My home was built in 1974 and has a masonry fireplace 28 high by 41 wide. The hearth extends 14” from the firebox. I live in western MD, elevation 2500 ft. This past winter, daytime high temperatures averaged mid-teens, with several mornings well below zero. I've decided to install a wood stove and would appreciate any opinions on the following stoves: Hearthstone Castleton, Vermont Castings Encore, and Jotul F500 V3 Oslo.
Ideally, I would be able to load the stove at bedtime, and have enough hot coals in the morning that I could throw a couple of splits in on my way out. Evening load would be around 10pm and morning reload would be between 5:45am and 7am.
I have 5-6 cords of seasoned wood, primarily oak and maple, most cut to 16" or so.
A wood burning insert has been ruled out due to no easy access to electric for the blower.
The area to be heated by the stove is roughly 2000 sq. ft. over two floors with a loft over the fireplace.
Thanks for reading and let me know if more information would be helpful.
Ideally, I would be able to load the stove at bedtime, and have enough hot coals in the morning that I could throw a couple of splits in on my way out. Evening load would be around 10pm and morning reload would be between 5:45am and 7am.
I have 5-6 cords of seasoned wood, primarily oak and maple, most cut to 16" or so.
A wood burning insert has been ruled out due to no easy access to electric for the blower.
The area to be heated by the stove is roughly 2000 sq. ft. over two floors with a loft over the fireplace.
Thanks for reading and let me know if more information would be helpful.
