Looking for a new woodstove

[manofstihl]

We have had Vermont Castings Dauntless for three seasons now, and it's not the stove for us. We're looking to replace it and would like some advice. Our house is 1050 square feet. The stove is located on the first floor in the living room. The floorplan is not open, so the Dauntless could sometimes overheat that room. The woodstove is not our primary source of heat, but we like to have a fire on cold nights during the winter and to have a backup option for heating.

Here is what is important (most to least) to us:

- Simple to operate (probably without a catalyst)
- Easy to clean (or glass that doesn't require cleaning often)
- Easy to maintain
- Decent customer support
- Has a place for setting a skillet

Here is what is not as important to us:

- Burning highly efficiently
- Burning overnight

I think we could step down to something around the size of a Jøtul 602. I understand the technology has changed as the stove has gone from V2 to V3 lately, so I'm not sure if that is a good option for us or not. I only mention it because my friend has a F35 and absolutely loves it. I've read some good feedback on Pacific Energy and Hearthstone as well. All three brands are available at dealers somewhat near us.

Any feedback as to a stove that meets our criteria is appreciated.

 

[begreen]

Check the Pacific Energy Alderlea T5 out and the Jotul F35.

 

[Todd]

The 602 may be a bit on the small side but it wouldn’t roast you out of the room like the Dauntless. I would be looking for something with about a 1.5 cu ft Firebox. The Jotul F35 sounds like a good fit. Maybe even look at the Woodstock Keystone or Palladian, they are smaller soapstone stove that can be turned down low and burn consistent 12 hour burns.

 

[Turbo89]

I have a jotul 602C heating about the same sq-ft in my cabin. Mine is pre-EPA, and is a great stove. It’s secondary heat and when it’s on, my oil burner does kick in.

It can blast you out of a room if you stuff the firebox and leave it cranked, but it’s generally very well controlled.

Some caveats are that mine doesn’t he’s a door window, which I would like (available in newer versions), and that the new EPA version can’t be turned all the way down without modification (YouTube and a hand file can fix that).

The 602 is a breeze compared to my VC encore (I like you struggled when converting to the VC CAT stove).

 

[manofstihl]

Thanks, all. I will do some research.