rcc
Member
I have a 1992 Cape which is not all that tight insulation wise (workin' on it) but I still put in an OAK over the summer (after having run the stove without one last winter).
I'm glad I did.
I no longer fight with removing excess crud on the bottom of the burn pot and the house is less drafty (same pellets burned as last year). Definitely an upgrade maintenance wise. I realize the Santa Fe (and the Castile) are "leaky" but I removed the bottom ash drawer for a few seconds while the stove was running and put my hand past the burn pot and felt a strong breeze coming in from the outside through the OAK (even with the ash drawer out!). Maybe it's because the OAK has a run of only about 20 inches .. I don't know about what is good for you but I feel it was the way to go in my situation.
Best of luck getting the heat you need out of the Castile.
I'm glad I did.
I no longer fight with removing excess crud on the bottom of the burn pot and the house is less drafty (same pellets burned as last year). Definitely an upgrade maintenance wise. I realize the Santa Fe (and the Castile) are "leaky" but I removed the bottom ash drawer for a few seconds while the stove was running and put my hand past the burn pot and felt a strong breeze coming in from the outside through the OAK (even with the ash drawer out!). Maybe it's because the OAK has a run of only about 20 inches .. I don't know about what is good for you but I feel it was the way to go in my situation.
Best of luck getting the heat you need out of the Castile.