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Post by dameon on Feb 17, 2014 14:18:16 GMT -7
After the recent ice storm I without power for 5 days, I learned I need to do better with heating! So I have decided that the best option for me is to install a wood burning stove, one that can be used to heat the house and cook on if need be.
So, are there any good resources for buying a cast iron wood stove? Should I avoid any certain kind or style or brand, what is the most important thing to look for? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by solargeek1 on Feb 17, 2014 15:27:22 GMT -7
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Post by tjwilhelm on Feb 17, 2014 15:45:31 GMT -7
I would not buy a thin-walled stove, like the old Ashley stoves. I would also avoid (for long term use) some of he cheapy stoves from Lowes, etc. Instead, I recommend going with a good quality cast iron stove with a catalytic combustor; or, with a cast iron frame and soap stone side panels. I also like having a top loader. If you close all the inlet dampers and open the top load lid, the air will draw into the lid and keep smoke from billowing out into the room. Another nice feature is having an easily removable lower ash pan that can be taken out and emptied even when there's a fire in the stove. Mine has a slip-on ash-pan lid with a carrying handle...I wear gloves, anyway. I recommend getting on: www.hearth.com/ and clicking on the link to their "Main Informational Article Section." This site is a gold mine of wood burning information. I have two Vermont Castings stoves in my home...love 'em! |
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Post by Cwi555 on Feb 17, 2014 15:58:48 GMT -7
I would not buy a thin-walled stove, like the old Ashley stoves. I would also avoid (for long term use) some of he cheapy stoves from Lowes, etc. Instead, I recommend going with a good quality cast iron stove with a catalytic combustor; or, with a cast iron frame and soap stone side panels. I also like having a top loader. If you close all the inlet dampers and open the top load lid, the air will draw into the lid and keep smoke from billowing out into the room. Another nice feature is having an easily removable lower ash pan that can be taken out and emptied even when there's a fire in the stove. Mine has a slip-on ash-pan lid with a carrying handle...I wear gloves, anyway. I recommend getting on: www.hearth.com/ and clicking on the link to their "Main Informational Article Section." This site is a gold mine of wood burning information. I have two Vermont Castings stoves in my home...love 'em! Which specific ones do you own if I may ask? vermont castings |
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Post by geron on Feb 17, 2014 17:17:57 GMT -7
+1 on the Lopi. We have the Leyden Lopi. I also like the top loading. Really, really simplifies stoking the thing. As a matter of fact got to go now and load her up for the night. |
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Post by mountainmark on Feb 17, 2014 18:30:01 GMT -7
I like my Federal Airtight by consolidated dutchwest with cat converter. It doesn't have a removable ash tray as TJ recommended and I wish it did. When the ashes need to get cleaned out, the fire has to die. It gets kinda annoying but if you wait for a warm day and keep stirring the ashes, you won't get too cold inside.
By all means!! Stay away from those thin walled cheap ones. We had a cabin with a cheap little pot-belly for heat. Every now and then the whole thing would glow orange if you filled it too full. My brother was out there one day and couldn't stay any longer so he closed it up tight and left. When we came back a few days later there was no cabin. Just a pile of ashes with a melted, mangled hunk of metal that once was the woodstove. Ironically, we had removed a larger, heavy duty woodstove because it was harder to control the temp. It was still there and unaffected by the blaze. Lesson learned.
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Post by tjwilhelm on Feb 17, 2014 19:10:15 GMT -7
cwi555...
We have the Encore and the Intrepid II. I have friends who own the large Defiant; and, they say it makes their house too hot.
We don't have a big house -- somewhere near 1,750 sq. ft. The Encore is in the main living area and the Intrepid is in the large bedroom.
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Post by cowgirlup on Feb 18, 2014 6:43:50 GMT -7
Not sure of your budget but we got a decent wood stove for $150.00 from someone installing a pellet stove. I looked up the model online and it was originally an $800.00 stove. If I had the space I'd love one of these!!! bestwoodburningcookstoves.com/index.htm |
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Post by mountainmark on Feb 18, 2014 10:39:40 GMT -7
I just got woodstove envy!!    I sure wish I had a cookstove proper. Someday..... |
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Post by dameon on Feb 18, 2014 19:06:01 GMT -7
Thanks for the help! I have a lot to read now!!!  |
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Post by somuchtodo on Feb 24, 2014 18:59:12 GMT -7
I'd plan on getting an ecofan to go with the wood burner.
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Wood Stove
Feb 24, 2014 19:41:30 GMT -7
via mobile
Post by solargeek1 on Feb 24, 2014 19:41:30 GMT -7
I'd plan on getting an ecofan to go with the wood burner. We have an ECOFAN and love it. |
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Post by hunter63 on Feb 25, 2014 15:54:20 GMT -7
We use a Quadra Fire at "The Place".....kinda pricey, but works well.....burn time is good. What you spend on the appliance will be in direct proportion to haw much wood you will save.  Remember to do a safe install, both stove and approved chimney....check your insurance for limitations........ |
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Post by tjwilhelm on Feb 27, 2014 9:11:23 GMT -7
Wow, hunter63. "The place" looks like my kinda place. Very nice!
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Post by hunter63 on Feb 27, 2014 10:06:10 GMT -7
Wow, hunter63. "The place" looks like my kinda place. Very nice! Thanks, we like it....been a Work in Process since 1989...... Pssst...At the time we didn't know anything about a BOL, this was left over from our "Homesteader/Back to the Land" period...LOL "The Place" as in "place up north" and sounds better than "My Compound" |
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