Drolet for my sq footage.... terrible house diagram included :P

[stovelark]

Not to disagree Fyre, but price is part of it. It makes sense that if you buy a quality stove it will certainly last better, and perform better. I also consider the longevity of getting parts, accessories etc. Being in the business of selling stoves, I have seen in person that some stoves just do not hold up as well as others. I maintain my suggestion that Big D buy the best stove he can. In my view, a PE or Enviro Kodiak offers the best value- performance/durability to dollars spent. None of it matters without good dry seasoned wood. Good luck..

 

[begreen]

A square firebox is a nice feature that affects daily loading and burning.

 

[Woody Stover]

My house is 1266 sq ft, not insulated very well at all but I have all new windows and NEW insulation in the attic.

Do you have some air leaking as well? A drafty house can be tightened up more easily than adding insulation (since you already got the attic.) If you are planning to tighten up the envelope at some point, I would factor that in. If you can grab a cheap used stove for the time being, sure you'll add another stove move to the equation later but it'll give you more time to consider your final purchase and maybe find a super deal on a new or used stove that fits your needs. It looks like your climate is moderate, similar to where I live. We may get a low in the single digits occasionally but they are few and far between. Years can pass without it getting that cold. I would size the stove so that you can let it run most of the time without cooking yourself out too bad. If you have to bump the thermostat occasionally for an exceptionally cold day, so be it.

 

[raybonz]

I would pass on the old soapstone as I do not think it is a clean burning stove. Like BG says look at the PE Super 27 or the T-5 for a bit more and the looks of cast iron. Convection heat makes a world of difference in comfort when you're in the same room as the stove and they also work well with a blower which you can add later.. Being cheap now can cost you down the road..

Ray

PS Great looking family Don

 

[Hogwildz]

The PE stoves do have a nice baffle design. Something to consider when it comes to sweeping each year. Easy out, easy in. Splits contacting or smacking it if packing full won't hurt the baffle either.

 

[raybonz]

The PE stoves do have a nice baffle design. Something to consider when it comes to sweeping each year. Easy out, easy in. Splits contacting or smacking it if packing full won't hurt the baffle either.

Hey Hogz how ya been? I really like the baffle on the T-5 too.. Pretty much bullet proof and makes a nice looking fire as well.. The efficiency of the PE stoves is among the best of the non-cats as well.. Less wood hauling is a good thing!

Ray

 

[Hogwildz]

Doing well Ray. Work has kept me busy along with the continuing saga of working on the addition.
Work slowed up the last couple weeks, so getting my second breath. But still sweating my ass off working on the unconditioned addition. Easy way to lose the extra pounds.
I have been burning the Summit since winter of 2006 and she has never let me down. The issues with the cracking was stressing, but PE stepped up, and there may be other new developments on the insert front also(good). One day I will also have the 30 hooked up and this place should be saunatized then.
The last two seasons I have honed my burning along with real nice seasoned wood to cut back from 3 loads a day to 2. I may do a smaller gap load between the two fills on the coldest of days, but I have cut my consumption down by about 1-1/2 cords so far. Which I will prolly burn in the 30 once I get it hooked up.
I am actually lurking and participating a lil more on here this summer as compared to others. Keeps me out of trouble at home, and in trouble in here ;-)