VC Dauntless - Hearthstone Castleton - Jotul F500 - new purchase guidance

[cabinwarmer]

Good Day, just found the forum, great info and thanks for all the good postings! I am in search of a new stove to replace my old Waterford. A lot to choose from.
Heating area is a large kitchen, open, cathedral ceiling in most of the area. The single large room is Approx 800 sq ft, but has a small bath off it, also open archways/door ways on both sides into other portions of the house. I have started my search with the 50K BTU number in mind. Would like to circulate some of the heat out into these passageways as well. Here is what I am thinking I would like in a new stove:

Non CAT
18 inch log
Side load
Sitting area is close to stove
Current stove is rated at 33K BTU - and is on the small side
6 inch top outlet

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Dave

 

[begreen]

Is there a particular reason for the sideload option? That's not an option on two of the stoves listed. The reason I ask is that there are many good stoves to choose from that are front load only. Also, two of the stoves mentioned have a cat.

 

[cabinwarmer]

Sideload is just a preference for neatless only. Not a show stopper. I thought the VC was able to be purchased either with or without a cat? Two different models for 2020, no?

 

[begreen]

I made an error. Still learning about the Dauntless. It's a new model. All three stoves are catalytic. If that is a real criteria there are other 2020 non-cat stove to consider. Check out the non-cat Jotul F45 and the PE Alderlea T5.

It looks like another criteria is aesthetics. All of these stoves have a classic look.