Recommendations for a smallish used stove for basement

[Garye5007]

I have a pellet insert on the first floor and a flu that isn’t doing anything in the basement. I’d like to put a small wood stove in the basement and I would like to get something used that won’t break the bank but I need to know what to look out for! There are a lot of them on marketplace! I think something like the size of a Vermont castings Aspen or intrepid.
Thank you in advance for any advice! Gary

 

[Todd]

There are some small Drolet’s for under $1k. Good bang for your buck.

 

[kborndale]

When looking for a used stove what's available is more of a deciding factor than what would be best. Can't go wrong with the drolets for an inexpensive stove. Does the flue have a stainless liner? If not that could be more expensive than the stove.

 

[Garye5007]

Nope, no stainless liner… If that’s required and that ain’t gonna work out, I have one on the pellet stove that I installed myself. It’s a good chimney. I had a super Jack woodfired furnace in there.

 

[Garye5007]

OK, I know what y’all are gonna say. I need to have a liner in the chimney. I guess I probably won’t be having a woodstove in my basement anytime soon. Maybe someday.

 

[EbS-P]

There are some small Drolet’s for under $1k. Good bang for your buck.

New under $1500

 

[EbS-P]

OK, I know what y’all are gonna say. I need to have a liner in the chimney. I guess I probably won’t be having a woodstove in my basement anytime soon. Maybe someday.

A liner is not required if your chimney meets code. What size is the current chimney and has it been inspected? Can you post photos of it?

 

[Todd]

New under $1500

Last Tuesday I saw an Escape 1200 for $850. I suppose it’s more out East through. The Medium sized Drolets were $1200.

 

[kborndale]

A liner is not required if your chimney meets code. What size is the current chimney and has it been inspected? Can you post photos of it?

Very few masonry chimneys meet code.

 

[Garye5007]

Thank you very much for the replies! I will measure the chimney and I’m not sure if photos would do you much good. But I can try. I realize that the length of the chimney and heated smoke will condensate and create creosote buildup. I plan to get up there and clean the chimney. It’s a terra-cotta liner and I’ve been burning wood in it for years. Yeah, I don’t know about up to code, but I’m not afraid. I don’t plan on burning much wood in the basement. Yeah you’ll probably say if I have a chimney fire it’ll be my fault. Also, I’m a fireman and I’ve been to my share of chimney fires.I’ll Chew on that for a while!

 

[EbS-P]

Thank you very much for the replies! I will measure the chimney and I’m not sure if photos would do you much good. But I can try. I realize that the length of the chimney and heated smoke will condensate and create creosote buildup. I plan to get up there and clean the chimney. It’s a terra-cotta liner and I’ve been burning wood in it for years. Yeah, I don’t know about up to code, but I’m not afraid. I don’t plan on burning much wood in the basement. Yeah you’ll probably say if I have a chimney fire it’ll be my fault. Also, I’m a fireman and I’ve been to my share of chimney fires.I’ll Chew on that for a while!

Do you fight them like these guys?

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[all night moe]

If you clean that clay flue, and have it inspected for cracks and/or erosion, get a good stove and let it run.

The hard part is the wood supply. Make sure moisture content is low. Ideally, 20% or less. Dry wood will note form creosol. You may end up running that stove more than you think. In that case, get ahead on a wood supply. Plenty of time to season is key.