Newbie - strongly considering PE Alderlea T5 - looking for owner input

[Bluenoser]

1st post! I am very close to buying a T5 after reading as much as I could on the forum - praise seems to be coming from a lot of corners. My house is an open 1400 sf bungalow, and I am looking to have the stove in the kitchen, which opens to both entrances, the living room and the basement, as well as to a hall leading to the bedrooms.
Just wondering if the cast iron shell is effective at providing a gentler hear than that of a steel stove, and if the price in Canadian dollers ($2416) is a decent value or if I am better off getting a less expensive Super 27 or downsizing to a T4?
We plan to burn fairly constantly, so a longer burn time is a consideration.
Looking for input...

 

[Jimbob]

The Super 27 will be cheaper. If you like the look of cast iron stoves, I would go with the T-5. Both stoves share the same firebox, and long burn times.
The shallow firebox of the T-4's and Vistas means shorter burn times, as well as having to load the firebox side-to-side (east/west) instead of straight-in.

The Spectrum is also the same capacity as the Super 27, just a bit fancier.

 

[begreen]

I wouldn't go smaller than the T5 or Super 27 in your climate. Both are good stoves. Our next door neighbor burns a Spectrum and I have a local friend burning the T5 for the first year. Both are very satisfied with their stoves.

The cast iron shell definitely acts as a big heat sink and buffer on the Alderlea. It's slower to warm up, but great for a soft, slow heat release. You can sit right along side the stove and not be cooked.

 

[Bluenoser]

Thanks for the input! Much appreciated! I can't wait to get going! Any others with experience with PE, and Alderleas in particular?

 

[Elfin]

I have the T5 and can't say enough about how much I like it. I think you'd be disappointed with the size of the T4 firebox... it's shockingly tiny, if you haven't seen it in person yet.

What I really notice about this stove is how long it holds the heat after a burn... it seems like it is always warm to the touch, even if it has been several hours since we've seen coals. And I love the cooking trivet, with the super-hot cooking surface underneath.