Looking to purchase a wood burning stove to heat a 2500 square foot home. Those of you that heat with wood/coal please let me know what brand/size to be looking for and one that will serve the purpose. Idaho mountain area is the location. Any reason to consider a wood/coal burning oven instead of the stove. Your thoughts/recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
FARM Wood Burning Stove Recommendations
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Jubilee on Earth
Veteran Member
I’ve had four different wood stoves in my lifetime. The best and most efficient by far was the Woodstock soapstone wood stove with catalytic combuster. This is the one I had back in the day. It’s pricey (they’ve gone up a lot in the last several years) but oh what I wouldn’t give to have one of these again.
Palladian Soapstone Wood Stove
Palladian Soapstone Wood Stove
Our stoves came with the house. We have an old Fisher Papa Bear and it does a pretty good job as a whole house heater if needed. Cast iron door and sheet steel body with a fire brick liner. Used ones show up from time to time.
Our cookstove is an old Knox Stove Works. Cookstoves have a small firebox and I would not want to heat a whole house with a cookstove.
Our cookstove is an old Knox Stove Works. Cookstoves have a small firebox and I would not want to heat a whole house with a cookstove.
Dobbin
Faithful Steed
Owner keeps looking at Craigslist. He's familiar with the Woodstock Soapstone stove. There have been several versions made, the original box style with only the door on the end (you don't see the fire and this one dates from the 19th century) and a later version with a "fire-view" on the long side.
Owner seems partial to the door on the end. At least he spends more time looking at these. Owners experience (and complaint) with his daughter's Jotul stove of similar "fire view" layout is the glass view never stays clear (you need to run excess air to make the fire burn cleaner and not make creosote) and for heating you use more wood if you don't burn "airtight." Owner says daughter's stove is a "pretty stove" - but not a good heating stove.
The Woodstock stoves are available - still the company has "morphed" several times since the stove's introduction in the late 19th Century. I see from their website MANY designs - all conforming to the EPA - of course.
Owner did see a Woodstock stove on Facebook Marketplace for $50 - but one of the top slabs was MISSING - one imagines the price of a replacement panel would exceed another complete used stove on Craigslist.
The usual Craigslist prices for these used Woodstock stoves seems to be $500 to $1500, and this for either of the two versions.
So far he hasn't moved on this. His 55 gallon drum stove (Sotz?) is still going strong in the large fireplace in the house.
He has an "Atlantic" box stove in the Man-Cave. He paid $50 for that one - took it all down to the pieces - cleaned it up and painted it - reassembled. It IS an actual airtight stove probably made in the 1980s.
Cheap stoves DO exist - but expect to make up for the cheap price with elbow grease.
Dobbin
Owner seems partial to the door on the end. At least he spends more time looking at these. Owners experience (and complaint) with his daughter's Jotul stove of similar "fire view" layout is the glass view never stays clear (you need to run excess air to make the fire burn cleaner and not make creosote) and for heating you use more wood if you don't burn "airtight." Owner says daughter's stove is a "pretty stove" - but not a good heating stove.
The Woodstock stoves are available - still the company has "morphed" several times since the stove's introduction in the late 19th Century. I see from their website MANY designs - all conforming to the EPA - of course.
Owner did see a Woodstock stove on Facebook Marketplace for $50 - but one of the top slabs was MISSING - one imagines the price of a replacement panel would exceed another complete used stove on Craigslist.
The usual Craigslist prices for these used Woodstock stoves seems to be $500 to $1500, and this for either of the two versions.
So far he hasn't moved on this. His 55 gallon drum stove (Sotz?) is still going strong in the large fireplace in the house.
He has an "Atlantic" box stove in the Man-Cave. He paid $50 for that one - took it all down to the pieces - cleaned it up and painted it - reassembled. It IS an actual airtight stove probably made in the 1980s.
Cheap stoves DO exist - but expect to make up for the cheap price with elbow grease.
Dobbin
Calhounshd
Veteran Member
Second that on the Fisher Papa Bear. I have a Grand Papa Bear in use now. The Papa Bear has one door and a long fire box and the Grand Papa Bear has two doors and a shorter fire box but is wider with roughly the same volume. So well made they don't usually need a seal around the doors (I have five Fishers and none I have need seals).
Jubilee on Earth
Veteran Member
Because the catalytic combuster is designed to burn the smoke, if you will, the fire view window stays pretty clear with the Woodstock. As long as you burn a hot enough fire to engage that combuster, it’s a beautiful view.
