Is a Baby Bear right for my garage?

[Lampwick]

Hey everybody,

First, thanks in advance. Forums like these are a godsend, especially for newbs like me--I know next to nothing about wood stoves, never owned one or installed one, tho I have spend time using one or two and I have an open hearth fireplace in my house, which I use regularly.

I'm considering a Baby Bear for my detached garage: 340 square foot, slab floor, block walls, 7.5' ceilings but with a small vaulted section, and not a wisp of insulation anywhere. I use it as a shop space currently. Would a Baby Bear be too much for this space?

Here's the one I'm looking to buy:

I see that it's recommended for 900-1250 square foot space (according to specs posted by Coaly (thank you)) but I'm not sure how to factor in the lack of insulation or the vaulted ceiling. (I intend to insulate at least the ceiling at some point, but probably not for at least another season.) Would I roast myself out? Would I have to constantly tend smaller fires? Any guidance is much appreciated.

And two more questions:
~is $550 a good price for this fella? Apparently got new firebrick, and comes with some amount of pipe, plus a "half a pickup's worth" or firewood.
~Any recommendations for loading it into my truck if I'm working by myself?

Thanks again.

 

[kborndale]

Technically it is illegal to put a stove in your garage in the USA. Not saying don't do it, just realize that if something were to go terribly wrong your insurance company would not be paying.

 

[coaly]

You won’t roast yourself out with no insulation and a higher ceiling than 8 feet.

1000 square feet was an average heating requirement for Seattle Washington back when R-11 was common in 2x4 walls with an 8 foot ceiling.

Prices are what they are. Days of finding them for 100 or 2 are limited. The rest of the stuff with it makes it a ok deal.

If you can remove brick easily, also remove doors to lighten it up. Using a couple 2x6 boards for a ramp, lay it on its side and “walk” it up the ramp by yourself. Otherwise keep it on wheels such as a hand truck or furniture dolly on flat surfaces. Stairs are the same as loading and off loading with ramp.

You can also use a 2x6 ramp board inserted into the vent pipe as a lever to move it around, or tilt up onto a furniture dolly easily. Lever and wheels!

 

[Lampwick]

Technically it is illegal to put a stove in your garage in the USA. Not saying don't do it, just realize that if something were to go terribly wrong your insurance company would not be paying.

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize that. I'm seeing that it's typically banned outright in areas where vehicles or gasoline may be stored, and for shop spaces it's often banned but sometimes allowed if certain requirements are met, such as having it 18" off the floor and having some kind of permanent obstacle installed around it, to keep it from being knocked into. Does that jibe with your understanding?

 

[Lampwick]

You won’t roast yourself out with no insulation and a higher ceiling than 8 feet.

1000 square feet was an average heating requirement for Seattle Washington back when R-11 was common in 2x4 walls with an 8 foot ceiling.

Prices are what they are. Days of finding them for 100 or 2 are limited. The rest of the stuff with it makes it a ok deal.

If you can remove brick easily, also remove doors to lighten it up. Using a couple 2x6 boards for a ramp, lay it on its side and “walk” it up the ramp by yourself. Otherwise keep it on wheels such as a hand truck or furniture dolly on flat surfaces. Stairs are the same as loading and off loading with ramp.

You can also use a 2x6 ramp board inserted into the vent pipe as a lever to move it around, or tilt up onto a furniture dolly easily. Lever and wheels!

Good intel, thank you!

 

[stoveliker]

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize that. I'm seeing that it's typically banned outright in areas where vehicles or gasoline may be stored, and for shop spaces it's often banned but sometimes allowed if certain requirements are met, such as having it 18" off the floor and having some kind of permanent obstacle installed around it, to keep it from being knocked into. Does that jibe with your understanding?

Some places allow it even if it goes against fire code. In Canada it's okay if 18" up (because gasoline vapors stay low).

If you don't store gasoline in it and consistently call it a shop (or even wood working shop), I'd do it.

 

[coaly]

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't realize that. I'm seeing that it's typically banned outright in areas where vehicles or gasoline may be stored, and for shop spaces it's often banned but sometimes allowed if certain requirements are met, such as having it 18" off the floor and having some kind of permanent obstacle installed around it, to keep it from being knocked into. Does that jibe with your understanding?

The bottom of firebox elevated 18 inches from floor and protective bollards are Canadian restrictions where garage installation is not prohibited.

US uses NFPA-211 as the national Standard;

2.2.3 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be installed in any location where gasoline or any other flammable vapors or gases are present.

12.2.4 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be installed in
any garage.

Many still do, assuming all liability. It is not recommended to install a solid fuel burning appliance in a attached garage affecting the insurance of the insured structure.