Woodstove for interior Alaska cabin

[EatenByLimestone]

For a 1,450 to 1,850 square foot cabin with 2 floors and 3 bedrooms is one centralized Blaze King King 40 wood stove plenty sufficient for to keep the cabin warm or should there be a smaller wood stove installed on the 2nd floor?

For a utility shed that is used to house the backup diesel generator should I have installed in there a smaller wood stove or a non-electric Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2 Pellet Stove with Hopper in case the generator needs to be warmed up?

Same question for a basement and garage? I'm trying to figure out if all it takes is one giant wood stove or if you should also add in smaller wood stoves or a non-electric gravity fed pellet stove.

First thought is, Yes, that should be enough heat for a 1400sq ft cabin. 1800 in Alaska is probably too big at your low temp. But you have a ton of variables in log cabin construction. Logs shrink and move. You won’t have even insulation. Home placement is a huge consideration as far as sun exposure and wind exposure can change heating requirements . I think a second stove is wise if it can be installed in a safe place. Depending on floor plan, emergency exiting, etc, a safe place may not exist.

Wood stoves in garages are frowned upon by code and insurance companies.

How many different wood stoves are you thinking about trying to run at once now? Are there locals up in the area of Alaska you’re looking into that you can talk to to find out exactly what is needed?

Can you rent a place up there for a year?

 

[Todd]

Yes, centrally locate your wood stove and you should be fine. Go large stove that is radiant if high ceilings and open floor plan.

Use a portable propane heater or diesel heater to heat up you generator shed as needed.

 

[kborndale]

Please don't use the recoheat or any other type of stack robber. They are recipes for chimney fires. Modern stoves do not put enough heat up the flue that you can take some away without cooling the flue to the point of creosote creation. Heat with the stove, not the flue.

 

[Log Home]

I was thinking of one big wood stove like the Blaze King King 40 as the main centralized wood stove. If a basement is part of the plan and within budget I thought about a non-electric Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2 Pellet Stove in the basement and another one in the utility shed.

The two pellet stoves are for a quick heat source for smaller spaces that is non-electric and non-gas.. The pellets can be stored in large plastic containers for convenience...

Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2 Wood Burning or Pellet Stove with Pellet Hopper

Experience the cutting-edge Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2, capable of burning wood and pellets with unmatched efficiency. Save money, embrace self-reliance, and enjoy the safest and most effective rocket heater on the market. Get yours today!

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[qwee]

I'm not sure where you are building exactly - but don't parts of Alaska like around Fairbanks & North Pole have burning bans at times? This might be why many have wood stoves and oil - just in case.

 

[Rich L]

I was thinking of one big wood stove like the Blaze King King 40 as the main centralized wood stove. If a basement is part of the plan and within budget I thought about a non-electric Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2 Pellet Stove in the basement and another one in the utility shed.

The two pellet stoves are for a quick heat source for smaller spaces that is non-electric and non-gas.. The pellets can be stored in large plastic containers for convenience...

Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2 Wood Burning or Pellet Stove with Pellet Hopper

Experience the cutting-edge Liberator Rocket Heater Generation 2, capable of burning wood and pellets with unmatched efficiency. Save money, embrace self-reliance, and enjoy the safest and most effective rocket heater on the market. Get yours today!

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I've had the Blaze King King.I didn't have it hooked up to specs.I got 17 hours of good heat from it.It put out about the same amount of heat as my Hearthstone Mansfield just longer heat times.It would be my second choice of stoves for your location but still a gamble to do the job at those temps.With superb insulation it may succeed.
Now the recoheat is something I'll give an update on in about a month.If it works there is no need for a Cat stove.

 

[kborndale]

I've had the Blaze King King.I didn't have it hooked up to specs.I got 17 hours of good heat from it.It put out about the same amount of heat as my Hearthstone Mansfield just longer heat times.It would be my second choice of stoves for your location but still a gamble to do the job at those temps.With superb insulation it may succeed.
Now the recoheat is something I'll give an update on in about a month.If it works there is no need for a Cat stove.

Make sure you check your chimney often with that creosote maker stealing heat from your flue.

 

[Rich L]

Make sure you check your chimney often with that creosote maker stealing heat from your flue.

I've heard that charge many times.However after listening to the recoheat presentation I'm convinced they have solve the creosote problem that others had not.We'll soon see.

 

[Highbeam]

I’d totally skip those pellet burners. The small outbuildings would be heated with propane or diesel using appropriate heaters.