Dobbin
Faithful Steed
Owner has had varying experience with "catalytic converter."
He bought the SOTZ version for his drum stove - used it for a couple of years.
It DID reduce the creosote. It did increase the heat - in his case going up the pipe which is not necessarily a bad thing. It was "one more thing to do" to operate - you had to have the stove "up to temperature" to engage the catalytic element which you did by pushing a lever and "sliding" the element into the gas stream. And then sliding out as the stove dies out. (Catalytic converter HAVE to have temperature of the stack gasses above 400F - at least for Owner back in the 1980s.)
Owner says after about three years the catalytic converter grew "less effective" - and it was still trouble to use. So he took it out. New elements WERE available but they start at $100 then. Perhaps the Cat verters are longer lived and cheaper now?
Of course if you buy a high end new stove you're pretty much stuck with a Cat Verter. Actually I've seen some "Vogelzang" box stoves don't have a Cat Verter - but they're advertised as "heat for a shed or unoccupied structure." And they're made in China. China ALWAYS gets a break - of course. Deep $tate EPA.
Dobbin
He bought the SOTZ version for his drum stove - used it for a couple of years.
It DID reduce the creosote. It did increase the heat - in his case going up the pipe which is not necessarily a bad thing. It was "one more thing to do" to operate - you had to have the stove "up to temperature" to engage the catalytic element which you did by pushing a lever and "sliding" the element into the gas stream. And then sliding out as the stove dies out. (Catalytic converter HAVE to have temperature of the stack gasses above 400F - at least for Owner back in the 1980s.)
Owner says after about three years the catalytic converter grew "less effective" - and it was still trouble to use. So he took it out. New elements WERE available but they start at $100 then. Perhaps the Cat verters are longer lived and cheaper now?
Of course if you buy a high end new stove you're pretty much stuck with a Cat Verter. Actually I've seen some "Vogelzang" box stoves don't have a Cat Verter - but they're advertised as "heat for a shed or unoccupied structure." And they're made in China. China ALWAYS gets a break - of course. Deep $tate EPA.
Dobbin
SouthernBreeze
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I love the open view of the fire with our wood heater. It's almost like having a fireplace! Ours is a Dutchwest, and has been used for years without any problems.
Southside
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Yes, This!
Next one I buy will be a Woodstock Soapstone.
NEVER burn Osage Orange in a Soapstone woodstove.
SS
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
I don't know if the Fisher company is still making wood stoves, but I sure wish I had the Mama Bear that my grandparents had in their old house. Those were good stoves, and if you can find one used, grab it.
As far as cook stoves, modern cook stoves often do have large fireboxes (one or two have two fireboxes -- a small one for summer use, and a large one for winter when you want the heat), and most of them are airtight. If you can afford one -- they are EXPENSIVE -- and have the space, that's what I'd get. Some of them will heat a big house like yours. Antique wood cookstoves with a tiny firebox *can* heat a cabin or one room, but the fire needs constant tending, and they usually are not airtight. Often you can find a used antique that is still in good condition for not too much money -- generally, it's the white enameled ones built in the 1930's-1950's, because they aren't as 'pretty' as some of the fancy older ones with a lot of chrome on them. They fit well in a retro-style kitchen, though, and work great. A good set-up is to have an old cookstove with the small firebox in the kitchen and on the wall behind it, in the living room, and using the same chimney (but with separate flues), have a heating stove.
Ideally, if you can manage it, get a stove that has either a water jacket or coils for heating water, or a cook stove with a water reservoir (my preference would be for a reservoir AND coils to a free-standing tank next to the stove).
Kathleen
As far as cook stoves, modern cook stoves often do have large fireboxes (one or two have two fireboxes -- a small one for summer use, and a large one for winter when you want the heat), and most of them are airtight. If you can afford one -- they are EXPENSIVE -- and have the space, that's what I'd get. Some of them will heat a big house like yours. Antique wood cookstoves with a tiny firebox *can* heat a cabin or one room, but the fire needs constant tending, and they usually are not airtight. Often you can find a used antique that is still in good condition for not too much money -- generally, it's the white enameled ones built in the 1930's-1950's, because they aren't as 'pretty' as some of the fancy older ones with a lot of chrome on them. They fit well in a retro-style kitchen, though, and work great. A good set-up is to have an old cookstove with the small firebox in the kitchen and on the wall behind it, in the living room, and using the same chimney (but with separate flues), have a heating stove.
Ideally, if you can manage it, get a stove that has either a water jacket or coils for heating water, or a cook stove with a water reservoir (my preference would be for a reservoir AND coils to a free-standing tank next to the stove).
