Well, I see a lot of folk start a thread asking what stove to buy. It sure is a difficult decision. I have spent a few hours + reading, learning, etc. It does become mind boggling. I liked the encouragement to consider jacket stoves. We spent years opening doors and windows. Did not need sweaters! So the even heat sounds good. Also the comments here and there, most stoves will do the job reminds me not to get discouraged trying to decide.
So I bought one, then read reviews as it was not on my list! Ach! So many opinions. I love Jotul. But the Oslo has end door on wrong end, I would always be carrying wood around the stove and not jacketed. The 55 has no ash pan was not in stock to see, and the 50 a little small. I looked at PE Alderlea T5, I liked it but went to Lehman's to see more. At Lehman's, they carry Blaze King, Jotul, Hearhstone and maybe more. The blaze King seemed great with 30-40 hour burn time but the cat scared me away. The salesman kept pointing me to the Hearthstone Manchester. It is jacketed, can have right end door, all good. Soapstone lined, I had read controversy over that. On the con, he admitted the ash pan could be and was for him a nuisance at times as ashes could spill out the back. I had wanted the cooktop some have like PE. The Manchester is jacketed on top so no cooktop. But he said it has really good convection movement. That is good. Exhausted, I picked the Manchester. I really liked the end door on right....will be next to firewood entry to house. I know the soapstone is slow to warm up, but then apparently does heat up house. Izzi(spelling ?) on one thread said she loves this stove. That was encouraging. Well done is done. My mind is able to rest from the decision. At least anyway if we are cold, we can look at our pretty stove!
