Recommendation for soapstone extended burn stove for 800 sf

[inthecountry]

Hi - I’d appreciate recommendations for a stove. Parameters below. Thanks!

- 329 sf room that opens to another 400 sf of hallway, bathrooms, etc.
- Soapstone
- Control to burn low much of the time
- Burn low overnight with morning coals
- 75%+ efficient to qualify for tax credit
- 110” from floor to ceiling
- In stock

 

[bholler]

Hi - I’d appreciate recommendations for a stove. Parameters below. Thanks!

- 329 sf room that opens to another 400 sf of hallway, bathrooms, etc.
- Soapstone
- Control to burn low much of the time
- Burn low overnight with morning coals
- 75%+ efficient to qualify for tax credit
- 110” from floor to ceiling
- In stock

Well you will be looking for a cat stove for sure. Obviously hearthstone or Woodstock if you are set on soapstone.

Are there any models that interest you?

Why does it have to be soapstone?

 

[inthecountry]

Thanks, bholler. Soapstone for more gentle, radiant heat.

 

[bholler]

Thanks, bholler. Soapstone for more gentle, radiant heat.

It really doesn't make much difference. A cast iron clad stove like the blaze king Ashford or several others offer the safe thing without the downsides of soapstone

 

[bholler]

And any good cat stove will burn low enough it's going to give nice soft heat even with a basic steel stove. The soapstone thing is honestly mainly marketing

 

[begreen]

Agreed. That said, the Woodstock Fireview has a lower output than the BK Ashford and is a tried and true design.

 

[bholler]

Agreed. That said, the Woodstock Fireview has a lower output than the BK Ashford and is a tried and true design.

Absolutely. There are some good soapstone stoves available. Just saying there other options to consider as well.

 

[Todd]

Finding what you want in stock this time of year is going to be tough. I really liked my Woodstocks and think they would work well for your needs.

 

[bundy150]

Check out your best nearby dealers for choices and service.

 

[begreen]

Woodstock stoves are sold direct. Shipping to the west coast makes them quite costly here. If soapstone is a must, then a Hearthstone dealer is the best option. Or get a cast iron jacketed steel stove for the same soft heat with a better service life.

 

[stoveliker]

I second the above; the low even heat requirements can be had with other models too.
The BK has a good history too.

But the looks matter for many people. If looking at a soapstone stove makes you happy, go for one. After all it's something of considerable value you're buying, and that you have to watch for the next two decades.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Want to jump in here and go all "soapstone stoves rock" rage.. but..

While I don't think they are necessarily any more troublesome, they are different, and I agree, any cat stove is probably going to fit the bill nicely.. That said..
SWMBO says there is no other choice then soapstone, because it has to be perty that other 8 months when it's just sitting there... LOL

 

[begreen]

My wife is just the opposite. She doesn't like the looks of them. Go figure.

 

[bundy150]

When it comes to "taste" and "personal preference" there is NO "one size fits all". Get what you like and what works best for you!

 

[Todd]

I'm convinced to consider non-soapstone stoves. So new requirements:

- Less than 1000 square feet, now has 44,000 BTU propane wall heater
- Control to burn low much of the time
- Catalytic
- Jacketed for soft heat
- Burn low overnight with morning coals
- 75%+ efficient to qualify for tax credit

Lots of people recommend Blaze King and I have a local dealer, but I can't see from their site which are catalytic, which jacketed.

Thanks!

All Blaze kings are catalytic. Look at the Ashfords.

 

[rudysmallfry]

Have you looked at the Hearthstone Heritage hybrid? You could burn daytime hours without the cat with a no flame on a secondary slow burn and then switch to cat mode for the overnight burn since the cat (I'm told) would buy you a longer burn time just without that lovely flame to watch. It seems like the best of both worlds. I have an older Heritage and plan to replace it with the hybrid if mine ever dies. I love that soft heat, but don't get the burn times I'd like. I load for the overnight around midnight. Fire is out and stove cools off enough to let the boiler turn on, but it's an easy relight when I get up around 9:00.