Stove Size and Choice

[ironcity]

I have been reading threads and posts for quite a few days. They have been both enlightening and confusing....I have an original log cabin, built in 1851 and restored in a different location. It has a floor and a half.....I assume the equivalent of 800 sq ft. This is a weekend cabin, and the fireplace is pretty solid for the most part, we have been using an open fireplace that we built..and it is 'open'. So, it is really pretty, but when we go to bed, we lose heat and flame in about 2-3 hours...which makes for several cold wakeups to add splits....

Given the small sq footage, do you recommendations? I have been considering the NCH30 and the 13....but have looked at many others. Given this layout, does an air control seem appropriate to manage the heat? does a blower seem necessary? all thoughts are appreciated...

Thankss

 

[Jags]

Please elaborate on insulation and how tight the cabin is/isn't. In a fairly tight environment the 30 is gonna roast your chestnuts. The 13 would be a better choice. If it is quite leaky, you may get along better with the 30.

 

[ironcity]

Please elaborate on insulation and how tight the cabin is/isn't. In a fairly tight environment the 30 is gonna roast your chestnuts. The 13 would be a better choice. If it is quite leaky, you may get along better with the 30.

No insulation...this is literally an 1851 log cabin, numbered, taken down, moved and restored. Chinking between the logs downstairs. The 'loft' was added, and it does have r13 behind the paneling...tin roof, just added some 1/4 foam up there, and am putting tongue in grove over that....

All the work was done by me and my family, so this is not Bob Vela....

like I said, after about two-three hours, the current setup is fine. but, as soon as you go to bed, it is about 2-3 more hours before your lips are chattering....

 

[Jags]

Well...the 30 is not known for low and slow. It is a heating beast that can really only be slowed by the size of load. Downside to that is, loading it so that it doesn't cook you out may not last the night. The 13 might to a fair job. Ever consider a cat stove? On the pricey side, but a BK princess or Woodstock fireview? In non cat, maybe consider a PE super 27. They are known to be a bit more friendly to tune down.

 

[ironcity]

Well...the 30 is not known for low and slow. It is a heating beast that can really only be slowed by the size of load. Downside to that is, loading it so that it doesn't cook you out may not last the night. The 13 might to a fair job. Ever consider a cat stove? On the pricey side, but a BK princess or Woodstock fireview? In non cat, maybe consider a PE super 27. They are known to be a bit more friendly to tune down.

I am up for anything....I would like to get a viewable fire, whatever direction I go. I realize it is not a perfect scenario....seems like the 30 would be unuseful in the fall, but great in the winter.,.....

know anything about the FP12?

I guess I should stop looking at anything over 1000 sq feet?

 

[Jags]

I am not real familiar with the FP12. I would also suggest that you ignore the sqft rating for stove. Most of that is marketing hype. Go by the useable size of the fire box. I would suggest that if overnight fires are a requirement, keep looking at the ~2 cuft range.
If you haven't taken a look at the PE super 27, do so. They are rock solid, will do overnight burns and should be about the size you need. If that ain't your thing, there are others about the same range.

ETA - Oh heck, the FP12 is Englanders 35:1 stove. You will not find many that will recommend a 35:1 stove. They are EPA exempt and kinda notorious for difficult operation.

 

[ironcity]

Thanks...I just looked...looks great....a bit pricey for what I want.....I was hoping to have one for about $1400 including chimney.....which is why I was looking at the Englander's....cabin is only used about 14 weekends from October through April....

thanks for the tips though...most seem to be a 1.9 cu ft box.....How about the BTU? bad statistic?

 

[Jags]

In that price range look at Drolet and some of the other stoves from the box stores. Some are solid, some not so much. Post up what you find and we can comment.
I really like the Englander models, but they don't have a medium stove. They go from 1.8 (Nc13) to 3.5 (nc30). You are probably looking for 2 to 2.5 cuft of stove.
If including the price of the chimney, you may have to look into the used market. I would bet that the chimney, if DIY, is gonna come in at $600-$1000 depending on your install.

 

[Jags]

How about the BTU? bad statistic?

Yes - another hokus pokus number based more off of marketing then real life output.

 

[begreen]

TrueNorth TN19, Timberwolf 2200

 

[rideau]

I'd recommend watching for a good used cat stove, especially if you can take you time and plan for a usable stove next season. That should give you time if you are diligent in watching to find a good used stove. Lots of people change sizes/styles/move etc at the end of the heating season and some good used stoves can become available.

 

[ironcity]

Thanks guys. I was actually looking at the timberwolves 2200 as well....it requires 'accessories' including the pedestal and blower. So, it comes in about $600 more than the nc 13, for roughly the same size. Is the air control on that so much better for my small cabin? Obviously I want to save money, but I want the mist efficient and effective stove,,,,,

Thanks again

 

[Ashful]

I'd be looking for a used or refurb'd Woodstock Fireview or Jotul 8-TDIC.

I've never owned an NC-13, but everything I've read here indicates there's absolutely no way one of those is going to heat you thru the night in a mostly un-insulated log cabin.

 

[begreen]

800 sq ft cabin, in N GA, I think the 13 NC could handle it. This is way south of PA. Caveat with the 13NC is the high hearth insulation requirement, but it is a willing stove.

 

[BrotherBart]

OK. Been accused of it for six years and have never done it. But this is the ideal place for a 30-NC. Load it it half way. Fire the crap out of it and close it down and sleep till a warm morning. Let the mass of the sucker get it done.

 

[ironcity]

All replies appreciated. The last two may make sense to me....one, it is north Georgia....doesn't get below zero much, and not for long when it does.....and I probably won't bother to go up to the cabin much when it does.

So, this will be for keeping the cabin in the low 60s when it is in the 20s to 40s, and for a little ambiance when it is in the 50s and 60s. And., an occasional 'who said anything about global warming' weekend in single digits.

I burned 55 splits last weekend putting in the ceiling upstairs... In the open fireplace. So, it doesn't get hellaciously cold, and I usually stay up until 12 with my Crown...so, I really only need 6-8 hours if overnight burn...if the 1/2 stack works, this might be the bet. Someone also mentioned an extra layer of firebrick to make the box smaller? Would that help?

Thanks guys. You guys in Ontario are probably like 'what the heck does that guy even need a fire for'!