Thinking of going to a freestander

[weatherguy]

I guess I got the bug for a new stove, I think I could get better heat from a free stander and I think I could do it with little work, opinions on what needs to be done and what stoves (something close in size to my Princess or bigger) would work. My hearth comes out 18 inches but I can extend that easily and there's no combustibles since its a basement floor covered in tile.
here's my current set up\\

 

[Highbeam]

Was the terrier the mommy or the daddy of your pup? I have a pug and I've seen a rhodesian, wow.

I dislike inserts but is there a particular weakness that you're trying to beat? Is it the noise of constant fans, or the output?

 

[mellow]

I have a rear vent stove in my future as well. Is the Ashford going to have rear vent option?

 

[jeff_t]

Sounds like a good excuse for the new Woodstock stove.

 

[weatherguy]

Sounds like a good excuse for the new Woodstock stove.

Progress is near the top of my list

Was the terrier the mommy or the daddy of your pup? I have a pug and I've seen a rhodesian, wow.
I dislike inserts but is there a particular weakness that you're trying to beat? Is it the noise of constant fans, or the output?

Output mainly,
Weird, my whole message didn't show up, Im not sure who was the mommy or the daddy, she was a rescue dog, I found out her breed from a DNA test.

If the new BK was rear exit I'd definately consider it but doesn't look like it will be.

 

[webby3650]

I have a rear vent stove in my future as well. Is the Ashford going to have rear vent option?

It appears to be top exit only.

 

[BrotherBart]

I would run the Princess without the surround for a little while as a test of how a free stander would heat. If and only if you have a block off plate.

 

[weatherguy]

I would run the Princess without the surround for a little while as a test of how a free stander would heat. If and only if you have a block off plate.

Good idea, I do have a block off plate with roxul behind it. You think that would similate a free stander?

 

[BrotherBart]

Don't see how it wouldn't. The heat has to go somewhere. Convection will set up in the fireplace like a free stander like mine does.

 

[Blue Vomit]

Weatherguy,
I'm going the other way... Switching from a free stander to a princess insert. Oslo to princess. Burn times are my reason.
Can you give me some insight to your set up, area heating, location in house, chimney, etc. I'm interested in your opinion and reason for the switch. Could you elaborate a bit on your desire for better output.
Thanks

 

[PLAYS WITH FIRE]

I run my stove with out the surround and it lets the heat out instead of it trapped behind the surround.

 

[weatherguy]

Weatherguy,
I'm going the other way... Switching from a free stander to a princess insert. Oslo to princess. Burn times are my reason.
Can you give me some insight to your set up, area heating, location in house, chimney, etc. I'm interested in your opinion and reason for the switch. Could you elaborate a bit on your desire for better output.
Thanks

I have the stove in the FP in the lower level (about 1200 sf) near an open stairway to the upper level (1800 sf) the stove is in the middle of the house, Im heating more than the stove is capable of, I thought a freestander may give me another 10+% or so. If I was only heating 2200sf or less I wouldn't have a problem, as it is I only use one tank of oil a year, was trying to get it even lower. I'm going to try with the surround off and see how that does.
How many sf are you heating? Maybe we should meet up and trade stoves

 

[Blue Vomit]

I have the stove in the FP in the lower level (about 1200 sf) near an open stairway to the upper level (1800 sf) the stove is in the middle of the house, Im heating more than the stove is capable of, I thought a freestander may give me another 10+% or so. If I was only heating 2200sf or less I wouldn't have a problem, as it is I only use one tank of oil a year, was trying to get it even lower. I'm going to try with the surround off and see how that does.
How many sf are you heating? Maybe we should meet up and trade stoves

I wish... I'm heating about 2300 sq ft. 2 levels. Fireplace is on the main level, corner of the house. I've done the research and I'm confident in my decision. It's all about the burn times for me at this point. I'm relieving the wife completely of any wood burning duties so ill sacrifice burning a little more oil if I have to.
I figure ill put the Oslo up for sale in late oct or nov, unless you want to drive down and pick it up!

 

[weatherguy]

I wish... I'm heating about 2300 sq ft. 2 levels. Fireplace is on the main level, corner of the house. I've done the research and I'm confident in my decision. It's all about the burn times for me at this point. I'm relieving the wife completely of any wood burning duties so ill sacrifice burning a little more oil if I have to.
I figure ill put the Oslo up for sale in late oct or nov, unless you want to drive down and pick it up!

You'll definitely get long burn times, how long of a burn do you get out of the Oslo?

 

[Blue Vomit]

You'll definitely get long burn times, how long of a burn do you get out of the Oslo?

I can get a 9 hour burn out of the Oslo. The problem is only about the first 6 hours are real usable heat. The last three hours she is just holding on to the coals for me.

 

[Blue Vomit]

You'll definitely get long burn times, how long of a burn do you get out of the Oslo?

A little more of my saga for you.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/bk-princess-insert-questions.113425/

 

[jeffesonm]

I'm replacing my Osburn Matrix insert with a Jotul F55 for better output and no noise. Give me a few weeks and I'll let you know how it goes, although the output test won't be until Dec/Jan when it gets real cold.