Swapped my rock for an NC30

[johnstra]

I agonized on the decision for some time, but decided to go ahead swap my Mansfield out for an NC30. I was able to sell the rock for $2k.

I'll miss a lot of things about the Mansfield, but in the end I needed to be able to get heat out of the stove quickly so I went with steel.

I've had several fires in it now, and I'm not at all disappointed in how quickly I can get the beast hot. I can go from room temp to 500 in about 20 minutes. Burn times seem on par with the Mansfield. I haven't figured out how to control the fire well yet, so I can't give a good comparison. I'm having trouble keeping it under 700 after reloading and it's not cold enough out to justify that kind of heat. I'm reloading at about 350* and I start cutting the air inside of 15 minutes, but it still runs up to 700 very easily.

The secondary burn on the 30 is more vigorous than on the Mansfield and the stove circulates air better - I get more complete burns in roughly the same amount of time. The Mansfield had trouble burning wood at the back of the firebox and on either side.

Another reason I did the swap is that I just felt paranoid about cracking stones. If you all remember, I had one crack after only a couple of weeks and I never overfired. Overall, I give the Hearthstone high marks, but it wasn't the best fit for me.

 

[begreen]

Time to change your signature and hit BB up for a tshirt.

 

[moosetrek]

As long as you're happy with it; you gotta look at everyday - and they're both great stoves though I've never burned the Hearthstone. Did you get the blower on the 30?

 

[johnstra]

I actually like the looks of the 30. Sure, it's hard to match the beauty of the soapstone, but looks isn't the main reason I bought.

No fan. I hate the noise. I might change my mind when it's -20 next January, but I'm going to try without it first.

 

[snowleopard]

You sound relieved. Stoves should bring joy, not be something to agonize over. Good on ya for doing the right thing for you, and for getting a decent sum out of it. You made someone else happy, and yourself. Sounds like a good day's work.

Best wishes with the stove.

 

[johnstra]

I'm still a big fan of the stone. If my stove was centrally located and I had more time to get and keep the heat rolling, I wouldn't hesitate to have one again. The Mansfield is like a freight train... once you get it up to temp it pumps out nice even for a long time.

 

[BrotherBart]

Here's yer shirt!

 

[HotCoals]

Before I clicked on I though someone traded their diamond for a stove..lol.

 

[johnstra]

Thanks BB! And here's a pic...

 

[HotCoals]

OMG..a tube stove with smoke on the class..tell me it isn't so! lol

 

[North of 60]

Sounds like your gonna have at least a $grand$ left over to buy some new harvesting toys,wood or something. Glad its working out.

 

[johnstra]

Yup... glass does get dirtier on the 30 than on the Mansfield. Mansfield's air wash seems stronger. I don't know if I'll try plugging the zipper air like BB. If I can't keep the glass cleaner after I get to know the stove better I might try that.

 

[Hogwildz]

Cut your splits a couple inches shorter. New cuts, burn what ya have as is. That should make a big difference in the glass issue.
Put LARGE splits in and that will greatly help the high heat issue.

 

[johnstra]

I loaded 2 large splits (7-8") with 3 smaller splits last night and it still ran up to 700. That load was was coals 11 hours later this morning, so I'll go for all big pieces tonight.

With the Mansfield, I really had to get a load cooking strong before cutting primary air to get good secondaries. I don't need to do that w/ the 30. I have to cut the air back a lot sooner.

The glass only gets dirty when I shut the primary air all the way off. I'm going to try keeping it open a bit more to see what happens. The pieces I'm burning are 16-18", so they should be short enough. I'm probably loading them too close to the glass though.

 

[Hogwildz]

I loaded 2 large splits (7-8") with 3 smaller splits last night and it still ran up to 700. That load was was coals 11 hours later this morning, so I'll go for all big pieces tonight.

With the Mansfield, I really had to get a load cooking strong before cutting primary air to get good secondaries. I don't need to do that w/ the 30. I have to cut the air back a lot sooner.

The glass only gets dirty when I shut the primary air all the way off. I'm going to try keeping it open a bit more to see what happens. The pieces I'm burning are 16-18", so they should be short enough. I'm probably loading them too close to the glass though.

The 700 degrees most likely is in the beginning stages where the volatiles are burning off the most. It should settle down within a couple hours into the burn.
Put the wood in further yes. You may have wood that is still a bit moister than optimal. We all go through it. Those huge splits take a couple years to dry out.
Your still becoming "one" with your new stove. It will get better each year for the next few years.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Where are you measuring the temps? Stovetop? flue pipe? Cant seem to get mine over 600 measured on the stovetop right next to the flue exit. But it does cruise at 500-600 for long periods.

 

[johnstra]

I measure temps a couple of inches in front of the step-down on top. My wood is very dry (~10% moisture content), which is why I think I get high heat quickly.

 

[snowleopard]

That is one gorgeous hearth!

My condolences on your cat, who appears to have expired in front of the stove.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I measure temps a couple of inches in front of the step-down on top. My wood is very dry (~10% moisture content), which is why I think I get high heat quickly.

I can get to 550-600 in 20 minutes from a cold stove but it dont go over that, Ill try to move the gauge forward to the position you describe.

 

[johnstra]

Thanks for the compliment, SLeapard. Yeah, Leo definitely looks lifeless there. He somehow took the dog's spot tonight... don't know how he managed that.

Hog - 4 real big splits on tonight and it's settled in at ~575. That appears to work pretty well. It's only supposed to get down to 28* tonight, so it's gonna be toasty downstairs. Fortunately I can keep the bedrooms cool.

 

[moosetrek]

So how do you like the new stove after a few days? Was it a worthwhile swap?

Just looking at your excellent hearth - are the R-values the same for the Mansfield and the 30?

 

[gdk84]

To the OP, What are you using for a thermo?

 

[johnstra]

I won't really be able to say till I see cold weather. So far, I like the 30. I love the rapid heat up and I like the 700* stovetop. I'm still learning the stove, though. Glass gets dirty on low burns with very dry wood. Some folks seem to be able to keep clear glass, so I'll work on that.

Dollar-wise, I'm happy with the swap. I paid $2800 for the Mansfield and I sold it for $2000 - plus I maxed out the rebate from uncle sam. So getting the 30 for $650 w/ free delivery put me in the black.

My hearth is overkill. It's build w/ steel studs and it has 4" of rockwool for insulation. I can't remember the R-value, but it's very high. The 30 requires more protection than the Mansfield, but I built the hearth not knowing which stove I would use, so I over-engineered the R-value.

 

[HotCoals]

Join the club(dirty class) I can admit mine gets dirty also ..but I don't care much.
I just clean it in a min or two with a razor scraper every couple days if needed..some say you should not do that but I have had no probs(scratches).

 

[firefighterjake]

Gotta agree with Snowleopard . . . stunning hearth . . . and cute cat.