Stove or insert? Jotul 118 replacement

[nynick]

Been burning for 40 years, first with a Lange 6302A (best stove ever) and then with a Jotul 118. Also have a Morso in the cabin in the woods and relocated the Lange elsewhere. The Jotul developed cracks in the sides, so we're considering moving our stove location to the fireplace. This opens having an insert possibility, but the FP is a Rumsford with unique dimensions. We're not home much so we burn about 1 1/2 cords a year, but depend on wood for heat. FP=W33.5xH36.5xD21, rear FP=W18.

We've been to two local stores. One suggested the Jotul F500 V3 Oslo which would fit somewhat inside the FP. Nice looking stove with decent reviews. The other suggested a VC Encore (which didn't seem all that well built to me) which would also stick out a bit, and a few Hearthstone stoves, all of which don't fit because of the side handles.

I did some research and found the Hearthstone Clydesdale insert that also fits (good reviews), and recently found a Lopi Medium Steel insert that would fit as well.

Before I found the Lopis I was between the Clydesdale insert and the Jotul F500 V3. I've never had an insert before. I thought the collective brain trust might have some input for me, before I go spend thousands of dollars on something I might not like. Here's a picture of our hearth.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Nick

 

[begreen]

Yes, Lange made good stoves. There is enough height for a wide choice of stoves. The question is what is most important, looks, operation, maintenance, longevity?
How large an area will the stove be heating?

 

[nynick]

Yes, Lange made good stoves. There is enough height for a wide choice of stoves. The question is what is most important, looks, operation, maintenance, longevity?
How large an area will the stove be heating?

Good questions, thanks. Looks are important, but practicality and heat output are as well. Right now we're down to the F500. Hearthstone stoves don't fit(side handles) , the Clydesdale won't be available until November and the VC was unimpressive. We don't want it sticking out too far onto the hearth. It's in the living room and needs to heat at least 1800 sf with excess heat going upstairs.

With the F500, we'd be stuck front loading as the side door would be in the FP. The Greenville would stick out too much. IDK, some tough choices. Love the Hearthstone stoves but those two handles increase the width by 7-8 inches!
THX

Nick

 

[bholler]

I would avoid the v3 for a few years they made some questionable design decisions that early reports indicate are not holding up well.

 

[begreen]

I would avoid the v3 for a few years they made some questionable design decisions that early reports indicate are not holding up well.

Can you elaborate on this? The only reports I have seen so far sound positive. Do you have any customers that own one?

 

[bholler]

Can you elaborate on this? The only reports I have seen so far sound positive. Do you have any customers that own one?

No customers own one but I have been told by several different industry pros about severe warpage and clogging of the cat. This is within a very short period of time.

And I just don't see how a cat can work correctly with no bypass.

 

[nynick]

The Cat I've seen is a boxed screen mesh, 95% air, easily removable. I'd be interested in hearing more about this as well, considering there's a 20 year warranty on it.
Thank you!

 

[bholler]

The Cat I've seen is a boxed screen mesh, 95% air, easily removable. I'd be interested in hearing more about this as well, considering there's a 20 year warranty on it.
Thank you!

20 years for manufacturer defect only. And yes it has large cells but with no bypass everything goes through that cat untill it gets hot enough to become active.

 

[begreen]

No customers own one but I have been told by several different industry pros about severe warpage and clogging of the cat.

Wonder if that is competitive sour grapes? Time will tell. I think we have a few hearth members with this stove now.

 

[SpaceBus]

@Amigo Azul has a V3 I believe

Jotul F500 V3 Oslo, I pulled the trigger.

I currently have a 1979 VC resolute that came with the house when I bought it almost 8 years ago. I have done the gaskets several times and even had the stove rebuilt by the original factory dealer in Vermont. The rebuild was not very good as there was some kind of upheaval in the service area...

www.hearth.com

 

[begreen]

@RyanJ J also has one and @webby3650 has one in the showroom too.