First I would like to extend my greeting to you all from a recent new comer to this forum. I found this sight researching new wood stoves and poked around for a while before finally deciding the best way to get an answer is just to ask.
I'd like to replace my more than 20 year old Jotul 3TD with another more efficient, cast iron unit. Over that time, it has been reliable, low maintenance and easy to use but, it also has short burn time and a small fire box. Last winter was cold here in Maryland so I probably went through close to 2 cords, mixed hardwood. I also previously had a Vermont Castings when I lived in RI so I have been burning wood for well over the last 30 years.
The stove is located in a less than 300 sq ft room in the finished lower level of a two level raised ranch. The total lower level is @ 960 sq ft total and I have a floor register and fan to help move heat up. The upper level is a little more than 1000 sq ft total. The house is pretty well insulated and the heat from the 3TD warms the open upper living/dining area, which has a vaulted ceiling, enough that my electric heat pump does not run constantly. I would like to get something a little bigger, burns longer, is reliable, and that takes a larger than 18†length of wood. I am not looking for something that is very temperamental or maintenance intrusive if possible.
I was looking at the VC Dutchwest 2478 but I have some reservation about it. The rear exit, is 27 ¼†high and my horizontal through wall connection is only 26 ½†high to center. The dealer talked about cutting the legs an inch or so but; I’m not that hard over on this stove that I want to start my installation by cutting the legs. Plus, in spite of the good reviews this stove gets, I have read some not so great feedback on it. It seems that the stove is a little difficult to use, high maintenance and maybe less than reliable. I thought my old VC was fairly simple and reliable but I bought that over 30 years ago. Have the newer stoves changed that much?
I am also considering just going back to a Jotul, the F400 Castine. The size looks adequate and rear exit dimension, 25 ½â€, will work without any modifications. It seems to have very little negative feedback. My wife would prefer one with a side door which the F400 does not have. The F500 Oslo does but, I’m not sure if it would be too big for my installation.
I’m just looking for any thoughs, opinions and any pros or cons of the Jotul vs. Dutchwest from current/former users of each. I’m also open for any other suggested choices I should consider looking at.
Thanks!
I'd like to replace my more than 20 year old Jotul 3TD with another more efficient, cast iron unit. Over that time, it has been reliable, low maintenance and easy to use but, it also has short burn time and a small fire box. Last winter was cold here in Maryland so I probably went through close to 2 cords, mixed hardwood. I also previously had a Vermont Castings when I lived in RI so I have been burning wood for well over the last 30 years.
The stove is located in a less than 300 sq ft room in the finished lower level of a two level raised ranch. The total lower level is @ 960 sq ft total and I have a floor register and fan to help move heat up. The upper level is a little more than 1000 sq ft total. The house is pretty well insulated and the heat from the 3TD warms the open upper living/dining area, which has a vaulted ceiling, enough that my electric heat pump does not run constantly. I would like to get something a little bigger, burns longer, is reliable, and that takes a larger than 18†length of wood. I am not looking for something that is very temperamental or maintenance intrusive if possible.
I was looking at the VC Dutchwest 2478 but I have some reservation about it. The rear exit, is 27 ¼†high and my horizontal through wall connection is only 26 ½†high to center. The dealer talked about cutting the legs an inch or so but; I’m not that hard over on this stove that I want to start my installation by cutting the legs. Plus, in spite of the good reviews this stove gets, I have read some not so great feedback on it. It seems that the stove is a little difficult to use, high maintenance and maybe less than reliable. I thought my old VC was fairly simple and reliable but I bought that over 30 years ago. Have the newer stoves changed that much?
I am also considering just going back to a Jotul, the F400 Castine. The size looks adequate and rear exit dimension, 25 ½â€, will work without any modifications. It seems to have very little negative feedback. My wife would prefer one with a side door which the F400 does not have. The F500 Oslo does but, I’m not sure if it would be too big for my installation.
I’m just looking for any thoughs, opinions and any pros or cons of the Jotul vs. Dutchwest from current/former users of each. I’m also open for any other suggested choices I should consider looking at.
Thanks!