Best rear venting wood stove

[Alsulliv29]

I found a few older threads but wasn't sure if anything changed. I currently have an older second hand VC encore that is limping through its final season with us. I have enjoyed the heat it provides, but this stove has always been particularly finicky (my dad works with them much more and said this particular unit was always that way).

I have an 1800 SF home and the encore has done pretty well, though I could get one with a bit higher or lower output as my house has multiple zones and I also have propane heat. Unfortunately I can't adjust to top venting and my height it limited unless I tear apart the fireplace, removing its current bulky face that limits some of my clearances. I have about 28" of clearance height wise and 23" front to back.

Ideally I would like a stove that burns a bit longer without being babysat as we have only been able to max out this one at about 6 hours, I have also seen on here that VC tends to need more frequent maintenance than other stoves. I looked online and see Woodstock is an option but a bit big, it does otherwise look like it could fit the bill though. Other suggestions? I wish blaze king did rear venting but looks like that's not to be

 

[Max W]

Check out the Jotul f45 Greenville. Don’t know the height but it is rear or top venting and has a short leg option for fireplaces.

 

[begreen]

The F45 is no longer sold unless one can find old stock. It's been replaced by the F445 which is an entirely new design in a difference form factor. The Jotul F35 is still made.

Have you considered an insert instead of a freestanding stove?

 

[stovelark]

Since you now have a cast stove, if you want to stay with that style stove, Jotuls are probably your best bet. Short leg options gets the height down to about 26.5", they have reversible flue outlets (to go vertical or horizontal). For 1800 sq feet if its open for dissemination of heat, the Oslo would fit the bill... Stay warm,