 

[kborndale]

I've heard that charge many times.However after listening to the recoheat presentation I'm convinced they have solve the creosote problem that others had not.We'll soon see.

Is this the same product that the guy was trying to push here a few months ago? He didn't convince anyone here, it's still removing heat from the flue which is a bad thing with modern stoves because there isn't any heat to spare. Keep us updated with your findings and check your chimney often.

 

[stoveliker]

Frankly, running any modern stove hard, there is heat to spare.
If I run my BK hard, the flue gas temp is 700 F (probe therm 18" or so above the stove). For sure it would not hurt if that decreased to 600 F (depending on flue height, insulation etc.)

So in e.g. Alaska, I could see this thing adding some value.

However, in MA, not so much. IF you have heat to spare that you can extract from the flue, you're not running the stove optimally (if one has a modern stove, and not an old no-baffle smoke dragon).
I.e. IF one benefits from this device in any other circumstance than when pushing it, one is a poor (modern) stove operator.

In that case I agree with kborndale.

 

[Highbeam]

Frankly, running any modern stove hard, there is heat to spare.
If I run my BK hard, the flue gas temp is 700 F (probe therm 18" or so above the stove). For sure it would not hurt if that decreased to 600 F (depending on flue height, insulation etc.)

So in e.g. Alaska, I could see this thing adding some value.

However, in MA, not so much. IF you have heat to spare that you can extract from the flue, you're not running the stove optimally (if one has a modern stove, and not an old no-baffle smoke dragon).
I.e. IF one benefits from this device in any other circumstance than when pushing it, one is a poor (modern) stove operator.

In that case I agree with kborndale.

I hate to further derail the thread with this but yes, stealing heat from a flue is often perfectly reasonable. That's how wood furnaces work. The key is not steal too much heat and cool the flue gasses to the point that creosote condenses.

 

[stovelark]

I just watched a video of it, the narrator explained the system well, and it looks somewhat beneficial. He did not discuss the investment cost, nor the cost of running the pump that circulates the "substantial amount" of warmed air. I'll listen to results, but probably am not going to end-use it. Good luck and please update your findings with it.

 

[Log Home]

I’d totally skip those pellet burners. The small outbuildings would be heated with propane or diesel using appropriate heaters.

I don't think that would be a good idea due to a few reasons...

Mechanical issues/failure: Propane does not vaporize at roughly around negative -44 degrees below zero. There are some days in interior Alaska it gets down to negative -58 below zero F...

The diesel backup generator could have mechanical issues and won't start, it also isn't unlimited use, it is connected to a tank that needs to be refilled. The diesel tank is used to power the generator to recharge the solar battery bank. I want the backup diesel generator to be used specifically to recharge the battery bank and limit the amount of diesel fuel used/spent annually. If that diesel generator won't start due to extreme cold/mechanical issue, I need an independent fuel source heater in the utility shed to warm it up in there to warm up the diesel generator to thaw it out. The non-electric pellet stove is a good option.

Also, logistics: The area I'm going to be building at is a little more remote, it might be a problem for diesel or propane fuel delivery to get there especially in winter during or after a snow storm, fallen trees etc.

I want a non-electric non-gas heater that is 100% independent that operates with pellet fire to heat spaces that operates at temperatures that propane and diesel could struggle at. The pellets are cheap compared to diesel fuel or propane fuel.

A 40lb pound bag of pellets can cost roughly around $4 to $7 dollars a bag. 200lb pounds of pellets for $25 dollars will last many years...

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[Highbeam]

I don't think that would be a good idea due to a few reasons...

Mechanical issues/failure: Propane does not vaporize at roughly around negative -44 degrees below zero. There are some days in interior Alaska it gets down to negative -58 below zero F...

The diesel backup generator could have mechanical issues and won't start, it also isn't unlimited use, it is connected to a tank that needs to be refilled. The diesel tank is used to power the generator to recharge the solar battery bank. I want the backup diesel generator to be used specifically to recharge the battery bank and limit the amount of diesel fuel used/spent annually. If that diesel generator won't start due to extreme cold/mechanical issue, I need an independent fuel source heater in the utility shed to warm it up in there to warm up the diesel generator to thaw it out. The non-electric pellet stove is a good option.

Also, logistics: The area I'm going to be building at is a little more remote, it might be a problem for diesel or propane fuel delivery to get there especially in winter during or after a snow storm, fallen trees etc.

I want a non-electric non-gas heater that is 100% independent that operates with pellet fire to heat spaces that operates at temperatures that propane and diesel could struggle at. The pellets are cheap compared to diesel fuel or propane fuel.

