down the tubes....haven't heard good things about QF's customer service.

Thank you for suggestions! We will check into all the names ya'll mentioned. Thank you! Would love to hear from others as well.....

Hmm. Good to know about Quadra Fire's customer service. I thought the buyout was a good thing because VC hasn't had good reviews for awhile. Best wishes with your search!

 

[countrychick]

Update on our search......
We fell in love with the Lopi Cape Cod but but the ice on that idea when we found out you cannot cook on top of the stove in emergencies....doesn't get hot enough.

So we now are choosing between the Jotul F55 and the PE Alderlea T6.

I've been doing alot of reading here! I think they are similar stoves which is my trouble in making the decision! lol.

I am wondering if anyone has cooked on their F55?? We'd mainly be using it for cooking in a blackout for extended period of time. We are not off grid.

Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated and help the decision process! =)

Tami

 

[mellow]

Also keep in mind that in a pinch you can put items in aluminium foil and toss IN the stove on hot coals. I do that with potatoes and others have grilled steaks with the door open using a cast iron skillet... just sayin... there are other ways to cook... I wouldn't make my decision based on something that might be used 1% of the time. Most people also have the grill outside to cook on.

 

[countrychick]

Good points! Thank you! I just wanted to make sure we could cook on top of it, and wondered if anyone had tried it, before we purchase one. =) I know people do cook on the Alderleas....so was checking with owners of the F55. But great point about putting food inside stove. Yes we could do that as well. Thanks.

 

[bcrtops]

There are several Alderlea owners here including myself. I wouldn't call it a dust magnet. I just wipe it down with a slightly damp rag now and then. This is our stove after 9 yrs of operation. Most Alderlea owners that I have spoken to really love the stove.
View attachment 186466
Maybe take a look at the PE Summit Classic if you want a stove in a porcelain cabinet. They clean very easily.

Quad makes good stoves. They had some issues, most stove companies have at one time or another, but overall they are well made and good performing stoves.
Quadrafire and Vermont Castings are now under the same parent company - Hearth and Home Technologies.

#begreen be "right on" ^^^^^

We do love our Alderlea, & have cooked many a meal on it when without power. We even use it during the winter some to cook things that you would normally use a slow-cooker, cook-pot for.

 

[madison]

Regarding Dust - then maybe an enameled stove should be considered - IMHO the only dust magnet issue I have encountered in ~9 yrs with our cast iron T6 is the blower fan blades get jammed with dust and each year I remove and blow/vacuum out the accumulated dust. A whole house vacuum takes care of the rest of the exterior.

To limit dust - in the house and on the stove, I did learn early on to :
1. Turn off the blower when reloading the stove
2. Open air control fully whenever opening the stove door
3. Rake/shovel ash with extreme caution
4. Only clean out the stove when necessary and make sure all ceiling fans, blowers etc are off

Regarding cooking - Our T6 reheats most meals and keeps holiday meals warm until serving - every single stove top/trivet inch is covered with , turkey, stuffing etc while the rest of the meal is ready to be served.

Inside I have cooked
1. Once a pizza - royal PIAss - but was fun, Only Once
2. All baked potatoes are cooked inside the stove
3. Sweet potatoes are not as good as Idahoes when cooked inside the stove
4. One pork tenderloin, triple wrapped in foil, embers etc pushed into the rear corner - another PIAss endevor - Only Once
5. My favorite - pennsylvania lebanon sweet baloney (and deer baloney) - sliced thick and browned on a hot dog skewer

 

[countrychick]

Thanks so much for the reviews on the Alderleas! I'm struggling to make a decision! Like them both for different reasons. But need to make sure they both heat my house.

We have a 2700 sq ft ranch home built in 2008, four french doors two of which are in the great room with the wood stove. 10 ft ceilings throughout house. Great room is very large with sides open to two bedrms. I think our house will be pretty easy to heat, we are in Oregon and don't get much below 20 degrees in our bitter cold winters. But we haven't had many days like that with the warm winters we have been having.

My iris are so screwed up! They are blooming and thinking apparently that we had another spring! lol. Blooming iris in November.....I think that might be a record here!

Can't wait for winter. We are having temps into the 30's tonight so I am hopeful that we might have cooler weather. We were out in shorts a few days ago tilling the garden. lol.

