If you could do it over again - which stove would you choose?

venator260 said:

1. 30 NC

2. I want an ash grate because I'm tired of sifting. I think I have decently dry wood, but even after a 12 hour burn, I will have 3-4 inches of an ash/coal mixture in the bottom of my stove. I don't like to toss the coals, so I sift out the ash. I would much rather just toss them around above a grate, and have the ash fall out of the bottom. I envision it somewhat like running a coal stove; ash out the bottom, new fuel on the top, and the fire never really dies out, and I wouldn't have to wait around as much to burn it down. Coals that aren't enmeshed in ash seem to burn hotter as well, allowing me to push the stove harder.

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I'd say look at the Woodstock steel stoves, but they are hybrid, not straight tube stoves. They also can rear-vent if you want...

I'm at the start of a do-over right now. Recently bought a weekend getaway with an old, beat up Jotul 118 in it, and about to replace it with a new Quadra Fire 4300.

The Quad isn't so much my dream stove (not sure I have one), but it's clean enough to qualify for the highest rebate in the VT change out program and the hearth size requirements exactly match the dimensions of the stone pads already set into the wood flooring. And the dealer was really pushing it

Was also considering a new Jotul or a Lopi, but they didn't qualify for as high a rebate. I like the north-south loading of the Quad and it looks like it should have better control of the primary air than a Lopi. I didn't consider a catalytic stove because it will be running on high frequently to warm up the place, so I wouldn't be getting the long and low burn advantage of the catalyst, but I would have to worry about whether it would be fouled up by whatever scrap paper (or worse) I'm using to start the fire.

I currently have a Super 27 Heritage and wouldn't want anything else. Other than maybe going with an enamel finish or fancier trim, I wouldn't want to change a thing. I absolutely love this stove.

Have you looked at the jotul f45 or f50? These are much nicer looking north/south loaders. I didn't check clearances so I'm not sure if they will fit your hearth pad or not. If it were me I would spend some serious time finding my dream stove. Rebates are great but would you rather think "man I love this stove" every time you stare at it or "glad I got a great rebate on this stove".

RandyBoBandy said:

Have you looked at the jotul f45 or f50? These are much nicer looking north/south loaders. I didn't check clearances so I'm not sure if they will fit your hearth pad or not. If it were me I would spend some serious time finding my dream stove. Rebates are great but would you rather think "man I love this stove" every time you stare at it or "glad I got a great rebate on this stove".

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Unfortunately we're working on a deadline that the insurance company gave to fix the clearance issues with the old 118. There's other things that need doing around the house, so getting the stove off the to-do list is a priority.

I should also point out that after the rebate and a coupon from Quad, the cost is about $600 (plus installation, minor chimney repair, etc.), so if I don't it like chances are I can get most of my money back selling it used, and go buy a nicer stove when I have more time to look.

The F50 does look like a nice stove, but for what it will cost I'd want to spend time looking at other stoves too.

tpenny67 said:

Unfortunately we're working on a deadline that the insurance company gave to fix the clearance issues with the old 118. There's other things that need doing around the house, so getting the stove off the to-do list is a priority.

I should also point out that after the rebate and a coupon from Quad, the cost is about $600 (plus installation, minor chimney repair, etc.), so if I don't it like chances are I can get most of my money back selling it used, and go buy a nicer stove when I have more time to look.

The F50 does look like a nice stove, but for what it will cost I'd want to spend time looking at other stoves too.

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There are enough options out there to make your head spin. I tend to gravitate toward the classic cast iron stoves. That quad you are looking at would would look nice with the Queen Anne legs on it.

I have ZERO regrets for my 30NC.

They could call me up and I'd go sell them to Miami residents.

Woody Stover said:

I'd say look at the Woodstock steel stoves, but they are hybrid, not straight tube stoves. They also can rear-vent if you want...

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I'm not married to the idea of a tube-only stove. As a matter of fact, I was wanting to get an Ideal Steel hybrid. My plan was to burn a mixture of wood and coal (depending on heating need) in my combo stove for another year, and then grab an Ideal Steel in the fall of 2017. However, the grates warped such that was beginning to become unusable, and it was too old to find easy replacements for. With the 30 NC at Home Depot for $700 + a $300 tax credit, I figured that was a better idea than putting money into a 35+ year old stove. I still have the old stove, and I may still fix it back up. I'm sentimental about some stuff, and that stove was initially owned by my great grandfather. My grandfather purchased it at his estate sale, and used it for the next 28 years. I checked around though, and it seems as though that would involve getting a foundry to do a one off casting for me.

