Newbie looking for direction on new wood stove purchase.

[Telluride]

Hello all,

I've been scanning posts for a couple of weeks now, and I'm not any more sure about a stove direction than when I started - so many opinions and options!

I have an 1130 sf home in Sisters, Oregon, built in 1990, 2x6 construction, that I'm using part-time for now, but could become full time one day so I want to do the stove as right as I can. Historically winter lows are 15 - 20 f.

Living, dining and kitchen areas are open to each other and stove placement is right in the middle, with 2 bedrooms down a short hall.

The current budget steel stove heats the space okay, but heat doesn't make it into the bedrooms very well despite a stove top fan, and an overhead fan in the low pitch vaulted LR section. The stove burns through a full load (lodge pole pine or juniper) even when turned down in 5 - 6 hours. Supplement heat is individually controlled electric in-wall cadet heaters that I prefer to not use.

I'm concerned about getting a too small or too large of stove.

I'd sure appreciate some feedback, here are some stoves that seem like they might fit the bill:

1) JØTUL F 3 CB

2) JØTUL F 400 CASTINE CF - I like the bit more contemporary look of a clear view glass

2) Woodstock Absolute Steel Hybrid - my favorite, but the side load feature would require the expense of re-configuring the hearth pad, disturbing current and discontinued flooring, and the stove pipe would no longer go straight, or mostly straight, upward.

3) VC Intrepid Flexburn - I like the idea of the ease of the top load feature; I'm not getting any younger

4) Hearthstone Craftsbury

5) Hearthstone Shelburne

6) Hearthstone Green Mountain 40 - but I've already read some negative things about the cats in this one

7) MORSØ 7110 - but I'm unclear how to interpret their specifications to know which stove would be the best fit.

Please, fire away with your personal experience and knowledge.

Thank you!!

 

[begreen]

I'm thinking maybe none of the above, except maybe the Shelburne. What stove make/model do you currently have installed?

Take a look at the Jotul F45, Enviro Boston 1200, Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 and Quadrafire Explorer II. In Woodstock look at the Fireview and while looking at cat stoves, check out the Blaze King Ashford.

What altitude is this cabin at and about how tall is the flue system from stove top to chimney top? Is it a straight up flue?

 

[begreen]

For more even heat in the house put a table or box fan at the far end of the hallway, placed on the floor, pointing toward the woodstove. Run it on low speed. It will blow the cooler air down low, toward the woodstove. The denser cool air will be replaced with lighter warm air from the stove room. Running this way you should notice at least a 5F increase in the hallway temp after about 30 minutes running.

 

[Telluride]

I'm thinking maybe none of the above, except maybe the Shelburne. What stove make/model do you currently have installed?

Take a look at the Jotul F45, Enviro Boston 1200, Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 and Quadrafire Explorer II. In Woodstock look at the Fireview and while looking at cat stoves, check out the Blaze King Ashford.

What altitude is this cabin at and about how tall is the flue system from stove top to chimney top? Is it a straight up flue?

Thank you!

I don't know the model of the stove, it's a Century brand. Chimney sweep said, " economy stove in decent shape and maybe a bit small for house, but go through a winter and see how it does".

I'll check out these other stoves - some I've not yet come across, the QF Explorer I'd seen and kinda forgot about.

Elevation is about 3200 feet. Flue is straight up, and chimney is just above roof peak - likely code at time of 1990 build, ceilings are 8 feet, guessing roof is 8/12 pitch.

 

[Telluride]

For more even heat in the house put a table or box fan at the far end of the hallway, placed on the floor, pointing toward the woodstove. Run it on low speed. It will blow the cooler air down low, toward the woodstove. The denser cool air will be replaced with lighter warm air from the stove room. Running this way you should notice at least a 5F increase in the hallway temp after about 30 minutes running.

Thank you, I had considered this, I'll take a fan over and will give it a try.

 

[begreen]

Thank you, I had considered this, I'll take a fan over and will give it a try.

Try it with the bedroom doors open.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

There should be a tag on the back of the stove that can give you the model number.

 

[moresnow]

Pics of your current stove/setup would be nice. If you have the small Century 244 your burn times reflect what mine got as well. If you look at the back of your stove the model # may be located in the upper right corner on a sticker. If you get on the Blaze King website take a peek at the Sirocco model. Its been impressive in my home. I would consider the Woodstock steel stove offerings or the Fireview as mentioned already. If you are looking for extended burn times with very consistent, controllable heat output these two manufacturer's are spoken of highly everywhere. Have fun looking and researching.

 

[SpaceBus]

Are you looking for long burn times? I have a Morso 2B Classic that keeps our 1977 1200sqft 2x6 framed two story salt box above 70 degrees inside when outside temp is 0 or below and windy. The only "downside" is the paltry .84 cuft firebox which can't go more than 6 hours between loads. Otherwise it has been a stellar stove. Our bedroom is directly above the stove and we are NEVER cold at night. Even if I forget to wake up and load the stove during the night. My wife is even comfortable operating this stove, and she absolutely loves it.