Englander 13 update/Review

[Ramcononer]

Happy holidays to all! I wanted to thank everyone for their help and input getting me through my install. I wanted to update the status of the stove for anyone considering the Englander NC-13.

This stove is installed INSIDE my fireplace opening. I DO NOT have a blower attached. My goal was to heat around 1000 sq ft on the first floor of my home. If it got upstairs to the other parts of the house, I would consider that a bonus. I use the blower which is made for the unit to blow air out of the fireplace and it is working great. I did two break in fires outside. I didn't notice any paint smell once inside the house and attached to a SS liner around 15' in total length.

Well, the outside temps were in the low 30's F and this thing is doing its job. I had an IR thermo and had it right around 375f and it was doing a decent job heating the described area. This was a small load of wood. Fortunately outside temps have been in the high 40's - mid 50's f so a full packed box is NOT needed. I can imagine what kind of heat I would get with a full fire box and temps around 500 or so. On a medium sized load I can get around 4-5 hours of burn with coals left to start fresh...I bet once I get this unit figured out good and have VERY seasoned wood, I can get 6-7 hours between reloads. Last night I had a great secondary show for about an hour....this is really fun to watch...no flames coming off the wood but a fire show at the top of the unit.....

Overall, I would Recommend this stove to a friend

Pro's:

Cost - Didn't have to drop close to $1000 for a stove and blower. Blains farm and fleet has the summer heat model for a steal.

Build Quality - This thing is HEAVY. Looks a lot more sturdy than some inexpensive stoves we saw at HD and Lowes.

Appearance - For the cost, this thing is good looking. Just last night my wife said she is surprised at how nice it looks. It not my first choice in terms of looks, but it is still good looking and you would be proud to have it on your hearth.

Englander Customer Service - Stove was delivered with a cracked firebrick, Englander had one to me the very next day NO CHARGE. The guy on the phone was super helpful and answered all my other questions regarding install, clearances etc etc. Solid in my book. Just this alone would move me to purchase more Englander items.

Fire performance - this might be subjective to conditions/home layout but it has done all we have asked of it and more. I am almost excited for a day in the teens to see what she can really do.

Cons:
Not really a True CON but Firebox Size - It's not the NC30. I would have purchased the NC30 but couldn't fit it in my fireplace. I can see where the bigger firebox would be helpful. This fire box isn't Tiny it's just not Big either. I would like to get 8 hours between full loads but I don't see that being likely. I will try N/S loading once I get around to cutting the 18" Splits and see what that might do...

Blower - Its a little loud but kinda phases out as I get used to the noise. It might only be loud since I don't actually have it hooked up to the unit

Ashpan - Seems a little small, havent really used it. Seems easier to just scoop the ashed into an ash bucket.

Gold Top Trim - Got all tarnished/crap looking because they ship it with a protective covering and some people get too excited that their new stove is in their backyard and fire the thing up without removing the protective tape and it kinda bakes onto the brass style trim on the stove top...Not really a con from Englander...Just me being like a Kid on Christmas...So my fault...

Overall AWESOME UNIT....Can't wait to learn her!!

 

[dafattkidd]

Congratulations on your new stove. May it be a real blessing to you and your family. Where are you on LI? I'm also curious why you're using the blower the way that you have it. Have you found that to be effective for your set up? Should be fun burning wood this Christmas.

 

[Ramcononer]

Congratulations on your new stove. May it be a real blessing to you and your family. Where are you on LI? I'm also curious why you're using the blower the way that you have it. Have you found that to be effective for your set up? Should be fun burning wood this Christmas.

If Temps stay the Same, I will be opening windows this year with all the cooking and family over. I am in the Port Jefferson Area. I have the blower that way because I cannot fit it on the unit and maintain the proper clearance to the floor, I'd have to pull the unit out more and use a 45 adapter for the flue.

 

[FireAnt]

Glad to hear! You will get those burn times you are looking for with practice. I have gotten 8 out with ideal conditions and wood placement. I burn both N/S and E/W. The box will load 10" N/S. Just cut your 18's in half and enjoy! I think I like N/S better. I can get 7-9 pieces in N/S and tuck some little ones in on the side.

Little side story. Three nights ago I loaded the stove at 3 in the afternoon. I wanted to load at 10 before bed. I fell asleep and didn't want to reload the stove. I got up at 6:00 (15 hrs later) the next morning, raked the coals and put a full load in and had it cranking right away.

30 wouldn't fit in my fireplace either, but I love my 13!

