Which stove to buy?

[Hogwildz]

I’m not sure what your 3 medium splits are in comparison to the number required to fill your firebox, but if I’m at less than 20% capacity in any of the stoves I’ve burned, it takes damn near forever for the cat to come up to temp. The two splits I described in my prior post would be at least half gone, before my chimney and cat came up to 500F, the required temp for closing the bypass damper. Three medium splits would do better.

That was my point, there is a limit to this “small fire in a big stove” thing. If you disagree, please send a photo of active secondaries on no more than four toothpicks. [emoji14]

I would need about 10,000 toothpicks to get her up to temp. And it would probably be a big ol nuclear flash. I'n not running a cat, so I cannot give any input regarding a cat stoves needs to achieve & sustain temp. Not a knock on cats, just maybe there is a difference in that area.

3 Medium splits I am guessing is approx 1/3 of a full firebox in my case. But I also use a N-S pyramid style stacking to burn this way. Or, I do 2 N_S & two E-W over top. I do this during shoulder seasons until it is cold enough outside to keep going 24/7. Usually only burning 1x per day in shoulder season. The load also last much longer during shoulder season, as I don't need the amount of heat as I do during the cold spell obviously, and less draw also has an effect on burn time & heat output.

I'm not saying he should go buy the largest stove he can only to burn small fires in it. But he found a larger stove that he can afford. And it can be used efficiently IMO.

 

[begreen]

@Adam.weir keep looking at stoves that are around 1.5-2 cu ft. There are some on Kiiji
If this is in decent condition inside and out (no cracks) it could work. Baffle and inner plates should be checked. They are pricey to replace. Asking $300.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-fireplace-firewood/owen-sound/waterford-leprechaun-wood-stove/1395254377)
This might work too. Asking $400. Ask model, may be a cat stove.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-fireplace-firewood/muskoka/wood-burning-stove/1393790826)
This is with some chimney pipe.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-stove-oven-range/ottawa/wood-stove-and-chimney/1395110849?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true)

 

[Ashful]

3 medium splits will get our 3 cu ft stove up to clean burning temp, though 4 would be better. The insulated firebox seems to help. Just curious, have you owned or heated with an EPA non-cat stove?

Yes, 3 splits do okay in my stoves, 4 is no problem at all. My post said "two small splits in a big stove", which is pushing the limits of my stoves, and likely any larger stove. Just responding to the "small fire in a big stove" comment.

Nope, no non-cats here, and there won't be until they can achieve the burn times and burn rates of cat stoves. The OP might benefit from the turn-down capability of a cat stove, but if it’s just for ambience, that’s debatable.

 

[begreen]

For sure, two small sticks are not going to make much heat, even in a firebox half our sizes, regardless of whether it is a cat or non-cat.

 

[Adam.weir]

@Adam.weir keep looking at stoves that are around 1.5-2 cu ft. There are some on Kiiji
If this is in decent condition inside and out (no cracks) it could work. Baffle and inner plates should be checked. They are pricey to replace. Asking $300.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-fireplace-firewood/owen-sound/waterford-leprechaun-wood-stove/1395254377)
This might work too. Asking $400. Ask model, may be a cat stove.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-fireplace-firewood/muskoka/wood-burning-stove/1393790826)
This is with some chimney pipe.
(broken link removed to https://www.kijiji.ca/v-stove-oven-range/ottawa/wood-stove-and-chimney/1395110849?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true)

Thanks for your help!

 

[Adam.weir]

Just some small concerns that need to be address before any stove is installed in your basement.
1. Make up air, is there a way to install a outside air connection? my concern is the smaller insulated space competing for air if the furnace (forced air I'm assuming) gets turned on or the dryer / bathroom vent is running.
2. Summer time negative stack pressures, aka reverse draft, again when other ventilation is in operation.
3. Chimney install, you going straight up or outside then up? bungalow type home so the overall chimney height needs to be a minimum of 15ft, you may need additional bracing on the roof.

Sorry for late reply. I just saw this.
What would an outside air connection look like?
The stove would be under a window. A dryer is about 25 feet from where stove would be. I was told opening the dryer door could achieve this if needed?
I’m assuming this needs to be constant? Not just to get fire going?

Your second point refers to the potential for warmer outside air to come back into the basement through the chimney?

The chimeny I was planing on going up from stove, then 90 degrees out to the outside, another 90 degree turn up, then straight up through the soffit. It is a small bungalow home.