Jotul F55 Carrabasett

[Creekheat]

This is the wood stove we have fallen in love with. We would love to hear from others with experience with this stove or Jotul owners....

 

[webby3650]

I'm sure its been mentioned in your other threads. There are only a few F-55 owners on here. Jotul has a great reputation and a great product. I've had 5 different jotul stoves, they all performed well and are almost bullet proof. You will be pleased with a Jotul.

 

[begreen]

I just looked over these stoves closely. The fit and finish is excellent. It has a beefy door latch and hinges and a smooth air control. There is only a slight quirk in the rear firebrick which protrudes almost a brick-width into the rear width. Not sure why, but it's certainly not a show stopper.

 

[Creekheat]

Begreen,
We were really impressed with the stoves by Jotul. Its had great reviews. I dont know whats up with the rear firebrick thing either. I have heard a couple people mention it. Im a novice so im not hip to some of the inside trends but from what I gather it made it a hair difficult to load the rear of the stove with the last couple splits. Firebox looked really big though compared to some and the construction was excellent. I really liked the burn times and efficiency for a non-cat.
The price on the blower was crazy though...I mean $340 for a fan lol anyway, alot of good stoves out there. This one really suited out needs...

I still need to work on the hearth and of course start getting wood. Seems like their are alot of people on CL that have no idea what a "cord" or rick of wood is....i see some crazy prices....

 

[webby3650]

You can always add the blower later. I'd try it out first, its likely that you won't need it.

 

[begreen]

If I had to guess it would be that the protruding rear side bricks are because of secondary manifold air channels behind them. But that is just a guess.

 

[JonOfSunderland]

Nope. The secondary air channel goes up the center rear of the firebox

.

 

[Creekheat]

Nope. The secondary air channel goes up the center rear of the firebox

.View attachment 129391

Hmmm, seems like one less split or a smaller one back there and your good. Or load NS?

 

[begreen]

Definitely not a show stopper.

 

[smokedragon]

I read a post by a guy in SC (7acres) not long ago who wanted info on Jotuls, and he chose the F55.

Here is the thread

https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/torn-on-which-of-these-2-stoves-to-purchase.124534/

 

[Knots]

I own one. Unfortunately it is still in the wrapper in my brother's basement waiting for my house to be completed. Boy, did I pick the wrong winter to try and build a house.

Does anyone know anything about cleaning this stove? Does the manifold come out easily?

 

[jzinckgra]

Another happy F55 owner here.

 

[7acres]

Talked to my dealer today. My F55 arrives today sometime. Blower was apparently shipped separately and will arrive later. I'm going to buy my glass hearth plate and get that in place first. I don't want to lift that stove more than once if I can help it! I'm excited to see how our house looks with the new wood stove in place.

 

[Elle]

I was on the fence between the 55 and the Oslo...Went back to the dealer about five times. I think I ended up flipping a coin cause I couldn't go wrong with either, lol. Ended up with the Oslo and very happy with it so far.

 

[Creekheat]

I was on the fence between the 55 and the Oslo...Went back to the dealer about five times. I think I ended up flipping a coin cause I couldn't go wrong with either, lol. Ended up with the Oslo and very happy with it so far.

I was really surprised at how similar the stoves were. On paper we really liked an all steel stove, but once she saw the fit and finish and quality construction of the Jotuls, especially the 55, it was over.

 

[jeffesonm]

I am happy with my F55... stove works well, good size firebox and I can get overnight burns no problem. It seems to be very well made... nice finish, door latch mechanism is strong and secure, etc. Gasket still looks good but of course it's only been one season. Jotul has a good reputation for quality and this stove has lived up to that so far.

My previous stove was an Osburn Matrix, which I was also very happy with. Overall I would say they are of equal quality. The F55 probably puts out a bit more heat but I suspect that's as much because it's a freestanding stove vs a flush insert vs any difference in size or quality. I had a slightly better draft in the Matrix but again I don't attribute that stove designs, but rather their installation... Matrix had the stove pipe come straight out the top vs on the F55 it's a rear exit, short horizontal pipe and then a T and up. The biggest improvement in the switch is not hearing the Matrix blower run all the time.