 

[begreen]

The T6 will heat the place well. Feed it nicely seasoned wood and it will provide long steady heat. Our cooking experiences echo Madison's. I get up early so I put the kettle on the stove top to have hot water ready when the rest of the family wakes up. We've made stews, oatmeal, etc. on the stove using either direct stovetop or trivets depending on the temperature needed.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/pacific-energy-alderlea-t6-review-part-1.14885/

This has been a crazy warm start to winter. It's the latest I can recall starting burning. Just lit up the stove yesterday. Normally it would have been a month ago.

 

[Squisher]

I vote alderlea t6 as well. I have the same firebox in my PE summit. Very capable heater IMO. The alderleas are beautiful stoves.

 

[countrychick]

Thank you both for your comments! Appreciate it! Someone mentioned to me about the Woodstock Progress Hybrid. They are in NH and I am in Oregon. Going to call the company today but not sure it is a option since I am so far away. They don't appear to sell them through salesmen so probably none in Oregon. =) But worth checking out. Then need to make a decision. I really like the Jotul F55....like the look of it better. But like the cooking on the Alderleas. lol.

 

[Jutt77]

Englander 30NC plus trivets. Tons of cooking area. Big heat. Good viewing area. Efficient. Large firebox (3.5cu ft). Simple secondary combustion with only a single door gasket to maintain. Costs a 1/2 to a 1/3 of some of your options. Not as fancy as those enamel coated cast iron, catalytic stoves but gets the job done extremely well. I've had good CS from them as well.

The other stoves you mentioned (T6, F55) and ones other folks have recommended, as well as the Blaze King King (was on my radar) are all rock solid choices so it seems like its just a matter of aesthetics for you at this point assuming the ability to cook on the top.

If I could have justified spending more $ then on the NC30 then I probably would have purchased a Woodstock Ideal Steel (or the BKK). Innovative design that uses both secondary combustion and a cat which seems like a great idea. Extreme efficiency. Cool exterior design that can be customized. Includes integrated trivets on the top plate. Small shop, supposedly with good CS.

 

[countrychick]

Englander is sold by Home Depot looks like. Thank you for this info! I'm considering all options. We had it down to two choices and now you guys are giving us many choices. lol.

Thank you!

 

[countrychick]

Wow the Progress Hybrid by Woodstock is expensive! 3500! Good tax credit though in my state! over 1000.00 back! Englander I could get nothing back other than maybe 200. Alderleas same thing. Jotuls are better but not as good as woodstock. Those stoves are very efficient. Just not sure I want to sink 3500 plus shipping to Oregon. =)

 

[williaty]

Take a look at the Woodstock Ideal Steel. It's much cheaper than the Progress Hybrid. You can custom order all sorts of decoration for it to make it look pretty nice. We're in our 2nd moth of using ours and still learning it, but it has a nice big window and easily overheats our 1400sqf house, so I think you'd be well-heated in your much bigger house. On ours, with moderate sized fires, the two side "burners" are only hot enough to keep stuff warm (maybe in the 150-175F range, won't boil water) but the center burner, if you take the trivet off the top of it, gets VERY hot. Boils water in a flash! I won't be surprised if, in the depth of winter when we've got it cranked up, the side burners cook as well (right now we're trying to limit heat output as much as possible).

 

[OhioBurner©]

The Progress Hybrid is a bit pricey being that it has so much nice soapstone on it, but seems like a good performer and a nice cooktop. Very beutiful stove IMO. The Ideal Steel is also a great performer (even better air control) and can cook on it too, I have made many things on it. It's design is a bit non traditional but nicely customizable even can have it made based on your own artwork (I used my own art on the side panels, and picked from others art for the burners and andirons). They only sell direct from factory but they do ship, might be a bit more costly. They usually run some sales in spring, but you may want something sooner I presume.

The Ideal steel has a nice big glass door (my avatar) and the secondary burn manifold is angled such that it does produce a nice show through the glass. The stove can also be throttled all the way down so the firebox goes black with no flames and burns like a catalytic stove. This will coat the glass in a lot of black stuff and produce no show, but nice effecient and long burn for days when you don't need much heat. Just some stuff to think about.

 

[Woody Stover]

We had it down to two choices and now you guys are giving us many choices. lol.

Sorry, we can't help ourselves...the more we look, the more stoves we find!