I liked the idea of a hybrid stove so that I could idle it down in the spring and fall, and crank it up in the dead of winter. Recently, I've seen pictures inside of that stove, and their ash grate system seems like something I would like using.

I've also kicked around the idea of a hot air wood furnace to replace the 30 NC I don't have ducts, but I don't think they'd be too hard to run in my house, and it would solve my present issue of an overly cold upstairs and generally poor heat distribution.

venator260 said:

I'm not married to the idea of a tube-only stove. As a matter of fact, I was wanting to get an Ideal Steel hybrid. My plan was to burn a mixture of wood and coal (depending on heating need) in my combo stove for another year, and then grab an Ideal Steel in the fall of 2017. However, the grates warped such that was beginning to become unusable, and it was too old to find easy replacements for. With the 30 NC at Home Depot for $700 + a $300 tax credit, I figured that was a better idea than putting money into a 35+ year old stove. I still have the old stove, and I may still fix it back up. I'm sentimental about some stuff, and that stove was initially owned by my great grandfather. My grandfather purchased it at his estate sale, and used it for the next 28 years. I checked around though, and it seems as though that would involve getting a foundry to do a one off casting for me.

I liked the idea of a hybrid stove so that I could idle it down in the spring and fall, and crank it up in the dead of winter. Recently, I've seen pictures inside of that stove, and their ash grate system seems like something I would like using.

I've also kicked around the idea of a hot air wood furnace to replace the 30 NC I don't have ducts, but I don't think they'd be too hard to run in my house, and it would solve my present issue of an overly cold upstairs and generally poor heat distribution.

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WOW, that old stove has some real family history. If you could justify the cost of fixing it, I would sure do it.

BuckyBeaver524 said:

WOW, that old stove has some real family history. If you could justify the cost of fixing it, I would sure do it.

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Yeah. I feel the same way. I just need to check into getting a new piece of the grate made. Since I have a new stove, it's not pressing at the moment. Outside of the grate, it could use a coat of paint is about all. Burning coal, it was a serious heater.

1. Englander Nc30. Love it for the money I spent for it (729 delivered new to my door from the Big Orange Box(home depot)). First experience with an EPA stove and it is so much better than my old Wondercoal I burned wood (and coal) in.

2. D.S. Stove Energymax 110 (http://www.messickstove.com/product...od--coal-stoves/energymax-plus-110/index.html). Not EPA certified, but they get around it because it's also an anthracite heater.. Has secondary burn tubes up top. Now touted as mostly a furnace but many in the local Amish community use these as a woodstove. HUGE and at 680 lbs one hell a chunk of steel heating mass! Close to $2k msrp, probably coulda got a floor model for 14- 1500.

At the time I bought my Englander I was in a crunch due to my concrete block chimney dying(broke clay thimble and block chimney in bad shape). So for like 1200 instead of 2200, I got a new stove and class a chimney that isn't my dream (maybe someday when the finances align better), but I am extremely happy with it.



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electrathon said:

Have a hearthstone heritage. Pretty stove, gobbles up wood, puts out little heat, very short burn times.

Likely would replace it with a Blaze king. Previous stove was one. Used less wood, made way more heat, similar burn times.

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Why would the Princess have the short burn times as your Hearthstone ? You said the Princess had similar burns times as the heritage.The Blaze Kings tout long burn times.I'm confused.

1/ I have an Oslo 500.
2/ I would want a Messick model 160, the bigger brother to the model 110 mentioned by SpAmSoNiTe. but, I would need to have replaced the floor joists with a poured concrete slab and I don't have the money.

fibels said:

Why would the Princess have the short burn times as your Hearthstone ? You said the Princess had similar burns times as the heritage.The Blaze Kings tout long burn times.I'm confused.

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I hadn't noticed that before. You had a BK and went to a Hearthstone? Must have been a hell of a salesman!

Currently running a PE Super 27. Completely satisfied.
If I were to replace it I'd likely put in a PE Alderlea T5 simply based on style.

I'm so pleased with how my 27 has run since I installed it in 2010 that I don't think I'd even bother looking into any other manufacturer.

When we built our house we put in a Lennox Brentwood . I learned a lot burning that stove, and from this forum. One thing I learned was I wanted more stove!

I rebuilt entire hearth area and installed the Jotul F55. Couldn't be happier ! Great heater, great fire view, we love it. So far this winter burned 1% of propane Tank! It does a fantastic job in our 1500 sq ft loft home.