A 40lb pound bag of pellets can cost roughly around $4 to $7 dollars a bag. 200lb pounds of pellets for $25 dollars will last many years...

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The diesel heaters are suitable at your lowest temperatures and do need 12 volt power.

Getting diesel or lpg is no harder than pellets. I’d definitely drop the pellet idea but let us know if it works.

 

[Log Home]

The diesel heaters are suitable at your lowest temperatures and do need 12 volt power.

Getting diesel or lpg is no harder than pellets. I’d definitely drop the pellet idea but let us know if it works.

I will have a diesel backup generator to recharge the battery bank of the solar system, the diesel fuel tank will also be used to provide fuel to the Toyo OM-122DW instantaneous oil-fired water heater...

What happens if there is a mechanical problem with the diesel generator? They are not 100% bullet proof. The pellet stove does not require any electricity or gas/diesel/propane to operate. You can stock pile in bulk plastic containers of pellets for a cheap price that will last years.

Diesel and propane fuel delivery is not easy and not guaranteed off the grid in remote areas during/after a snow storm and when roads are out...

There has to be a backup heat source to warm up the generator room when the diesel generator has a malfunction. In the video below they're having problems with their diesel generator at -36C / -32F (Northern Canada)...

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[Highbeam]

In an outbuilding I’d store the propane tank inside where it’s being warmed by the propane heater so that the outside temperature doesn’t matter.

You can stockpile propane. It lasts forever. I have 8 tanks.

There’s a reason that none of these Alaska folks use pellets.

 

[gthomas785]

You're planning to use a diesel generator but worried about the availability of diesel in winter for running a heater?
Just install a diesel heater hooked to the same tank as the generator. If you can't get diesel then no need to heat the generator shed as the generator won't have any fuel anyway.

 

[Log Home]

In an outbuilding I’d store the propane tank inside where it’s being warmed by the propane heater so that the outside temperature doesn’t matter.

You can stockpile propane. It lasts forever. I have 8 tanks.

There’s a reason that none of these Alaska folks use pellets.

What happens if there is any mechanical problem with the propane heater?
How big are those propane tanks and how long does the propane tanks last before needing refilling and what is the cost or propane per tank? How much $$$ ?

What happens if you run out of propane during winter and the roads are out and you're in a remote area where the roads are out?

Propane is not recommended by Alaskans in interior.

Over at https://diysolarforum.com/ they don't recommend propane in Alaska for very good reasons...

Diesel is far more widely relied upon than propane across Alaska, especially in rural areas and for critical infrastructure.

• Rural Power Generation: Over 150 rural communities in Alaska depend on diesel fuel for electricity, with local diesel generators being the primary source of power. These systems are unique in the U.S. and often operate as non-profits with tight budgets, making them highly sensitive to fuel price fluctuations.
• Home Heating: In many parts of Alaska, especially rural regions, diesel (heating fuel) is the primary heating source. For example, in the Nome area, 90% of households use heating fuel. Even in cities like Juneau and Fairbanks, a significant number of families rely on diesel for heating.
• Propane Use: While propane is used in some homes, it is not a dominant energy source. In fact, almost all homes in rural Alaska use oil or wood for heating, and propane is not typically the preferred or most economical choice in these remote areas.
• Cost and Availability: Diesel costs are among the highest in the country in remote villages—over $8 per gallon in some areas—due to transportation challenges. Propane, while sometimes used, does not offer a significant cost advantage and is not as widely available or relied upon.

 

[Highbeam]

What happens if there is any mechanical problem with the propane heater?
How big are those propane tanks and how long does the propane tanks last before needing refilling and what is the cost or propane per tank? How much $$$ ?

What happens if you run out of propane during winter and the roads are out and you're in a remote area where the roads are out?

Propane is not recommended by Alaskans in interior.

Over at https://diysolarforum.com/ they don't recommend propane in Alaska for very good reasons...

Diesel is far more widely relied upon than propane across Alaska, especially in rural areas and for critical infrastructure.

• Rural Power Generation: Over 150 rural communities in Alaska depend on diesel fuel for electricity, with local diesel generators being the primary source of power. These systems are unique in the U.S. and often operate as non-profits with tight budgets, making them highly sensitive to fuel price fluctuations.
• Home Heating: In many parts of Alaska, especially rural regions, diesel (heating fuel) is the primary heating source. For example, in the Nome area, 90% of households use heating fuel. Even in cities like Juneau and Fairbanks, a significant number of families rely on diesel for heating.
• Propane Use: While propane is used in some homes, it is not a dominant energy source. In fact, almost all homes in rural Alaska use oil or wood for heating, and propane is not typically the preferred or most economical choice in these remote areas.
• Cost and Availability: Diesel costs are among the highest in the country in remote villages—over $8 per gallon in some areas—due to transportation challenges. Propane, while sometimes used, does not offer a significant cost advantage and is not as widely available or relied upon.