 

[Ramcononer]

Glad to hear! You will get those burn times you are looking for with practice. I have gotten 8 out with ideal conditions and wood placement. I burn both N/S and E/W. The box will load 10" N/S. Just cut your 18's in half and enjoy! I think I like N/S better. I can get 7-9 pieces in N/S and tuck some little ones in on the side.

Little side story. Three nights ago I loaded the stove at 3 in the afternoon. I wanted to load at 10 before bed. I fell asleep and didn't want to reload the stove. I got up at 6:00 (15 hrs later) the next morning, raked the coals and put a full load in and had it cranking right away.

30 wouldn't fit in my fireplace either, but I love my 13!

Thats impressive......I have still not had a full load, but I hope to do it soon...Maybe Xmas...I like getting a nice hot bed of coals, then loading her up and keeping the air wide open for about 10 minutes then shutting her down and letting her do her thing for the next few hours. I constantly check the thermostat in the den to see where it's heading

 

[Pallet Pete]

That looks really nice and its just in time for Christmas! Enjoy your new stove and have fun with it.

Pete

 

[dafattkidd]

That makes sense. You gotta do what works for your set up. Well that's great that you're having such success with your new stove. NS loading in a smaller firebox is great. I used to have a 1.7 cf insert. I got best burn times by raking coals forward, placing a large split I the very back EW, a smaller split on the coals EW then pack the stove full NS. However on colder days when I was home I got more steady heat from frequent medium sized fires. Hope that helps. Merry Christmas.

 

[Ramcononer]

That makes sense. You gotta do what works for your set up. Well that's great that you're having such success with your new stove. NS loading in a smaller firebox is great. I used to have a 1.7 cf insert. I got best burn times by raking coals forward, placing a large split I the very back, a smaller split on the coals EW then pack the stove full NS. However on colder days when I was home I got more steady heat from frequent medium sized fires. Hope that helps. Merry Christmas.

WHen I am home I try to keep smaller hotter fires, trying to hit the 600f mark...Englander says 600f no problem...Haven't hit 500 yet...

 

[trailrated]

I'm on my 3rd season with my Englander 13. This stoves LOVES N/S loads. The con to that is more cutting because you your cutting shorter lengths. I find 600 degree stove top temps are about max for the stove (At least with my operating techniques). I have single wall pipe until it enters the attic then its SS insulated from there on out. When the stove hits 500-600 degrees, my single wall pipe is hovering around 450 -500 (outside surface reading) which is basically maxing that out, probably a bit to hot.

I can get 8-10 hour burns but only on a PACKED load and the air shut all the way down. With that being said, its not putting enough heat to make huge difference but at least I don't have to do a cold restart. I generally reload every 3 to 4 hours during the day about 3 splits just to keep a nice hot fire going. The wood I have been burning is seasoned at a year or a year and half. So your results may vary depending on wood. I have seen the top glow cherry red around the collar when I let it run away a bit to long. Temps weren't much over 600 so be careful. I use a stove top thermometer on the front edge and one on the pipe 18 inches up. Not sure how accurate they are but thats what I've been going by. Hope this helps, and keep us posted on your results.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Not sure if the 30 is that much different but i regularly get 600-650 stovetop and sometimes 700-750 on colder days when the draft is stronger. That when i get the serious heat from the stove.
Im interested in getting a 13 for a small apartment i own and am in the process of rehabbing. With space limitations and low heat requirements i think the 30 would be too big.

 

[trailrated]

Not sure if the 30 is that much different but i regularly get 600-650 stovetop and sometimes 700-750 on colder days when the draft is stronger. That when i get the serious heat from the stove.
Im interested in getting a 13 for a small apartment i own and am in the process of rehabbing. With space limitations and low heat requirements i think the 30 would be too big.

I think the 13 will be just fine in the apartment.

 

[FireAnt]

Not sure if the 30 is that much different but i regularly get 600-650 stovetop and sometimes 700-750 on colder days when the draft is stronger. That when i get the serious heat from the stove.
Im interested in getting a 13 for a small apartment i own and am in the process of rehabbing. With space limitations and low heat requirements i think the 30 would be too big.

I am the same with my 13. I coal up to 650- 700 shut the air down and it cruises between 550-600 (650 on colder days) It gets down off 700 in 5 minutes. 7-8 hour burns.

 

[artmos]

looks lika a great installation. i will definitely consider the englander. want to supplement the "monster"-yukon husky for the upstairs of the cabin.
btw- am a newbie and don't have the local lingo down yet. what are n/s and e/w? art

 

[trailrated]

btw- am a newbie and don't have the local lingo down yet. what are n/s and e/w? art

N/S is north and south loading. Placing your wood in a north to south position. E/W is east and west. Just consider north straight ahead as you face your stove, not "true north"