Kathleen
jward
passin' thru
I too am an ardent supporter of woodstock soapstone products; at the time I sourced mine, they had the best emission standards, and purtiest and most efficient models, and were easy peasy to work with as a company. IIRC it's not sized to heat the full 2700sf of the main floor, but by placing it in the center of the house and judicious use of well placed fans, I've never had any complaint. I don't use the 3 burner cast iron cook top or the baking oven I added nearly as much as I should, but they do work beautifully.
I however chose this model:
www.woodstove.com
I however chose this model:
Progress Hybrid Wood Stove
Unique Hybrid Design The Progress is a HYBRID because it uses both a catalytic combustor and a secondary combustion system. Until the Progress was introduced in 2011, EPA certified wood stoves used one or the other. The Progress gives you the best of both systems - combined. A catalytic combustor b
www.woodstove.com
Don't heat with a cookstove, excellent. Fisher still make stove?
These types of stoves?
https://www.woodstove.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIstyuybHK8wIVUR6tBh2HkgTnEAAYASAAEgJtj_D_BwE
Palladian Soapstone Wood Stove
$3,476.00
Progress Hybrid Wood Stove
$4,410.00
Blaze king, before the cat versions, we bought ours new in 82 and are still using it. Good luck finding one of the pre EPA ones . Folks and relatives had buck and fisher stoves, I think the blaze stove is better. The cats can be finicky about wood, are expensive to replace, and if TSHTF you might not be able to easily get replacement.
Vermont Castings any good?
Vermont Castings Defiant
www.vermontcastings.com
Vermont Castings Defiant
Defiant Wood-Burning Stoves by Vermont Castings
Shop Defiant Two-in-One Convertible Wood-Burning Stoves - Quality Cast Iron Construction from Vermont Castings
www.vermontcastings.com
jersey juice
Senior Member
We had a stove with a catalytic converter, it was an expensive pain after the first year. We now have a DS wood/coal combo indoor stove and a wood burning Kitchen Queen model 450 in the kitchen for cooking/heating. I would never want to be without that stove.
We also have an outdoor coal/wood combo boiler for the extreme cold temps. We like the flexibility of having coal or wood, and have several years worth of both stored and kept dry.
Keep in mind the cost of a good double walled chimney may cost you as much/more than the stove itself.
We also have an outdoor coal/wood combo boiler for the extreme cold temps. We like the flexibility of having coal or wood, and have several years worth of both stored and kept dry.
Keep in mind the cost of a good double walled chimney may cost you as much/more than the stove itself.
jersey juice
Senior Member
Defiant was the catalytic converter stove that I mentioned in my post above that we ended up hating, and swapped it. It looks pretty but it was a maintenance headache.
Chicken Mama
Veteran Member
This is the one we have. Last I heard was that they'd been bought, which is a good thing because it was a nightmare trying to get parts or even someone to answer the phone.
The stove works really well though. We can't use it unless it's really cold though because it runs us out! We regulate the house temp by opening the sliding glass door near the stove.
Only other dislike is that it doesn't burn all night no matter what kind of wood we burn.
Favorite feature is the top-load and griddle-on-top. I've used it to cook soups and beans but otherwise put a pan of water on top for added air moisture.
www.vermontcastings.com
The stove works really well though. We can't use it unless it's really cold though because it runs us out! We regulate the house temp by opening the sliding glass door near the stove.
Only other dislike is that it doesn't burn all night no matter what kind of wood we burn.
Favorite feature is the top-load and griddle-on-top. I've used it to cook soups and beans but otherwise put a pan of water on top for added air moisture.
Encore Wood Burning Stove
The Encore provides more than heat: it’s a skillfully crafted, timeless piece of furniture.
www.vermontcastings.com
jward
passin' thru
Agree that the converters are a pain, there are some tips and tricks to using them, and the main advantage I saw at the time was that the government overreach was coming for us who use wood heat, and thus the emission standards and tech offered some protections, at least in the short term.
I would imagine that since "obamas third term" is rolling right along with the "fundamental transformation" they'll soon circle back to their efforts to stamp out any self reliance via providing our own heat and cooking. . .just a guess o' course
I would imagine that since "obamas third term" is rolling right along with the "fundamental transformation" they'll soon circle back to their efforts to stamp out any self reliance via providing our own heat and cooking. . .just a guess o' course
Ravekid
Veteran Member
I have a Jøtul F 50 TL Rangeley. I believe this model was discontinued within the last couple of years. There might be a few left for sale, maybe at a discount. It works great. I have a flat ceiling and the return air intake vents are about 25 feet away mounted near the ceiling. With just a midsized, mid range temp fire, with the HVAC fan on, I can easily heat 2,200 sq. feet.