Cool, so use diesel to heat those outbuildings. Great idea. If you just really want to try that gimmicky pellet stove then do it. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Log Home]

You're planning to use a diesel generator but worried about the availability of diesel in winter for running a heater?
Just install a diesel heater hooked to the same tank as the generator. If you can't get diesel then no need to heat the generator shed as the generator won't have any fuel anyway.

Yes, because you can not predict the future and unforeseen events can occur especially off the grid in remote areas where you can be cut off from towns/access/help...

It's about covering all bases in a emergency situation in case the backup diesel generator has a mechanical issue or it gets too cold for the diesel generator to operate. The heated shed with a pellet stove will warm the inside of the shed to help the diesel generator to start up. The pellet stove is just for emergencies only, it's not a daily heat source.

The utility shed will be kept warm daily by a independent solar air heater that operates on it's own separate from the main solar battery bank with two solar panels...

The utility shed will be 100% independent solar heated by two separate solar panels completely away from the cabin. It will not draw any power from the main battery bank. That works during the day when the sun is out...

Heated by Artica Solar...

Arctica Solar - Solar Air Heating

Arctica Solar is a designer and manufacturer of solar air heating systems and renewable heating systems

www.arcticasolar.com

In the videos above, those are real life people living in Alaska and northern Canada having real life problems in the middle of winter where things break down like their generators.

 

[Log Home]

Cool, so use diesel to heat those outbuildings. Great idea. If you just really want to try that gimmicky pellet stove then do it. Let us know how it goes.

You keep avoiding the fact and not wanting to address the question when/if there is a diesel engine malfunction. You keep avoiding that important fact and being off the grid in a remote area (roads are out) and no diesel mechanic/repair man can get there...

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[stoveliker]

You keep avoiding the fact and not wanting to address the question when/if there is a diesel engine malfunction. You keep avoiding that important fact and being off the grid in a remote area (roads are out) and no diesel mechanic/repair man can get there...

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No, you are talking about a pellet heater for the diesel Generator.
If the generator malfunctions, you don't need the pellet stove anyway.
And diesel heaters (to replace the pellet heater) are very low tech.

So have a diesel generator and a diesel heater with it, is what I understood the suggestion was.

 

[Log Home]

No, you are talking about a pellet heater for the diesel Generator.
If the generator malfunctions, you don't need the pellet stove anyway.
And diesel heaters (to replace the pellet heater) are very low tech.

So have a diesel generator and a diesel heater with it, is what I understood the suggestion was.

Yes, for very good reasons to keep the inside of the utility shed warm if there is any emergency when it's negative -58 below zero F outside.

If the generator malfunctions, the pellet stove is important to make sure the inside of that utility shed is above freezing so a diesel mechanic (if they can come out to fix it) is not trying to work in negative -58 degrees below zero F and will be able work in a area that is not life threatening. Better to work on a diesel generator in a 70 degree shed than a negative -58 below zero F shed. Also, keeping that utility shed above freezing will make that diesel generator easier to repair and to start. Will be sort of hard to thaw out that diesel generator and get it started when it's sitting there in -58 below zero.

I'm also trying to limit the number of things that will be plumbed into that diesel tank to reduce diesel consumption and save on diesel fuel costs. One of my main reasons to be living off the grid is to eliminate as many utility bill payments as possible and to go as long as possible without having to refill the diesel fuel tank. I want to be as independent from fuel as much and as long as possible as I can.

After going through the numbers/data, I can save over $1,200 dollars a year and over $12,000 dollars over 10 years by limiting the diesel fuel use this way. I've thought about running many appliances and heating sources through that diesel tank, it adds up fast and the tank needs refilling faster. I want to go as long as possible from relying on fuel as much as I can.

That heated utility shed can also be used as an emergency shelter in case of a fire in the log cabin and the log cabin burns down in the middle of winter. You never know.

 

[Highbeam]

Any mechanic that will come will have a diesel heater. They call them salamander heaters. He won’t even shut his truck off.

Have more than one generator.

Forget the pellet idea.

I wish you well.