Stove choices ?

[Umaxman]

Just wandered over here from the pellet mill.
I have a small wood stove [Dutch west] it seems to be a decent stove and heats good but it has no burn time at all, I think from the very small fire box.
I have been looking around at stoves that have a bigger fire box and just wondering if they are all the same quality.
The first one is a Pacific energy, the second one is a Regency and finally an Enviro fire.
All are rated about the same as far as heating ability up to 2000 sq feet.
If I go with a stove that is rated at more square foot heating ability than the area I actually have is it going to be a problem? [ I have about 1100 square feet of space of good insulated space]
So many questions but I will start there for now

 

[mfglickman]

I have undersized and I'd recommend oversizing then burning smaller loads when you don't need the firepower. Then you are ready to easily handle the really cold snaps (assuming you have those).

I don't know many stoves but have seen the PEs very highly recommended here.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Nova Scotia only has 1 cold snap per year. From mid September to mid July.

Matt and seen 40 degrees on July 4th weekend in n.s.

 

[begreen]

All three of the stoves mentioned are good brands. Regency and Enviro use secondary tubes with an insulated baffle above them. They have a strong, conventional design and are well made. The PE stoves have the secondaries built into an insulated, stainless steel baffle box. Their mid-sized units (Super 27, Spectrum, T5) also have a unique air-control which proportionately governs the secondary air supply. This combination gives excellent burn times in a 2 cu ft stove. It's the one I would recommend if you go with PE.

Another way to go for your location would be a soapstone cat stove like the Woodstock Keystone. The catalyst is ideal for cleanly running with long, low-fire burns. This is great for areas that have months in the 30's and 40's.

 

[Umaxman]

Thanks for the reply.
Yes we have a few cold snaps here the last week has been anywhere from -25 to -29 and the little stove we have has been running full out, but we both work and the burn times are roughly only about 4 to 5 hours max. when we get home from work its always out I have electric heat along with a propane fire place but I don't like to use those if I don't have to.....
I really like the PE stove and I am probably going with it, it also comes with a free blower. I am just a little concerned about it being over sized for my 1100 square foot space but as long as I put less wood in it when we are home and still have the ability to fill it up when we leave for work I think all should be good..

 

[begreen]

You have the right idea. We've seen the mid-sized PEs installed in your size home with good owner satisfaction. In milder weather, just burn smaller loads. Or burn wood with less density like poplar and hemlock.