Stove too big?

[strongarm]

I have been looking to replace my Jotul 8 cat stove from 1994. It is in a second home that gets used on weekends. The house is small, 1100 or so sqft. I’m looking for a decent used non catalytic unit, as well as decent looking. Most of the stoves I have found are designed for 2000 sqft houses or bigger.
My question is if I have the clearance for a bigger stove, should I get one? Is there any disadvantages, other than making it too hot in the house if loaded up too much?
I passed on a really nice soapstone stove due to it’s heating ability.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Is the house heated when you walk in during the winter? If so, I’d get an appropriate sized stove. If not, go bigger.

 

[strongarm]

House is heated to 40f. It goes up around 10 degrees a hour with the current stove.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

I would think a medium sized stove should be fine. If you were in northern Maine I’d say go big, but southeast mass mid- size should be fine.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

10F isn’t bad. I’d keep the same size stove. Bump the regular heat. Too much stove and you’re going to hate lighting it.

 

[strongarm]

I would think a medium sized stove should be fine. If you were in northern Maine I’d say go big, but southeast mass mid- size should be fine.

My apologies, the location is in the Mount Washington valley in New Hampshire. The house is a chalet with cathedral ceilings.

 

[begreen]

Look at 1.5 to 2 cu ft stoves. The Drolet Nano is a good stove and reasonably priced for $999. If more muscle is desired for faster heating then the Century Heating FW3200 Wood Stove - CB00023 sells for about $1,200.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

The problem with faster heating, is the stove doesn’t shut off once the ideal temperature is achieved, lol. 20F increase is good for the first hour, 1.5 hours, the next 7 aren’t going to be enjoyable though! 1.5 to 2 cu ft would do it. I wouldn’t go larger! If the house wasn’t at 40 at walk-in, I’d go larger to heat the thermal mass in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[Ctwoodtick]

My apologies, the location is in the Mount Washington valley in New Hampshire. The house is a chalet with cathedral ceilings.

It’s tough to know the exact way to go. Like others have said a medium sized stove will probably be good. a cold snap up there you may be a bit chilly, but overheating your place stinks too. Medium should be good.

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

Go with a medium stove and make sure you have a good stash of softwoods (pine,basswood, cedar). Those would work good for when you need to push the stove for heat and then you can rock some harder stuff for a steadier.

 

[begreen]

A good plan when visiting the cabin is to do an initial large fire to raise the temp of the mass of the bldg and its contents 30º, then do half-loads for more moderate heat.