Non-cat offgrid advice needed please :)

[chicago77]

TLDR: I am in need of a new stove. Id really like it to heat ~2k SqFt without a Cat that qualifies for the tax credit. Option 2 is finding a used stove.... I mostly narrowed this list down to a Jotul Oslo F500 V3 or a Vermont Castings Duantless (yes these both have cats lol). Are there any other options that I should consider?

Why I like the Dauntless: Top loading (biggest win), thermostatic air control (how well does this work?), ability to run with or without cat, price?
Why I like the Jotul: Seems to have good reviews, no damper to manage, 20year warranty on cat

What I dislike about current Englander 24-fc: Needs to be filled every 1-2 hours to maintain temp, too small to effectively heat house, air control, cat, replacing cat. Always too hot or too cold, etc, etc.

More info, I have 2 story 1800sqft home that is heated from the basement. Today I have an Englander 24-fc, the cat is dead and its honestly too small. I have to burn it really hot to heat the house. I would like something that burns hotter/warmer/more-efficently. Now, that being said, the house is mostly heated by passive solar heat and has staggered double 2x4 walls w/ 8" of isolation. As long as its sunny the house is 75+ in the New England winter. I just use the woodstove to keep the temperature constant through the night and during cloudy spells.

Id like to stay away from cats for a few reasons, I don't like have to deal with the damper/cat if I don't want to and if the cat dies, I don't want to pay to replace it.

Id like something that is simple to use, my biggest issue is when visitors try to load wood into my current stove without opening the damper and floods the house with smoke. No matter how much I ask, people always want to touch the stove.... I need it idiot proof. I also like the idea of something that regulates its self fairly well, because sometimes that idiot is also me. This is a second home, and although I grew up with a woodstove, I now will light it and have potential to forget to open/close damper leading to over firing. Also my current stove just really doesn't work well and needs constant attention.

 

[begreen]

The Dauntless is too small. Do you need a cast iron stove in this location? Is the basement insulated?

How well does the heat go upstairs or is it ok to have a hot basement to achieve 70º on the main floor?

 

[chicago77]

The Dauntless is too small. Do you need a cast iron stove in this location? Is the basement insulated?

How well does the heat go upstairs or is it ok to have a hot basement to achieve 70º on the main floor?

Good questions, it is an unfinished basement that is insulated on the outside with 4" foam up to the sill, there are some vents that go upstairs and we leave the basement door open when heat needs to go up quickly.

Secondly, there is a suspended slab over half the basement that acts as a heatsink for the upstairs. The sunlight heats this during the day and helps keep it a fairly constant temperature.

I believe the current stove is a 20,000 BTU stove. Which heated the house for the last 30 years, but I think my dad always ran it too hot ~500-600 degrees to keep the house warm. This just takes constant filling to maintain.

 

[Todd]

Check out Drolet. Probably the only non cats that qualify for the tax credit.

 

[begreen]

500-600º is the normal operating temperature for many stoves including ours. I would be looking at 2.5-3 cu ft stoves. There are a lot of choices. I'd choose the non-cat Jotul F55 over the F500 v3 if the cast iron look is important. The Pacific Energy T6 would also work. Both do not qualify for the tax credit.

I think the VC Encore or Defiant do qualify, but they have a bypass damper and operate best with the cat. If thermostatic operation appeals then the Blaze KIng Ashford 30 should definitely be considered. It's a cat stove but well made and good looking in a cast iron jacket. There is also the hybrid Hearthstone Manchester in castiron. They qualify for the credit.

 

[chicago77]

Current stove burns at 350-450 with Cat engaged and will run longer burns 3-4 hours. Other wise it needs to be filled constantly. Without damper/cat engaged it spikes way too hot. This may be due to the bad cat, but there is now way for it to maintain and even 500-600.

Without the tax credit, I would probably look for something used. Preferable with a returner of some type to keep efficiency.

