Some questions for Jotul 550c owners

[RD-Man]

Hi all,

New to the forum. I've learned a tremendous amount from reading old posts, so thanks for that! I'm picking out our insert and have narrowed my search to a couple of good inserts. My wife and I both really love the look of the Jotul 550c. Went to the local shop and had some great help there. The sales person shared pro's and con's of every model we looked at (i.e. he didn't seem to be pushing one over another--very refreshing!) The only real 'con' he told us about the Jotul was that after only a day or two of burning, the ashes tended to build up in the bottom enough to fall out of the unit when reloading because there just wasn't that much depth there. He had been burning a Jotul 350 earlier and sure enough when he opened the door, ashes fell right out of the thing. Not a major problem by any stretch, but potentially annoying to have to shovel the thing out every day. He wasn't sure if the 550 was any deeper and didn't have one on the floor to look at.

So, question number 1: Is this ash thing a bother?

The only other question is will I get enough heat out of this insert? The sales clerk did think that the Lopi Freedom (another model we're considering) gave off more heat, simply because it sticks out a bit. If I can heat my 1st floor and some of my second floor effectively, I'm just fine with the trade-off for the looks. So, dimensions of my 1st floor are:

Living room (where the insert will be, at the far end of the room on an exterior wall)-26' x 14' with 16'vaulted ceilings. This leads into the rest of the house through three open doorways (big doorways, so almost no wall blocking air flow the rest of the 1st floor). Rest of the 1st floor is 31' x 22' with some walls and doorways around and about. It's a pretty open flow, though. So, there's a total of about 1100 sq ft on the first floor and another 700 upstairs.

Question number 2: Will I get enough horsepower to warm at least the 1st floor, if not the second as well?

I very much look forward to 'meeting' some of you and hearing your words of wisdom. We're up in Minnesota, so warmth is a very good thing...... Thanks for your help.

 

[bagpiper]

Hi,

I just installed the C550 and have been using for about a 2 weeks. Last year we installed a C350 in a smaller family room and it was perfect for the Den and Kitchen, anything outside of those rooms you would feel the difference. With the C550 burning, I am really noticing the heat throughout the whole first floor and with the A/C fan going, I believe it is warming the 2nd floor as well.

Since it is really too early in the season to tell, I would assume the C550 will provlde ample heat to the areas of my home that the C350 did not heat.

If your home design is suitable then the C550 will be great. The best part about the C350 was that it was not that hot, and could be used in smaller room where our TV was located in without being uncomfortable. I don't know if I could say the same about the C550, but this is not in issue as it is located in a room with little use.

As far as ash is concerned, and both stoves are the same design, I am now used to scooping out the ashes from the C350. It really was not a big deal in my opinion.

Good Luck !

 

[Roxburyeric]

Welcome, I have the C550 and burned all last year with it. Regarding the ashes I would clean them out about every 4-5 days and did not have ashes falling out each time I opened the door (keep in mind I burn all hard wood and soft wood will give you more ashes). To keep the ash inside the stove you just need to open the door slowly allowing the draft to blow the ash away from the door (if there is any near the door). I have a 2,500 sq ft. house with a very similar set up to you and I heated it all with the stove last year. There were a few times when it was below zero out that I needed a little help from the oil furnace. I do have an open great room with the upstairs hall and bedrooms open to below so the heat naturally goes up there. In fact the hardest part was just learning when to open or close the upstairs doors so the heat would stay on the 1st floor. I will also tell you that we do have one room on the first floor that is around 2 corners from the stove and on the north side that didn't get as much heat, but it was still livable. Good luck with it.

 

[RD-Man]

Thanks to you both for writing back. Glad to hear that ash is no big deal for either of you. Also glad to hear of your success, Roxburyeric, in heating your home. I was planning on running the central air fan to help push the air around a bit as you have done bagpiper. So, all is looking good. Our hearth is floor level. Either of you (or anyone else for that matter) have the 550 that low to the ground. Is that a pain? We looked at the Lopi Declaration, and it just seemed like I was going to have to lay down on the floor to get wood into it. I think that the 'ceiling' of that firebox is a bit lower than the 550's, though. Sales clerk explained that that was to help keep the double doors of the Lopi cleaner. The single door units keep a little cleaner without lowering that 'ceiling.' Anyway, I think I'll sleep on it a day or two more and finally take the plunge. If there are any other words of wisdom out there that I should consider before jumping, please share. It's getting coooold out there.......... Thanks very much.

 

[bagpiper]

My C550 is on floor level and the C350 is on a raised hearth, both are fine. I usually kneel down for both to put wood in them. Open the doors slowly to minimize the ashes from flying out of the insert.

After using our new C550 over the last week, its really an awesome insert. It's producing a lot of heat and the Central Air Fan is bring that heat right up to my second floor. Last year when I was just running the C350, I did not use the fan at all because I didn't think it would help. However the C550 is located near my second story stairs and is an a very large open room, so I just crank the heat up and it is being spread throughout the house.

