So I'm running my first wood stove and I'm already dreaming of another. Right now it's not a fair fight so maybe I shouldn't be so judgmental, pitting a VC Aspen against a 600 sq. foot house with 20 ft. cathedral ceiling, no insulation and open vents. Just put the stove in recently and it seems to work well, and I expect I can heat the place adequately once I get it all buttoned up. I am a bit envious though, as most of my friends around here have larger stoves are warming their toes comfortably hours after they have bothered with it. Mine has to be fiddled with hourly at best, at least with the fuel I have available here, in order to keep it burning toasty. I enjoy playing with fire but fear the fun will probably diminish over time, plus you can't always be around to babysit the thing.
In my attempt to design a livable small home for 2 people plus occasional guests I quickly discovered that every square inch matters, hence the Aspen caught my eye. Also here in Southern NM the climate is a little weird. Heating season is Nov. to about the end of Feb. and the temperature swings can be very dramatic. A pleasant 60 degree day can turn to a rude awakening when you read the thermometer at 5 degrees the next morning! Typically though I'd say that most of the winter averages about mid 50's for highs and 20 or so for lows, plenty chilly when the sun goes down but most folks around here don't throw another log in much past 10 AM. I am sleeping comfortably through 20 to 30 degree temperatures now so if I can wake up to a 50 degree house that would feel downright tropical.
So I'm looking for the smallest stove I can get that will reliably burn hot for at least 3 hours, using the fuel available to me which is well seasoned juniper, pinion pine and scrub oak, most of it juniper. I can drive up the road a ways and cut pine, ponderosa I think, if I need to. I like the classic look of the PE T4 with the cast iron and legs but it is a bit pricy, for me anyway. Everything is relative. I thought some of you might be able to suggest a good choice considering my needs, and budget.
One more question- My profile picture doesn't show up. Anyone know why? It's there on my control panel.
Thanks!
In my attempt to design a livable small home for 2 people plus occasional guests I quickly discovered that every square inch matters, hence the Aspen caught my eye. Also here in Southern NM the climate is a little weird. Heating season is Nov. to about the end of Feb. and the temperature swings can be very dramatic. A pleasant 60 degree day can turn to a rude awakening when you read the thermometer at 5 degrees the next morning! Typically though I'd say that most of the winter averages about mid 50's for highs and 20 or so for lows, plenty chilly when the sun goes down but most folks around here don't throw another log in much past 10 AM. I am sleeping comfortably through 20 to 30 degree temperatures now so if I can wake up to a 50 degree house that would feel downright tropical.
So I'm looking for the smallest stove I can get that will reliably burn hot for at least 3 hours, using the fuel available to me which is well seasoned juniper, pinion pine and scrub oak, most of it juniper. I can drive up the road a ways and cut pine, ponderosa I think, if I need to. I like the classic look of the PE T4 with the cast iron and legs but it is a bit pricy, for me anyway. Everything is relative. I thought some of you might be able to suggest a good choice considering my needs, and budget.
One more question- My profile picture doesn't show up. Anyone know why? It's there on my control panel.
Thanks!
