I am currently looking to replace my encore 2n1. I am looking for recommendations for a replacement. House is well insulated 2400sq foot colonial. The stove is installed in a fireplace connected to a 6 inch uninsulated liner approximately 25 ft. I do not burn 24/7. The progress hybrid caught my eye. Any info on this stove if it is not used full time. Will I regret soapstone due to the time it takes to generate heat. My budget is 3k. Thanks for any info
Recommendations for a new stove
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What do you not like with your current encore? What is the size of your fireplace? Are you rear venting? Need some more info.
The stove would have to rear vent. I may be jumping the gun with the encore but a few things are the cost when I do have to rebuild it. It seems like this is costly and going to happen. Also in general I find the stove very finicky and seems to always want to cruise at 600. I am looking for something easier to operate especially for my wife. Thanks for any advice
Osagebndr
Minister of Fire
I'm currently replacing my old Defiant Encore cat stove with a Jotul Rangley. I burn 24/7, however, I won't have a good opinion on it until I start burning full time in a few weeks.
The Fireview is a nice choice if it's sized well for the home. Users report it is very easy to run and it has a good track record. But with 2400 sq ft you may want the PH.
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What is the maximum sq footage for the FV in a well insulated house? Also can someone tell me the clearences from the top of the progress to the mantel? it's 24 inches for the side clearence on the progress correct? Any way to reduce that?
Tenn Dave
Minister of Fire
I have a Progress Hybrid and I love the look, gentle heat, and longer burn times, but I'm not sure it would be the best fit for your situation. I'm sure there would be better choices in steel stoves where the requirements are fast heat and shorter burn times.
Jotul F600 or F55 and Quadrafire Isle Royale. Those are all cast-iron with a firebox ~3 cu ft. High Valley 1600 for a steel stove with optional rear-vent. Since you have not stated your lintel height yet, make sure they fit.
My mantel is 51 inches high and 5 1/2 feet wide. The IR stove is really nice looking stove. Is that available in rear vent?
jack_90125
Member
If that is really the size of your fireplace opening you could fit pretty much any stove in there, even top-vents. Can you post a pic?
No that is just the size of the mantel. There is a stone face between the mantel and the fireplace opening. I will measure when I get home to see the size of the actually opening.
The opening is 31 inches high and 43 wide. I plan to have to new stove sit mostly out of the fireplace.
I think the Jotuls need 32" to 33" but the Isle Royale should fit. If you like its looks I would say that's your stove. 
Is there any IR owners that can comment on the stove? Easy to operate? I've read some reviews that's says the stove only likes to run at 600. Is that true? That is one of the problems I have with my encore.
If you do a forum search you will find plenty of reviews/experiences about the Isle Royale. I don't recall seeing much of negative feedback. It's a proven heater that has been around for a while.
In as far is that a problem? Pretty much all modern secondary burn stoves want to run that hot in order to ensure complete combustion. If you want a low burn with less heat than you need to look for a cat stove and a Woodstock Progress Hybrid or Ideal Steel may be your main options then as BlazeKing stoves cannot be rear-vented.
In as far is that a problem? Pretty much all modern secondary burn stoves want to run that hot in order to ensure complete combustion. If you want a low burn with less heat than you need to look for a cat stove and a Woodstock Progress Hybrid or Ideal Steel may be your main options then as BlazeKing stoves cannot be rear-vented.
smokedragon
Minister of Fire
If you like the Progress Hybrid, but want heat faster, get the Ideal Steel. It is more like steel woodstove but with elements of their soapstone stoves. I think you would really like it.
Also, I had to rear vent mine, and was surprised at how well it draws (albeit on a 26 foot liner that goes through the center of my house in the existing masonry chimney).
Any input or opinions on the hearthstone Phoenix? Or hearthstone in general. They look like nice stoves.
The Phoenix is a small stove suitable for room heating, but not for the whole 2400 sq ft.. The Mansfield would be a better equivalent.
Hearthstone is a good company that has been making reliable heaters for a long time. The Phoenix is quite a bit on the small side for heating more than 2000 sqft. A better size would be the Manchester and its rear-vent should fit with your fireplace lintel. It also only needs ember protection in a hearth compared with the r-value of 1 the Phoenix requires. However, I had the feeling you did not want a soapstone stove for the longer time it will take to heat up and release its heat to the room. Be aware that the Manchester has an internal soapstone lining and also may require some time before you feel the heat.
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