The only downside is that the burn times aren’t that long. Newer stoves with a catalytic converter are showing amazing burn times. Basically you get the fire started, wait till the cat reaches a certain temp, then reduce air intake. The fire becomes a slow burn, minimal flame, but the cat continues to combust thus keeping the temp up.
Look up the Ashford 30.2 by Blaze King and the Ideal Steel Hybrid Wood stove. Read up to make sure additional cat conv are available. Last I read, Blaze King was saying theirs were good for a decade and it was a very easy swap out.
I’m seriously considering upgrading to one of the above mentioned models. Mostly because I really like the idea of being able to go at least a half day without adding wood.
The only downside is that the burn times aren’t that long. Newer stoves with a catalytic converter are showing amazing burn times. Basically you get the fire started, wait till the cat reaches a certain temp, then reduce air intake. The fire becomes a slow burn, minimal flame, but the cat continues to combust thus keeping the temp up.
Look up the Ashford 30.2 by Blaze King and the Ideal Steel Hybrid Wood stove. Read up to make sure additional cat conv are available. Last I read, Blaze King was saying theirs were good for a decade and it was a very easy swap out.
I’m seriously considering upgrading to one of the above mentioned models. Mostly because I really like the idea of being able to go at least a half day without adding wood.
Southside
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Those are the ones!
These types of stoves?
https://www.woodstove.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIstyuybHK8wIVUR6tBh2HkgTnEAAYASAAEgJtj_D_BwE
Palladian Soapstone Wood Stove
$3,476.00
Progress Hybrid Wood Stove
$4,410.00
jward
passin' thru
yup that's it, not much to look at maybe, but it's been idiot proof thus far
...signed, the idiot.
think i've put a pic o' it up before
...signed, the idiot.
think i've put a pic o' it up before
These types of stoves?
https://www.woodstove.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIstyuybHK8wIVUR6tBh2HkgTnEAAYASAAEgJtj_D_BwE
Palladian Soapstone Wood Stove
$3,476.00
Progress Hybrid Wood Stove
$4,410.00
LinuxFreakus
Contributing Member
I have a house about that size... and I have a flush mounted insert.
www.lopistoves.com
It easily heats the whole house all winter... as long as i put a good load in before bed time it will still be blowing hot air and plenty of coals in the morning. BUT unlike most of the full free standing stoves people are talking about here... this one will need a little bit of electricity to run the blower. Its been good though, and I didn't have to remodel my whole living room to install it since a free standing unit would need to be out away from the wall.
Stoves | Wood | Gas | Pellet | Lopi Stoves®
NORTH AMERICA'S FAVORITE FIRE Lopi wood, pellet, and gas heating appliances have been North America’s favorite choice in fire for over 40 years. Our reputation for solid craftsmanship, reliable performance, low emissions and unbeatable heating efficiency has been a winning combination year...
www.lopistoves.com
It easily heats the whole house all winter... as long as i put a good load in before bed time it will still be blowing hot air and plenty of coals in the morning. BUT unlike most of the full free standing stoves people are talking about here... this one will need a little bit of electricity to run the blower. Its been good though, and I didn't have to remodel my whole living room to install it since a free standing unit would need to be out away from the wall.
CaryC
Has No Life - Lives on TB
I didn't see where anyone replied, course I could be blind too.Vermont Castings any good?
Vermont Castings Defiant
View attachment 296179Defiant Wood-Burning Stoves by Vermont Castings
Shop Defiant Two-in-One Convertible Wood-Burning Stoves - Quality Cast Iron Construction from Vermont Castings
I wouldn't hesitate to get one of those, unless it was the cost. I may be wrong, but I think the Dutchwest are part of Vermont Castings.
Our Dutchwest is one of the smaller ones, and we've had it for years and years. Takes max 18". But our house is around 1000 sq. ft. Without insulation in the walls the heater struggles when temps get into the low teens. And we have the doors open to the bedrooms at night. 'Course the heat in the heater is also falling overnight. So we have a 3 brick propane heater to help out on those types of nights.
Everything about it is manual, so it may take some time to get the hang of it, but it is the best heat out there. Also if you crank it to early be prepared to open doors, and go naked a while. 'Cuz it will burn you of out there. Course you could put rocks on it and pour water over 'em for a sauna.