As for the two firebricks at the back, I have not found that to be an issue. Occasionally I will go to the trouble of putting smaller pieces on the ends but most of the time I just angle full size pieces. It's a big firebox so you can fit plenty. I also load N/S most of the time, but sometimes also N/S on layer 1 and E/W on layer 2.

 

[7acres]

I am happy with my F55... stove works well, good size firebox and I can get overnight burns no problem. It seems to be very well made... nice finish, door latch mechanism is strong and secure, etc. Gasket still looks good but of course it's only been one season. Jotul has a good reputation for quality and this stove has lived up to that so far.

My previous stove was an Osburn Matrix, which I was also very happy with. Overall I would say they are of equal quality. The F55 probably puts out a bit more heat but I suspect that's as much because it's a freestanding stove vs a flush insert vs any difference in size or quality. I had a slightly better draft in the Matrix but again I don't attribute that stove designs, but rather their installation... Matrix had the stove pipe come straight out the top vs on the F55 it's a rear exit, short horizontal pipe and then a T and up. The biggest improvement in the switch is not hearing the Matrix blower run all the time.

As for the two firebricks at the back, I have not found that to be an issue. Occasionally I will go to the trouble of putting smaller pieces on the ends but most of the time I just angle full size pieces. It's a big firebox so you can fit plenty. I also load N/S most of the time, but sometimes also N/S on layer 1 and E/W on layer 2.

Did you get the blower with your F55? If so, is it just quieter than the one on your old Matrix? Also, out of curiousity how many sq/ft are you heating?

 

[jeffesonm]

No blower... the stove is freestanding so I don't think it would help all that much. The Matrix blower wasn't overwhelmingly loud, I just live out in the middle of nowhere so it's usually damn near silent. I didn't notice it all that much until I turned it off and thought 'oh, that's what silent sounds like'. I am also very particular.

I am heating a 1800 sq ft ranch with marginal/poor insulation. The stove does a good job keeping the place warm as outside temps drop into the 30's, but when it gets to the 20's and especially below, it can't keep up.

 

[Neil724]

I recently bought a Jotul F55 to replace a 29 year old Efel Kamina; what a difference! I am quite pleased with the F55 and the amount of heat it generates. Right now I'm having difficulty setting up for overnight burns. It seems to eat the wood up pretty rapidly, so I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Anybody have a procedure or recommendation to guide me in the right direction? Thanks.

 

[7acres]

I recently bought a Jotul F55 to replace a 29 year old Efel Kamina; what a difference! I am quite pleased with the F55 and the amount of heat it generates. Right now I'm having difficulty setting up for overnight burns. It seems to eat the wood up pretty rapidly, so I'm sure I'm doing something wrong. Anybody have a procedure or recommendation to guide me in the right direction? Thanks.

The key when you're already working with dry hardwood is to load the stove full of 6-9" rounds and/or large splits to reduce surface area. You'll have some very large hunks of coal still putting off good heat in the morning. A new load will catch immediately and you'll have a roaring fire again in minutes. The key to long even burns is to reduce surface area.

 

[Neil724]

The key when you're already working with dry hardwood is to load the stove full of 6-9" rounds and/or large splits to reduce surface area. You'll have some very large hunks of coal still putting off good heat in the morning. A new load will catch immediately and you'll have a roaring fire again in minutes. The key to long even burns is to reduce surface area.

Okay, thanks....where do you positionn the intake lever? Completely closed? Partially closed? Open?
I've been leaving it very slightly open.

 

[7acres]

I leave it at 30% open for overnight burns.

 

[wvstriper]

I have a new F50 which is basically the same with the top load and ash pan. I'm heating a little over 2000 sq/ft. It has been a great stove so far.