We are awaiting delivery of Princess #3.....so it goes without saying which brand we believe in and have seen perform beyond our expectations.

I love looking down at my shop...knowing the stove is jammin'/heating hard....and seeing absolutely no smoke rising from the chimney. My neighbor has an old smoke dragon and he actually had to go inside the building to view the stove after doubting me that I even had a fire going. Of course, he's 2000 ft away and there are days when I've called him to check if his house is on fire after he lights up the old Papa Bear.... ;-)

My wife is also a super happy camper. She comments frequently how much she loves the stove in the living room and thanks me for doing the research and picking out a winner. Hats off to BK. (we may need to buy stock @ this point in time)

Best of luck to all whatever stove you've chosen. Enjoy!

MtnBURN said:

We are awaiting delivery of Princess #3.....so it goes without saying which brand we believe in and have seen perform beyond our expectations.

I love looking down at my shop...knowing the stove is jammin'/heating hard....and seeing absolutely no smoke rising from the chimney. My neighbor has an old smoke dragon and he actually had to go inside the building to view the stove after doubting me that I even had a fire going. Of course, he's 2000 ft away and there are days when I've called him to check if his house is on fire after he lights up the old Papa Bear.... ;-)

My wife is also a super happy camper. She comments frequently how much she loves the stove in the living room and thanks me for doing the research and picking out a winner. Hats off to BK. (we may need to buy stock @ this point in time)

Best of luck to all whatever stove you've chosen. Enjoy!

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We always have 2 stoves. My wife has informed me that one of them will always be a Blaze King. She loves it, because she never ever has to mess with it while I'm at work.

webby3650 said:

We always have 2 stoves. My wife has informed me that one of them will always be a Blaze King. She loves it, because she never ever has to mess with it while I'm at work.

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I sure don't miss those middle-of-the-night reloads I had to do with the old Buck stove we inherited when we bought this place. That alone sold me on day one with the BK(s). My burn times are down this season because much of the cottonwood I have (that needs burned up this season) is dry like balsa wood. Sure makes for a hot fire though..LOL. (reminds me of the house-on-fire feel of the Buck)

We have no other heat here (and no monthly heating bills).....so a stove you can rely on/with long burn times is simply a must.

Had to laugh the other day. I was gonna chuck the old Buck stove when I took it out...but a neighbor down the way got wind of it and showed up with his skid steer and hauled it off....instantly slamming it into an old, brick fireplace located in the living room of his rental house. I met the renter last week and ask him how things were going. He said "OK....but I've been up most nights reloading that stove" All I could say was "Yup.....I know all about that game" and smile as I thought of the Princess. I didn't have the heart to tell him what kinda burns we get now and that I never have to tend the fire @ night anymore..... heehee....

live and learn....

tpenny67 said:

I'm at the start of a do-over right now. Recently bought a weekend getaway with an old, beat up Jotul 118 in it, and about to replace it with a new Quadra Fire 4300.

The Quad isn't so much my dream stove (not sure I have one), but it's clean enough to qualify for the highest rebate in the VT change out program and the hearth size requirements exactly match the dimensions of the stone pads already set into the wood flooring. And the dealer was really pushing it

Was also considering a new Jotul or a Lopi, but they didn't qualify for as high a rebate. I like the north-south loading of the Quad and it looks like it should have better control of the primary air than a Lopi. I didn't consider a catalytic stove because it will be running on high frequently to warm up the place, so I wouldn't be getting the long and low burn advantage of the catalyst, but I would have to worry about whether it would be fouled up by whatever scrap paper (or worse) I'm using to start the fire.

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Check out one of the Woodstock Hybrids.

MtnBURN said:

Hats off to BK. (we may need to buy stock @ this point in time)

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I would seriously consider buying stock in Blaze King also. But as far as I can tell, they appear to be privately held. Unless they are a subsidiary of a larger company.

Blaze King is owned by Decisive Dividend Corporation, a publicly traded company on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).

Symbol: DE

BKVP said:

Blaze King is owned by Decisive Dividend Corporation, a publicly traded company on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange).

Symbol: DE

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Thank-you!

1) BK Sirocco 30.1 freestanding

2) I wouldn't change a thing. Long burn times, temp control, very low emissions, looks good and well made. I recommend this stove to anyone looking to heat a house ~2200sqft.

The one thing I'd do different is install in the off season months when it's warm enough outside to open all the windows in your house for your your first burn. The off-gasing smell from the stove while curing the paints/solvent burning off is a terrible smell and needs plenty ventilation to rid the house of it. You'll thank me later.