I will be getting a new wood stove and replacing our old, old pellet stove (1986 Pellefier) sometime this year. I have a few questions that I wanted to throw out there to see what information I could gather that might be helpful in my decision. This stove would ideally be our only source of heat, although we do have backup of course.
First of all you need to know that this stove will be going in an 1100 sq.ft. fully finished, well insulated, walk out basement. It will be located in a corner on an existing hearth. We have a centrally located stairwell that goes upstairs to another very well insulated 1100 sq.ft. I am thinking that heat will make its way up to next level fairly well.
My first question is this: what will best suit my needs, steel or cast? I am staying away from the soapstone option only because we occasionally like that instant high heat at times and I just don't want to wait 2-4 hrs. to feel heat coming from a freshly lit stove. I am worried that a steel stove might run us out of the basement (which is where we spend a good amount of time) as we try to heat the majority of the house up and down. Or, would this only be the case if it is a thinner steel, say 3/16 or less? (Read here, Englander 30) Should I just be looking at 1/4" steel or thicker? Or, should I just go with cast? This will still allow us to be within 6 feet or so of the stove and not get blistered from the heat, right? LOL In short, I guess, if I want to heat the majority of the house, what would you recommend?
Next question: Anybody in this similar situation as far as putting a stove in basement and approximately the same square footage? And if so, what stove do you have? Keep in mind my location... it can get cold here although this winter has been fairly mild in my location. Cold to me is something below zero. I see some people on here thinking that +20 is cold... not in my book.
Lastly, I have been doing a considerable amount of research on wood stoves and the following are my narrowed down choices. Help me decide with comments/suggestions. Possibilities: Blaze King Princess (can't go with King... ceiling in basement too short before going out wall), Kuma (either the Sequoia or Classic), Pacific Summit, a Harman (can't remember the model), Napolean, or a Quadrafire 5700. Oh, and I like the cost and reviews of the Englander, but afraid that I will get just what I pay for.
Thoughts? and thank you ahead of time!
First of all you need to know that this stove will be going in an 1100 sq.ft. fully finished, well insulated, walk out basement. It will be located in a corner on an existing hearth. We have a centrally located stairwell that goes upstairs to another very well insulated 1100 sq.ft. I am thinking that heat will make its way up to next level fairly well.
My first question is this: what will best suit my needs, steel or cast? I am staying away from the soapstone option only because we occasionally like that instant high heat at times and I just don't want to wait 2-4 hrs. to feel heat coming from a freshly lit stove. I am worried that a steel stove might run us out of the basement (which is where we spend a good amount of time) as we try to heat the majority of the house up and down. Or, would this only be the case if it is a thinner steel, say 3/16 or less? (Read here, Englander 30) Should I just be looking at 1/4" steel or thicker? Or, should I just go with cast? This will still allow us to be within 6 feet or so of the stove and not get blistered from the heat, right? LOL In short, I guess, if I want to heat the majority of the house, what would you recommend?
Next question: Anybody in this similar situation as far as putting a stove in basement and approximately the same square footage? And if so, what stove do you have? Keep in mind my location... it can get cold here although this winter has been fairly mild in my location. Cold to me is something below zero. I see some people on here thinking that +20 is cold... not in my book.
Lastly, I have been doing a considerable amount of research on wood stoves and the following are my narrowed down choices. Help me decide with comments/suggestions. Possibilities: Blaze King Princess (can't go with King... ceiling in basement too short before going out wall), Kuma (either the Sequoia or Classic), Pacific Summit, a Harman (can't remember the model), Napolean, or a Quadrafire 5700. Oh, and I like the cost and reviews of the Englander, but afraid that I will get just what I pay for.
Thoughts? and thank you ahead of time!