New Hearthstone Heritage

[polkadottie55]

I ordered a new wood stove today. My room I would like to heat is 650 sq ft, but my vaulted ceiling is 18 feet high. (a simple 12 X 9 rise on each side of my post and beam). The smaller Castleton seemed way too small for me. Do you think I will have trouble with this stove? The reason I am replacing my old stove is that wood is getting more difficult to get. I have been heating with wood for 50 years
I just want to make sure I didn't buy a stove that is too big.

 

[wetwood4life]

If your old stove was cast iron, either Hearthstone would probably feel warmer because the stones radiate heat longer, but heat the air slower (which goes up to your vault anyway).

I figure both stoves put out about the same heat for the same amount of wood, the Heritage can just hold more wood. I think the Heritage firebox holds longer wood though (22" vs 18"?), so if all your wood is standard 16" you probably can't fit much extra wood anyway.

I heard a rumor the Heritage was designed for catalysts, while the Castleton was updated to include them. The Heritage might have fewer design quirks because of that. For example, my Castleton has its roof sloping down so the cats fit, which prevents me loading North/South, despite advertising an almost square firebox.

Heritage is a fine choice, just run half loads if it's too hot. My only concern would be the 8" flue requirements, if I remember correctly.

Enjoy the new stove!

 

[polkadottie55]

More questions: I currently have about 5 cords of wood stored. Much of it is very wet and needs time to season. Some ofthe wood I have is 8 or 9 inches. Do I need to chop that into smaller pieces? Can I load one large piece in the bottom that will burn as the top down fire burns? I have read the manual and understand about the three small burns to start off. Do I need to have a small burn each fire for a while? We have had a very mild winter and I have not yet had an overnight fire.