I've had my Jotul now for about a year and overall I'm quite pleased. When I went looking by myself, the local stove guy had me convinced that the Blazeking was the way to go. I may have misunderstood him but I think he said that the Blazeking were originally manufactured locally or maybe in the region--central Washington. When I took my wife down to seal the deal, she swayed me to purchase the Jotul Oslo. They were down to their last floor model and it was on sale for 2-300 off and it was considerably cheaper. Her main reason; however, was that she really liked the appearance of the Oslo and she really disliked the Blazeking.
When I bought it, I was just buying it for "emergency" purposes. Now fast forward a year and so far this year it has become my main heat source. Twice during the really cold stretch in DEC our gas stove was inoperable and for about a week it was our sole sourse of heat. So I was really glad I had the stove. Initially my wife was on board as well and when I came home from work she had the fire blazing (obviously when the furnace wasn't working), but lately she's gotten lazy and it's not too uncommon for me to now come home and hear the furnace running as I walk through the garage. In any case our heating bills so far are NOV $12.00, DEC $19.00 which is kind of funny because by mistake I got our neighbors gas bill and I didn't realize it until I was in a state of shock and disbelief at seeing the $255.00 bill before I figured out it was the neighbors bill. Again as the wife has gotten lazy our JAN bill was $65.00. If I had to do it over again, I think I would go with the Blazeking, but in the end I still don't think my wife would allow it?
The negatives of the Oslo as have been stated here too many to count: 1) the ash will spill out if you open the front door, 2) the sticky air control lever. So overall not much to not like. It may be nothing more than buyers remorse but I'm intrigued by the amazingly long efficient burn times with less wood etc with the Blazeking.
We live in a 2 story somewhat open house of around 3600 ft. With several ceiling fans running we can pretty much keep the house comfortable except for our rec room at the end of the house above the garage. I must say the seasoned apple wood (living in the heart of Washington apple country) really cranks out the BTU's!! How much benefit would a fan/blower give me with the Oslo. When I bought the stove the local stove rep (who tried to get me to buy the Blazeking) said that with the "radiant" heat of the Oslo a blower/fan wasn't needed. Does anyone have any experince with a fan and the Oslo?
Jotul Oslo 500
Stihl 056
Apple wood, Tamarack, Red Fir (Douglas Fir on the West side), Lodge pole, some Pear and Cherry
When I bought it, I was just buying it for "emergency" purposes. Now fast forward a year and so far this year it has become my main heat source. Twice during the really cold stretch in DEC our gas stove was inoperable and for about a week it was our sole sourse of heat. So I was really glad I had the stove. Initially my wife was on board as well and when I came home from work she had the fire blazing (obviously when the furnace wasn't working), but lately she's gotten lazy and it's not too uncommon for me to now come home and hear the furnace running as I walk through the garage. In any case our heating bills so far are NOV $12.00, DEC $19.00 which is kind of funny because by mistake I got our neighbors gas bill and I didn't realize it until I was in a state of shock and disbelief at seeing the $255.00 bill before I figured out it was the neighbors bill. Again as the wife has gotten lazy our JAN bill was $65.00. If I had to do it over again, I think I would go with the Blazeking, but in the end I still don't think my wife would allow it?
The negatives of the Oslo as have been stated here too many to count: 1) the ash will spill out if you open the front door, 2) the sticky air control lever. So overall not much to not like. It may be nothing more than buyers remorse but I'm intrigued by the amazingly long efficient burn times with less wood etc with the Blazeking.
We live in a 2 story somewhat open house of around 3600 ft. With several ceiling fans running we can pretty much keep the house comfortable except for our rec room at the end of the house above the garage. I must say the seasoned apple wood (living in the heart of Washington apple country) really cranks out the BTU's!! How much benefit would a fan/blower give me with the Oslo. When I bought the stove the local stove rep (who tried to get me to buy the Blazeking) said that with the "radiant" heat of the Oslo a blower/fan wasn't needed. Does anyone have any experince with a fan and the Oslo?
Jotul Oslo 500
Stihl 056
Apple wood, Tamarack, Red Fir (Douglas Fir on the West side), Lodge pole, some Pear and Cherry