The firebox can take very large splits and alot of wood compared to the C350. Both inserts are great, but there's a big difference between the two. With that being said, they are both perfect for layout of my home. If I had a choice of just one for a primary heat source, I would choose the C550 any day of the week. If I had to choose one for supplemental heat in a small room where we watch tv, the C350 is the insert of choice.

 

[RD-Man]

Thanks for the info. Now I just need to get somewhat creative with our surround. I think that the outside of our opening is slightly too big for the Jotul's biggest surround. We have an inner rind to our opening that might work, but then the fireplace itself may not be deep enough. I've taken measurements and pictures and made some drawings to take to local shop. We'll see what we can come up with. Thanks very much for the words of encouragement. I'm going to try to post a picture of our fireplace. First time, so hopefully it works. Thanks again.

 

[OhioBurner©]

Well I must admit I do have some issue with ash spilleage... but I do often let it go several days before cleaning if I am burning it 24x7. If the fire is mostly out I take the oppurtunity to clean it out. I think most my ash spilleage is actually from cleaning, with a bit falling off as I pull it out so not the stoves fault, but I never liked the tiny ash lip and it gets in the seam between it and the stove. And also if you do spill some around the ash lip it also wants to get in the air intake at the bottom, and in your face if you happen to be staring at it while you turn on the fan! lol. But this also would probably apply to most inserts with air intakes at the bottom when ash is spilled around them. Just wish it had a bigger ash lip and maybe not a seam.

 

[Rudyjr]

Thanks for the info. Now I just need to get somewhat creative with our surround. I think that the outside of our opening is slightly too big for the Jotul's biggest surround. We have an inner rind to our opening that might work, but then the fireplace itself may not be deep enough. I've taken measurements and pictures and made some drawings to take to local shop. We'll see what we can come up with. Thanks very much for the words of encouragement. I'm going to try to post a picture of our fireplace. First time, so hopefully it works. Thanks again.

I have a 450 so I do not have anything to add to this discussion other than that is a beautiful fireplace! No matter which insert you install try to be creative with your filler as to not cover up the arched stone detail if you can, it is absolutely killer.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

It is probably big enough for your layout (I believe 2000 sq ft is the up to limit). I have 3200 square feet and it is not big enough to do the whole house, and there probably is not a stove that is unless I had it hooked into the furnace, but that would be a hassle and could not look at it. Heating upstairs is probably easier than downstairs as the heat will rise up the two story living room. A ceiling fan on reverse will help circulate the air. I have no problem with the ash and I can go several days without emptying. I do not always burn 24/7. I have found to push the ash to back and rake the coals forward. This helps burn the coals and keep the glass clean, and keep the ash from the lip. Also for overnight burning if you put a big split in the back with little or no coals, and smaller ones in the front, it takes longer for the back split to catch and you will get a much longer burn.

 

[gibson]

I think it would do a good job on 1800 sf. It does pretty well for me at 2800 sf. I only shovel ashes once a week, at the most, burning pretty much 24/7.

 

[46hemi]

I have the 550 for 2 years now it is a nice insert. We went 550 strictly for the aesthetics and are pleased in that regard. I wanted the largest viewing area that I could get and the 550 delivers. I have no issues at all with ash..just open the door slowly. I have had very limited success trying to mechanically distribute the heat but do find the natural convection does move it around pretty well. When cruising in its sweet spot this stove will generate a lot of heat.

Now some negative observations:
- When I run the stove I keep the fan on high...it is VERY noisy
- If you dont have very well seasoned wood dont bother burning. It is a horribly frustrating experience (probably that way with all stoves just think it might be worse with the bigger boxes).
- I think it may let in too much air at the lowest setting but that could be just me.

Did I mention you need really good wood?

 

[jotulguy]

I have the 550 for 2 years now it is a nice insert. We went 550 strictly for the aesthetics and are pleased in that regard. I wanted the largest viewing area that I could get and the 550 delivers. I have no issues at all with ash..just open the door slowly. I have had very limited success trying to mechanically distribute the heat but do find the natural convection does move it around pretty well. When cruising in its sweet spot this stove will generate a lot of heat.

Now some negative observations:
- When I run the stove I keep the fan on high...it is VERY noisy
******Did you know there is an adjustment on your C-550 like a dimmer switch on your light. If high is too loud maybe you could try turning it down just a little so it isnt so loud.
- If you dont have very well seasoned wood dont bother burning. It is a horribly frustrating experience (probably that way with all stoves just think it might be worse with the bigger boxes).
********All EPA stoves need 20% moisture wood. Its the design that allows little heat up the flue and most of the heat in the home. A nature of the beast if you will.
- I think it may let in too much air at the lowest setting but that could be just me.

Did I mention you need really good wood?

 

[46hemi]

Yes I am aware of the rheostat control.