Thought I had settled on the Oslo because it takes a larger piece of wood, has side loading and seems to get very good reviews. Also looking for an overnight burn with morning coals to light quicky as we are out of the house working during the day. We are homebodies on the weekend. My dealer is discouraging me saying the Oslo will drive us out of the house. The floor we want to heat is the upper level of a raised ranch 1,400 sq. ft.. Most of the house is open floor plan, kitchen, dining and living room all open. We have a hall that leads to 3 bedrooms and bath. In the downstairs of the house, we have a guest bedroom, another bath, and a large TV room. We don't use that space very often and if we do, there is electric baseboard and we have begun using an infrared heater that does nicely for 2-3 hours tv watching in the evening and then we shut it off. We tend to stay upstairs, and do not do much tv watching- preferring music and reading upstairs.
We had a Fisher mamma bear for 33 years and it never drove us out, but we could dampen it down.I was planning on making just small fires in weather mild. We live in western mass, hilly and usually windy in the winter. Windows on house are 38 years old - not great but just OK. Do you all think the Oslo will drive us out - dealer thought the Castine would be better, but I now don't like the idea of the big glass door - my husband a bit rough with things I I can see him slamming the door to smash the wood in further (something done with the Fisher) and there goes the glass. The side load will keep ash on the hearth and not on the hearth extension pad in front. f We have a new hearth now (long story) picture attached. Have read here always go bigger, but hoping if you know the size of the space, you might better advise. My husband afraid of the small chamber in the Castine and likes the idea of the wood going in North/South Link Removed ed
We had a Fisher mamma bear for 33 years and it never drove us out, but we could dampen it down.I was planning on making just small fires in weather mild. We live in western mass, hilly and usually windy in the winter. Windows on house are 38 years old - not great but just OK. Do you all think the Oslo will drive us out - dealer thought the Castine would be better, but I now don't like the idea of the big glass door - my husband a bit rough with things I I can see him slamming the door to smash the wood in further (something done with the Fisher) and there goes the glass. The side load will keep ash on the hearth and not on the hearth extension pad in front. f We have a new hearth now (long story) picture attached. Have read here always go bigger, but hoping if you know the size of the space, you might better advise. My husband afraid of the small chamber in the Castine and likes the idea of the wood going in North/South Link Removed ed