I've been burning wood for 4 seasons now (24/7) in on older pre EPA stove. As I mentioned in other threads, I will be replacing it with either the Quad S4300 or the 5700. What happens if I select the 5700 and it turns out to be too much stove? Is it possible to run the newer stoves with smaller loads or reduced air and still keep the flue stack at a decent temp(say at least 300degrees)? I know how to run my old stove but am not sure how the new stoves run other than what I have read on your posts. Some of the guys have already weighed in with their suggestions because I did have a similar post earlier. However, I am happy for more suggestions, reasoning and help.
I have a 30 year old Ranch style home of 1,500 sq. ft. I live in southwest lower Michigan. It is insulated well for its age. I heat entirely with wood. Back up furnace is a forced air heat pump (water to air, not air to air). The stove will be installed in my lower walkout basement (1000 sq. ft.) within 4-5 feet of the forced air furnace in the exact spot where my current stove is. I have a large (2’X2’ cold air return that I open and circulate the heat from the stove and basement area to the back bedrooms on the main level as needed during the day. The house also has an open stair well from the basement for natural heat exchange.
I am changing over to a new stove to use less wood and have better emissions and a cleaner chimney. My current stove is a 1980’s era Vestal double door step top with cast iron doors and spin air controls (similar to old Timberlines). Only info I could get on the Vestal was that it was their largest stove and could heat 2200 sq. ft. I use good, dry, split hardwood I harvest myself. I typically use about 4.25-4.5 cords per heating season. It’s a possibility that the current stove may be too large (even though it must be inefficient). I’m not sure on that point though. I generally have to run the stove where it is 75-77degrees on the main level (where we spend our time). Of course in the basement it runs 80-85 degrees but we don’t go down there except to tend the stove. I have never experienced cold weather (even -15 or -20) that the current stove couldn’t handle.
I have focused on the Quad brand because of reputation, non-catalytic, up front draft/air controls (not out the side or rear), step top models, and N/S wood loading.
The Step top 4300 has a 2.44 CF box,delivers 70,000 btu max, heats 1,800-2,800sf.
The 5700 has a 3.44CF box, delivers 80,000+btu max and advertised to heat 2000-3500sf.
Perhaps I am trying to fine tune to the exact right size of stove too much?? But it is a large investment that will last 20 yrs. Too large of a stove and I will have to choke it, too small and it will have to run more wide open with short burn times. Who knows anymore?? Ron
I have a 30 year old Ranch style home of 1,500 sq. ft. I live in southwest lower Michigan. It is insulated well for its age. I heat entirely with wood. Back up furnace is a forced air heat pump (water to air, not air to air). The stove will be installed in my lower walkout basement (1000 sq. ft.) within 4-5 feet of the forced air furnace in the exact spot where my current stove is. I have a large (2’X2’ cold air return that I open and circulate the heat from the stove and basement area to the back bedrooms on the main level as needed during the day. The house also has an open stair well from the basement for natural heat exchange.
I am changing over to a new stove to use less wood and have better emissions and a cleaner chimney. My current stove is a 1980’s era Vestal double door step top with cast iron doors and spin air controls (similar to old Timberlines). Only info I could get on the Vestal was that it was their largest stove and could heat 2200 sq. ft. I use good, dry, split hardwood I harvest myself. I typically use about 4.25-4.5 cords per heating season. It’s a possibility that the current stove may be too large (even though it must be inefficient). I’m not sure on that point though. I generally have to run the stove where it is 75-77degrees on the main level (where we spend our time). Of course in the basement it runs 80-85 degrees but we don’t go down there except to tend the stove. I have never experienced cold weather (even -15 or -20) that the current stove couldn’t handle.
I have focused on the Quad brand because of reputation, non-catalytic, up front draft/air controls (not out the side or rear), step top models, and N/S wood loading.
The Step top 4300 has a 2.44 CF box,delivers 70,000 btu max, heats 1,800-2,800sf.
The 5700 has a 3.44CF box, delivers 80,000+btu max and advertised to heat 2000-3500sf.
Perhaps I am trying to fine tune to the exact right size of stove too much?? But it is a large investment that will last 20 yrs. Too large of a stove and I will have to choke it, too small and it will have to run more wide open with short burn times. Who knows anymore?? Ron
