Stove suggestion to replace VC 1977 vigilant

[neverstop]

Oh sorry, didn't mean for that to divulge into an argument in my absence. Expecting my first kid in October so I've been working on the nursery. That is actually another motivation to get a newer stove; new baby in the house.

In regards to the advice I was given at the store; it was from the store owner. It's a tiny shop and 1 man operation. His recommendation was based on previous experience of his customers with catted stoves. He said customers had issues with cats not functioning correctly and having to be replaced every 2-3 years to the tune of a couple of hundred $$ (I wasn't aware of the limited life expectancy of a cat). He additionally was suggesting to look at stoves with welded steel fireboxes vs cast-iron (which I had already decided on prior to talking to him). This was to cut down on maintenance. He's a good guy overall, he wasn't pushy on anything and he answered all of the questions that I had for him. His suggestions stemmed from customer complaints, and I assume his assessment of me (young guy, no experience with woodstoves).

I burned probably on average 8 hrs/day from October-March of last burning season. I would have burnt more if the stove was capable of longer burns and I had confidence in its operation.

If I could have my cake and eat it too I'd be looking for a stove that has:

• steel firebox
• 12+ hr burns
• qualifies for the 2021 tax credit since I'm including a new installation (~$2,200 additional on the high end?)
• temperature control that works well (i have no comparison other than the 40yr VC)
• low maintenance

TL;DR: store owner was nice, suggestions stemmed from customer complaints and cat cost $. have a kid on the way so would like a low maintenance stove that achieves long burns, qualifies for the tax credit and is low maintenance.

 

[EbS-P]

• steel firebox
• 12+ hr burns
• qualifies for the 2021 tax credit since I'm including a new installation (~$2,200 additional on the high end?)
• temperature control that works well (i have no comparison other than the 40yr VC)
• low maintenance

ja Roby might be the only one that comes close but it’s not going to get 12 hours. Going to have to make a compromise somewhere.

As for the cats they say 10,000 hours. 8 hours a day is two loads call it 12 ( for 180 days or 2200 hours a year) so you could expect 4-5 years out of a cat. 250$ every 5 years for long slow burns seems reasonable

all stoves need regular maintenance; sweep the flue, new gaskets every so often, maybe new bricks or a baffle board.

You will probably be money ahead to go with a biger Drolet or Englander stove and not use the the tax credit.
Just my thoughts.

 

[EbS-P]

have a kid on the way

We have four boys. Done is better than waiting perfect.

 

[Bad LP]

If I’m researching something and asking questions I’m absolutely talking to a few people and listening to their POV. What they are saying is their opinion. As such, I’ll take it under advisement.
No one person or shop knows it all.

 

[neverstop]

I appreciated the discussion I had with the owner, but it didn't change the requirements I have for the new stove. The only non-cat that I have found that seems to come close was the Lopi Evergreen NexGen-Fyre. (broken link removed to https://www.lopistoves.com/product/evergreen-nexgen-fyre/)

Low and slow is a must, I can deal with $250 every 4-5 yrs if it enables me to easily burn overnight and while I'm at work.

 

[EbS-P]

Low and slow is a must, I can deal with $250 every 4-5 yrs if it enables me to easily burn overnight and while I'm at work.

Sweeping your own flue saves that much a year. Tax credit will save enough for maybe 20 years worth of cats? I think it’s where many/most stoves are headed in the next decade. Pm 2.5 pollution is going to get more not less attention.

evan

 

[neverstop]

that is very true. now i have to switch gears and look at what catted stove makes the most sense.

 

[stoveliker]

The 30 fireboxes of BKs would allow that (if your chimney meets the requirements).
My very first try of low and slow reached about a 24 burn before reloading on hot coals.

There are other stoves too, though I would note that for low and slow it is really nice to have an even output so that if the wood settled while you're gone, and the rate goes up a bit, you don't come home to an cold stove. The thermostat on a BK automatically adjusts the airflow when the heat output changes.

I'll let others comment/recommend other stoves.

 

[neverstop]

I'm between the hearthstone heritage and the hearthstone shelbourne. They both have rear exit options lower than my current thimble height.

So my question now is: is there any reason the stove couldn't be installed similar to what is shown below with the flue pipe having 2 45s to reach the required thimble height?

 

[stoveliker]

IF the stoves have the rear exit option, I would think that that should not be a problem. In fact, going slightly up is better than going flat horizontal for 2 ft before doing a 90 degree up. Given their rear exit, they should do well with a horizontal run (see if you can download the manual to see if they have requirements for the max horizontal run), and your drawing is likely to impede draft less than a flat (or 1" per foot rise) horizontal run.

But, see if you can fnd a manual. BK manuals are pretty specific in what they need as minimum requirements. I'd hope other stoves are similarly informative in their manuals.

 

[neverstop]

IF the stoves have the rear exit option, I would think that that should not be a problem. In fact, going slightly up is better than going flat horizontal for 2 ft before doing a 90 degree up. Given their rear exit, they should do well with a horizontal run (see if you can download the manual to see if they have requirements for the max horizontal run), and your drawing is likely to impede draft less than a flat (or 1" per foot rise) horizontal run.

But, see if you can fnd a manual. BK manuals are pretty specific in what they need as minimum requirements. I'd hope other stoves are similarly informative in their manuals.

all it says is that the minimum chimney height for a rear exit install is 15' and that the horizontal run out of the stove should have at least a 0.25" rise per linear foot.