Ok, I have spent hours upon hours on this site looking at all the reviews and specifics regarding new wood stoves. Short story; building a new house (1100sq. basement, 1800 upstairs), using geo-thermal for heat, going to be well insulated BUT I had a 1970's wood stove growing up and loved it. It was a family thing, we cut wood as a family, one of us started/tending the stove (who ever was home first), we sat around the blazing heat on cold nights as a family, so I want one for my family now.
The issue; the builder told me to go see a guy at a lumber yard showroom and pick out a stove. Up to this point I haven't kept up on EPA, CAT, Non-cat stoves at all, my childhood stove was steal and I could probably make one like it if needed. It had two adjustments, flue and door vent. So I talk with this guy about Quadra Fires (all they sell) and he doesn't add much to the conversation but does push us towards a 3100 ST. We didn't like the looks so we went to a place that sells Vermont Castings. Of course that guys steers us towards a VC. He was very knowledgeable but didn't tell us about any other brand he carries (Enviro) and really didn't touch too much on cat vs noncat.
We then went to another store that carries Jotul and of course they were knowledgeable and steered us towards a F 50 (didn't even talk about their other brands, Buck Stove and Harman).
So the question... I want something easy to operate, works with MOST wood (I'll season it but we will burn a lot of hedge), and something that will get the basement up to 80 degrees on those really cold (15 deg. F) days. This isn't going to be my main heating source, I'll use it as much as possible but my other heat will be really cheap so not a big deal. Please give me any suggestions you can because if I keep reading more on this site my wife might take my computer away.
The issue; the builder told me to go see a guy at a lumber yard showroom and pick out a stove. Up to this point I haven't kept up on EPA, CAT, Non-cat stoves at all, my childhood stove was steal and I could probably make one like it if needed. It had two adjustments, flue and door vent. So I talk with this guy about Quadra Fires (all they sell) and he doesn't add much to the conversation but does push us towards a 3100 ST. We didn't like the looks so we went to a place that sells Vermont Castings. Of course that guys steers us towards a VC. He was very knowledgeable but didn't tell us about any other brand he carries (Enviro) and really didn't touch too much on cat vs noncat.
We then went to another store that carries Jotul and of course they were knowledgeable and steered us towards a F 50 (didn't even talk about their other brands, Buck Stove and Harman).
So the question... I want something easy to operate, works with MOST wood (I'll season it but we will burn a lot of hedge), and something that will get the basement up to 80 degrees on those really cold (15 deg. F) days. This isn't going to be my main heating source, I'll use it as much as possible but my other heat will be really cheap so not a big deal. Please give me any suggestions you can because if I keep reading more on this site my wife might take my computer away.