I have no preference on looks, this is in the basement and functionality is its only purpose.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

Perhaps consider the Drolet HT-3000 non cat. 110,000 Btu's & 3.5 cu.ft fire box.

High Efficiency Wood Stove | HT-3000

HT-3000 wood stove - EPA certified at 1.32 g/h - 110 000 BTU/h - Heats up to 2,700 ft² - 22" logs - Model on pedestal - Made in Canada Can.

www.drolet.ca

 

[begreen]

I have no preference on looks, this is in the basement and functionality is its only purpose.

The best value will be a 2.4 cu ft Drolet Escape 1800 or 3.5 cu ft HT-3000. SBI is currently still handing out IRS certificates for them. These stoves will typically be running about 500º stovetop temp with an 8-12+ hr burn time on a full load.

 

[chicago77]

The best value will be a 2.4 cu ft Drolet Escape 1800 or 3.5 cu ft HT-3000. SBI is currently still handing out IRS certificates for them. These stoves will typically be running about 500º stovetop temp with an 8-12+ hr burn time on a full load.

Thank you, I will add this to the research list

 

[Highbeam]

So 1800’sf of super insulated home. Seems like this is a situation where getting a noncat big enough to heat overnight could be too big for the space. If you insist on the noncat and price matters then I too would recommend you consider the drolet line. Might as well get the big one. Will be easier for these strangers to operate.

 

[30WCF]

Sounds like the temp gauge may be off. How are you checking temps?

 

[chicago77]

Sounds like the temp gauge may be off. How are you checking temps?

I have relatively new stovetop temp sensors on the top of the stove and the flue pipe 18” above the stove.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

Id like something that is simple to use, my biggest issue is when visitors try to load wood into my current stove without opening the damper and floods the house with smoke. No matter how much I ask, people always want to touch the stove.... I need it idiot proof. I also like the idea of something that regulates its self fairly well, because sometimes that idiot is also me. This is a second home, and although I grew up with a woodstove, I now will light it and have potential to forget to open/close damper leading to over firing. Also my current stove just really doesn't work well and needs constant attention.

If you are really looking for something SIMPLE and IDIOT PROOF look no further than the Pacific Energy Summit, easiest stove out there to operate and maintain. Non-cat, one piece multi port air injection baffle, one only air control, easiest stove to maintain and clean, last for nearly ever.

Summit LE - Pacific Energy

www.pacificenergy.net

 

[EbS-P]

Since you disregarded the not cat requirement just get a blaze king. Far superior to the F500 or the VC

 

[SteveKG]

TLDR:

Id like something that is simple to use, my biggest issue is when visitors try to load wood into my current stove without opening the damper and floods the house with smoke.

You need to set down the stove rules with visitors. Tell them if they can't follow those instructions they will have to leave. I mean, really??

Even simpler idea: tell them to keep their hands off the stove, period. This can be done nicely. If they cannot stand it, you have to become firmer. They are messing with an extremely hot fire inside your home. I mean, really??

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

Id like something that is simple to use, my biggest issue is when visitors try to load wood into my current stove without opening the damper and floods the house with smoke. No matter how much I ask, people always want to touch the stove.... I need it idiot proof.

Yeah I don't ask people to leave my stove alone. I tell them. If you want to play with fire go out to the bonfire pit I have a pile of uglies over there.

 

[Trevor Tahclep]

I am in need of a new stove. Id really like it to heat ~2k SqFt without a Cat

Since you disregarded the not cat requirement just get a blaze king. Far superior to the F500 or the VC

I believe he is looking for a non-catalytic stove !

 

[begreen]

But then...

I mostly narrowed this list down to a Jotul Oslo F500 V3 or a Vermont Castings Duantless (yes these both have cats lol).

 

[stovelark]

If you have folks who mess with your stove- remember you are inviting fire into your house, it needs to be treated correctly to maintain safety. If easy operation, easy drafting stoves is the desire, like many have said PE or Drolet (I would prefer PE too). Stay warm, and safe.