Which lopi stove and why

[CJScooter]

We have 1800 sq feet to heat. Choice between lopi republic 1750 and lopi endeavor. Any input would be great.

Is bypass damper a must? Is a blower a must?

Any suggestions for a hearth? Do not like the pre fab hearth pads. Rustic stone of some type.

Thanks CJ

 

[begreen]

One is a less expensive version of the other. Neither the damper or blower are necessities, but they can be nice for certain installations. The bypass damper can mean less smokey starts, especially if the flue is not too tall and/or the weather is mild. The blower will depend on the house and stove location. If you have an open floorplan where the heat can natural circulate, perhaps with the aid of a ceiling fan, then you may not need a blower. If the stove is in a ranch at the end of the house and you want it to blow down the hallway towards the kitchen, then the convection fan can be a very nice addition.

There are lots of nice hearths posted here. Search for stone hearth and also take a look at some of the gallery pictures.
https://www.hearth.com/gall/v/WoodStoves/

 

[Pagey]

See my Endeavor review here: https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/37171/

The bypass damper is not a "must", but it does help tremendously on starting from a cold stove and when you sweep the flue.

 

[rdust]

If money isn't an issue I think the Endeavor is the clear winner for me just on looks alone. I love the step top on a steel stove. Function will be similar between the two stoves(same size firebox) and you can't go wrong with either one. In my climate/house layout I think the blower is a must have and I really like the bypass damper. Sure I could have lived without the damper but I chose not to.

If you were closer I'd hook you up with a good deal on used one with two seasons of use.

 

[MarkinNC]

The bypass damper is a must for me and I cannot imagine running a modern stove without one. IMO, one if the secrets to running a stove well is to establish a good draft and the bypass damper makes this easier, not to mention keeping smoke out of the house. Our stove is installed in one corner of the home and effectively pushes the heat to the other corner with the blower and a ceiling fan pushing the air down. You really only need ember protection for the endeavor so I guess what ever y'all like the looks of.

The main reason we got the Endeavor initially was because of clearances. We were being pushed hard to buy a Leyden and I was told it was a no brainer UNTIL I made cardboard cutouts of the stove foot prints. The clearances on the endeavor are very close and a lot of other stoves looked like they stuck out "into the middle of the room." Retrospectively I am glad I got a heat shielded convective stove. If I had a large noncombustible hearth that was centrally located. I may consider a may radiant stove without the heat shielding.

My 1600 SF+ home was built in 1997 and the Endeavor is about right for the climate up here in the Asheville area. If you are in NE GA (like around Clayton) your weather is probably pretty close to mine. If your in a newer home in southern GA, you prolly won't need big fires.

I got the outside air kit, or OAK as they call it on here. I see no harm from doing that, only potential benefits.

 

[leeave96]

We have 1800 sq feet to heat. Choice between lopi republic 1750 and lopi endeavor. Any input would be great.

Is bypass damper a must? Is a blower a must?

Any suggestions for a hearth? Do not like the pre fab hearth pads. Rustic stone of some type.

Thanks CJ

Looking at the two stoves, the Endeavor and 1750, they are the same 2.2 cu ft box. If $$$'s are an issue, you'd probably be fine with the 1750. I've seen the Endeavor and it looks like a very heavy duty stove.

I don't think a bypass damper is required - I don't hear the Englander folks wishing they had one. A blower option is a good thing to have in your hip pocket for later if you need it.

Both are steel plate stoves and to me one looks as good as the other. Having said that, if $$$'s are a concern, you might check out the Englander 30. It is a steel plate stove, has a larger firebox, offers a blower as an option, has a great reputation on this forum and it perhaps the best bang for the buck in woodstoves.

Good luck,
Bill

 

[CJScooter]

Thanks for all the input on which Lopi stove to choose. The good thing is both come with a free blower this month. The Endeavor is 600.00 more than the 1750 republic. Now the decision as to the bypass damper. I agree the two levels to cook on would be nice with the Endeavor. I just don't want to regret no getting the Endeavor for 400.00 more since the blower is free this month. A 230.00 value.


The stove is going in the family room that is open to the dining area and to the stairs leading upstairs. Bedroom is also off main room so i think either is ok. But i was told the output for the 1750 max is the same as Endeavor but only with blower on. The Endevor heats up to 2000 sq feet even without the blower.

Any suggestions as to how high the hearth pad should be?


Thanks CJ

 

[fossil]

I heat ~2500 ft² with a Lopi Liberty. I always use the blower when the stove's burning, and I really like the bypass damper for facilitating startups. Both my cousin and one of my nephews who live nearby have Endeavors in their homes (both of which are somewhat smaller than mine), and they are very happy with their stoves. If the price difference won't break your bank, I'd go with the Endeavor. I actually wish my Liberty had the Endeavor's firebox depth...it really makes N-S loading easy, whereas in the Liberty, even though the firebox is larger overall, I'm looking at barely 16" to work with N-S. No stove is perfect, but Lopi's a good product so far as my experience tells me, and I don't think you'll be disappointed with the Endeavor. Rick

 

[fossil]

...Any suggestions as to how high the hearth pad should be?...

I burn in two stoves...one in the house, and another out in my workshop across the driveway. In both cases, I had masonry hearths built that lifted the stoves 12" above floor height. I love them that way. I think they look good, and I don't have to do so much bending over to tend the stoves. Couple of old pics attached (shop cabinets have since been finished and the house remodeled...but the hearths remain just as shown). Rick

 

[CJScooter]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks again for all your input. It was much appreciated to decide on our wood stove. We chose the Endeavor over the republic 1750. Will let you know how it goes when installed. Still have to decide on the hearth though.

Cheers CJ

 

[rdust]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks again for all your input. It was much appreciated to decide on our wood stove. We chose the Endeavor over the republic 1750. Will let you know how it goes when installed. Still have to decide on the hearth though.

Cheers CJ

It's a great heater, you're going to love it! Remember dry wood and a good flue are key to having a good running stove.

 

[Redbear86]

just scored a lopi endeavor for 250 bucks, picked it up outta a guys basement said it was in the house whne he bought it about 6 years ago and he only fired it on chirstmas eve, very little wear on it. i like the pewter doors the most but not really willing to spend the money for one, i was wondering if i sand the brass door if it would hold silver stove paint?

 

[Todd]

Wow great score! I think I would check with a local dealer and see if they were willing to swap one with you or get a good discount. I don't think the paint would look as good.

 

[robertmcw]

I got a used Avalon Olympin 1190 last year and I asked my dealer to price a new door. I think you will pay more than the new door than you paid for the stove. Can you deal with just a new shell? That is a lot cheaper. You still got a great deal.

 

[raybonz]

...Any suggestions as to how high the hearth pad should be?...

I burn in two stoves...one in the house, and another out in my workshop across the driveway. In both cases, I had masonry hearths built that lifted the stoves 12" above floor height. I love them that way. I think they look good, and I don't have to do so much bending over to tend the stoves. Couple of old pics attached (shop cabinets have since been finished and the house remodeled...but the hearths remain just as shown). Rick

Nice stoves and hearth's Rick! I would think the bypass would be a good thing on reloads especially if you are adding to a burning fire..

Ray

 

[MarkinNC]

The door on my stove has an outside shell that you can interchange, I have the pewter door shell starts in the $200 range. You can interchange the legs pretty easily as well.

 

[Redbear86]

thanks for the info on the shell, saved me a few phone calls i'm sure, so pretty much i need to find sombody who wants to trade, $200 isnt an option, i burn wood because i'm cheap