My meaning is it's not a set it and forget it. Also depending on wood what works for one load may not work for another, concerning air flow etc...
But you should note the weight. Ours weights almost 400 lbs. And I just checked and Vermont Castings does make the Dutchwest.
I would also get the heat shields all around. You would be amazed how much/well that works. Originally we did not have them on, and our ceramic tile floor under the heater got hot to the touch. Installed the shields and they aren't even warm now.
LinuxFreakus
Contributing Member
Oops, my insert I just linked to the company... not to the actual model:
www.lopistoves.com
Large Flush Wood NexGen-Fyre™ Arch
INNOVATIONS WATCH VIDEO ON THIS FIREPLACE HOW TO USE YOUR MOISTURE METER
www.lopistoves.com
adgal
Veteran Member
We've had our Woodstock Soapstone stove for over 20 years - and we still love it. They are great at shipping out replacement parts, their customer service is top-notch, and the stove will warm and area, but not be overwhelming. When our kids were home we would stoke it at night and in the morning, the soapstone would still be warm and that would be the gathering place in the morning for prayers, huddled around the soapstone. I highly recommend them!!! Fireview Soapstone Wood Stove
And the tax credit is a bonus too - https://www.woodstove.com/woodstock...1-Tax-Credit-for-High-Performance-Wood-Stoves!
And the tax credit is a bonus too - https://www.woodstove.com/woodstock...1-Tax-Credit-for-High-Performance-Wood-Stoves!
I have a Woodstock soapstone non catalytic converter it's by far the most efficient stove I've ever owned.. It will still be radiating heat 8 hours after the fire is long out .I owned a dutchwest catalytic medium size in a 1600 ft² house It heated it very well. The dutchwest is also a very good stove. I've heated with everything from a buck stove, a tsc special ,A warm morning coal stoker, and a Fireplace. They all heat except the fire place.. You pour wood into an open fireplace and the only room that's warm is the one where the fireplace is.. It pulls so much air it freezes the rest of the house.
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Alaskan_Leatherhead
Contributing Member
A lot of people up here like Blaze King Stoves
Bud in Fla
Veteran Member
I wanted to get a soapstone wood stove when we were in WV but never could justify it since we already had a good fireplace insert that came with the house. It was our primary heat once it got below 20° or so. No point in using a heat pump with electric heat strips.
When we were in NC we got a Jotul gas stove that heated the whole 2 story house. The same stove did pretty good in WV, too but it's location wasn't the best. My neighbor there had a Jotul wood stove and he loved it.
My first wood heater was an Ashley - not much to look at but it was easier to operate than any other wood stove I've ever used. Northern Equipment has them listed - they look like an old freestanding oil heater. They're less than half the price of some of the others mentioned here, too.
I can also say that since we moved to Fl we haven't lit a single fire in the fireplace and only had a few fires for clean up out back. I still kinda miss the wood smoke on crisp mountain air, the Fall colors, the first few snows of the season...but I'm not going to slip on the sunshine here and break anything!
I've had 4 hip replacements and SWMBO has had a knee replacement. I wore the first set out and had to have them "revised".
When we were in NC we got a Jotul gas stove that heated the whole 2 story house. The same stove did pretty good in WV, too but it's location wasn't the best. My neighbor there had a Jotul wood stove and he loved it.
My first wood heater was an Ashley - not much to look at but it was easier to operate than any other wood stove I've ever used. Northern Equipment has them listed - they look like an old freestanding oil heater. They're less than half the price of some of the others mentioned here, too.
I can also say that since we moved to Fl we haven't lit a single fire in the fireplace and only had a few fires for clean up out back. I still kinda miss the wood smoke on crisp mountain air, the Fall colors, the first few snows of the season...but I'm not going to slip on the sunshine here and break anything!
I've had 4 hip replacements and SWMBO has had a knee replacement. I wore the first set out and had to have them "revised".
Info on the history of Fisher stoves - Fisher Wood Stove Review - What's The Best Model? (firewood-for-life.com)
Check craigslist etc in your area for used ones.
Check craigslist etc in your area for used ones.
CGTech
Has No Life - Lives on TB
This is what we have in our house. Burn maybe 2-3 cords a winter, heats the whole house (open concept design) with no issues, no matter what the temp is outside.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dvuunb6pJU
Pat Hogen
Contributing Member
Masonry Heaters: Benefits, How They Work, And Photos • Insteading
A masonry heater is an ancient heating technology that's way more efficient than stoves made from metal. Learn more about the benefits and examples of them
insteading.com
