PE Vista or 27?

[Dreamers]

Hello,
I am a first time poster, but long time reader.
I have just built an off the grid small cabin (14 by 18 ft) with half loft. It is only 252 sq feet, however, with the 12 - 12 roof pitch, it adds up to about 3000 cubic feet.
We have insulated the floor, walls and ceiling and am guessing the R-value to be around 15.
We would like to snowshoe into the cabin on the occasional weekend throughout the winter and would like a wood stove that will hear the space, but not roast us out. As it is off the grid, we are unable to use a ceiling fan to push the air around.
We have been given different advice as to what capacity stove we need (Jotul Black Bear to a PE Super 27). It was recommended that we not go with a cast iron stove as it would experience extreme swings in temperature.
My question is: what size stove would you recommend? I was thinking of the PE Vista, but is it enough stove?
Thanks very much in advance.

 

[begreen]

It's a small space. I agree a true radiant stove is not needed here. The Vista would be more than adequate. Or perhaps better yet, a Alderlea T4's cast iron jacket would help reduce temp swings even better. The Alderlea series is convective.

 

[Dix]

I agree with BG.

Keep in mind, how ever, the smaller fire box will give you shorter burn times.

Welcome to the forums !!

 

[Dreamers]

I agree with BG.

Keep in mind, how ever, the smaller fire box will give you shorter burn times.

Welcome to the forums !!

I agree with BG.

Keep in mind, how ever, the smaller fire box will give you shorter burn times.

Welcome to the forums !!

Thanks very much BG and Dix, your opinions are greatly appreciated.
I'm thinking I may pick up a small propane space heater (Mr. Heater type) to take some of the chill off when we first arrive in the dead of winter. Also hoping we can get a 6 hour burn time from the Vista or Alderlea T4 with some good dry hardwood.
Thank you, again.

 

[thechimneysweep]

The Vista is also a convection stove, although it has a plate steel outer shell, which is not quite as effective as the cast iron outer shell on the Alderlea T4. In my opinion, either model would be ideal for your application: the Super 27 would be too large.

 

[Dix]

The Vista shows a 1.5 CF box, smaller than my Englander 13 with a 1.8.

On a good day, I get 6 hours out of the 13. Not the norm.

Just an FYI.