Hi Everyone,
Wanted to get some opinions on a possible new (to me) stove. I'm currently heating my mid 1800's Pennsylvania farmhouse with a 1984 Jotul 8 (original spin wheel model). It's about 2200 square feet with the stove in the main living area. The layout of the house is pretty ideal, the living room houses the stove, the kitchen is at the back of the house where less heat is needed and there is a central staircase which funnels heat upstairs.
The Jotul has been very reliable - it is super quick to heat up, it's easily controlled, and has a decent sized firebox. I can fill it up, get it going and then damp it down. Unless it's very cold (single digits), I can get an overnight burn and have plenty of coals left in the morning to light off another load. It's also red enamel and looks great to me.
I do have a few complaints.. Since it's from 1984 it eats wood. It's a double edge sword of course as if I mix in some not so great wood when it's up to temp it doesn't care and burns well. Surprisingly also when up to temperature and damped reasonably down there is little smoke coming from the chimney. The chimney is double wall class A Ventis which is run all the way down to the cleanout T at the back of the stove. The chimney is always surprisingly clean, likely the result of hot burns and little loss of heat from the chimney.
I've been presented with an opportunity to purchase a good condition (I plan on giving it once over) Woodstock Fireview 205 for under $1000. I'm told it has the upgraded stainless steel cat shield. I had previously been thinking about picking up a new Woodstock in the summer - I was actually looking at the Progress. I was thinking about something larger than the Jotul (so that I don't have to fight getting the odd large split into the stove and also for longer burns), I think the Fireview could tick a lot of boxes with similar burn times but with less wood.
I think the Fireview is a good deal and based on reviews people are very satisfied with the stove and Woodstock in general. On the other hand, I don't want to regret giving up the Jotul.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance,
Scott
Wanted to get some opinions on a possible new (to me) stove. I'm currently heating my mid 1800's Pennsylvania farmhouse with a 1984 Jotul 8 (original spin wheel model). It's about 2200 square feet with the stove in the main living area. The layout of the house is pretty ideal, the living room houses the stove, the kitchen is at the back of the house where less heat is needed and there is a central staircase which funnels heat upstairs.
The Jotul has been very reliable - it is super quick to heat up, it's easily controlled, and has a decent sized firebox. I can fill it up, get it going and then damp it down. Unless it's very cold (single digits), I can get an overnight burn and have plenty of coals left in the morning to light off another load. It's also red enamel and looks great to me.
I do have a few complaints.. Since it's from 1984 it eats wood. It's a double edge sword of course as if I mix in some not so great wood when it's up to temp it doesn't care and burns well. Surprisingly also when up to temperature and damped reasonably down there is little smoke coming from the chimney. The chimney is double wall class A Ventis which is run all the way down to the cleanout T at the back of the stove. The chimney is always surprisingly clean, likely the result of hot burns and little loss of heat from the chimney.
I've been presented with an opportunity to purchase a good condition (I plan on giving it once over) Woodstock Fireview 205 for under $1000. I'm told it has the upgraded stainless steel cat shield. I had previously been thinking about picking up a new Woodstock in the summer - I was actually looking at the Progress. I was thinking about something larger than the Jotul (so that I don't have to fight getting the odd large split into the stove and also for longer burns), I think the Fireview could tick a lot of boxes with similar burn times but with less wood.
I think the Fireview is a good deal and based on reviews people are very satisfied with the stove and Woodstock in general. On the other hand, I don't want to regret giving up the Jotul.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance,
Scott
