starterlogg
ArboristSite Lurker
Well I think I've got the wife talked into getting rid of the fireplace and getting a stove ,now let me have it, no sugar coat , no bull. What should I be looking for so I don't waste anymore money and time. Thank You
I need your help
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haveawoody
Addicted to ArboristSite
starterlogg,
Well lots of options to pick from.
Is it going to be your main heating for the house?
Does the wife want something to be warm or warm and look wonderful?
Do you have a good source for wood?
Epa rated stoves are going to be your best choice since they burn less wood in a more efficient manner.
A few of the admins here not only help choosing wood stoves but sell them also so I would put your list of must haves together and I'm sure a few of them will be quite happy to point you in the direction of a very good stove for your needs.
Involve the wife in the decision, just trust me
Well lots of options to pick from.
Is it going to be your main heating for the house?
Does the wife want something to be warm or warm and look wonderful?
Do you have a good source for wood?
Epa rated stoves are going to be your best choice since they burn less wood in a more efficient manner.
A few of the admins here not only help choosing wood stoves but sell them also so I would put your list of must haves together and I'm sure a few of them will be quite happy to point you in the direction of a very good stove for your needs.
Involve the wife in the decision, just trust me
zogger
Tree Freak
Not an expert by any means, but you have to start with your chimney, what is it rated for, are you able to just install an inserty or freestanding stove there, etc. makes a big difference how it is constructed, etc. this may be an easy type project for you, or more involved.
In our case here, just an old masonry brick fireplace that was bricked up (before we were here) and a six inch hole put in about where it would have been one foot over the mantle. Wood stove plugs in there.
An extremly crude but working solution. Other guys here have had to completely replace the chimney and install a different one. or perhaps a new liner, or just bypass it and go outside through a wall, who knows. The smart guys will want a lot more detail.
In our case here, just an old masonry brick fireplace that was bricked up (before we were here) and a six inch hole put in about where it would have been one foot over the mantle. Wood stove plugs in there.
An extremly crude but working solution. Other guys here have had to completely replace the chimney and install a different one. or perhaps a new liner, or just bypass it and go outside through a wall, who knows. The smart guys will want a lot more detail.
it is just like wood. Not all stoves are created equal. Start looking at stoves online as well as their specifications. Then create a list of your favorite ones. It would be helpful then to go onto woodheat.org or another similiar website to see the ratings of stoves that you are interested in. After that, go see them in person for yourself. When I was looking for a new stove, I bought the one that had the biggest glass door for fire viewing online without seeing it in person first and doing more extensive research. I wish that I could go back and change things. I am not happy with the performance, durability and burn-time of the one I chose. I hope this helps.
Gavman
ArboristSite Operative
Dont sugar coat it you say, Pics of the wife then please, and dont sugar coat them
ziggy2b
ArboristSite Member
Just take a look at this!!!
Rocket mass heater:you tube they are neat,cheap to build,more heat for little wood,No chimney fires, very little ash...They have a lot of different styles people have made,just take a look.
Rocket mass heater:you tube they are neat,cheap to build,more heat for little wood,No chimney fires, very little ash...They have a lot of different styles people have made,just take a look.
apn73
ArboristSite Operative
If you're going to be looking at EPA certified stoves, and as one poster has already you mentioned, you should be because it's the smartest way to go. They're 1/3 more efficient (on average) than a regular old box stove, therefore 1/3 less wood burned and pretty much 1/3 less work all the way around. Don't get too hung up on published efficiencies and particulate numbers of the different stoves, last I knew no two stove manufacturers are arriving at those numbers in same fashion, there's no standard methodology to calculate those numbers. It's really how big a stove you need and whether or not you like the looks of it (this is where you want to involve the Mrs.). Don't be afraid to go a little too big on the stove, you can always cut back the air flow, burn a smaller charge of wood, or burn wood with less btu content with bigger stove. But when it gets really cold, you'll have to fire the heck of the smaller stove to keep up with heat loss of the house, if you'll be able to at all. One other thing to consider if whether or not you want a catalytic stove or non-catalytic stove. If you're the type of person who likes to tweak to get every last bit of usable btu's out of the wood, then the catalytic stove is for you. If you're a "set it and forget it" type, then go with the non-cat stove. After the catalytic combustor starts to degrade and the efficiency starts to fall off, the efficiency of the two type of stoves averages out over the life time of them, or so I have heard. One advantage of the catalytic stoves is that you can get a lower and slower burn out of them without smoldering. In order of lowest to highest cost of construction it goes welded steel, cast iron and then soap stone. There is really no performance difference between the types of wood stove construction, what do you like the looks of and how much do you want to spend?
You really need a 6" round (or a cross sectional area that works out to be the same) stainless steel chimney liner, insulated liners are very good idea but not necessary, running from the stove all the way up to very top of your house to get good performance. When your stove is performing well, it isn't the stove that is performing, it's the chimney that is doing the performing. The chimney is most important part of the system and that cannot be understated. A conversation with a chimney sweep may be a good first step, because without good draft, wood heating just isn't fun.
You really need a 6" round (or a cross sectional area that works out to be the same) stainless steel chimney liner, insulated liners are very good idea but not necessary, running from the stove all the way up to very top of your house to get good performance. When your stove is performing well, it isn't the stove that is performing, it's the chimney that is doing the performing. The chimney is most important part of the system and that cannot be understated. A conversation with a chimney sweep may be a good first step, because without good draft, wood heating just isn't fun.
apn73
ArboristSite Operative
"Overstated" is what I meant to say.
Fred Wright
Addicted to ArboristSite
Several variables are involved; all should be taken into consideration before a decision is made.
What do you want the stove to do? Heat the whole house or just part of it? You'll need a cubic foot metric and know how well your home is insulated to calculate your BTU needs.
A freestanding stove is, after all a space heater. If you prefer to heat more remote areas of your home you'll need ceiling fans or other methods of moving interior air.
As stated, the chimney is a critical part of any new install plan. The existing flue could be used, it depends on the condition. Get an opinion from a licenced sweep or specialist first.
With the info you need at hand, you can start shopping for your new wood burner. Good luck.
What do you want the stove to do? Heat the whole house or just part of it? You'll need a cubic foot metric and know how well your home is insulated to calculate your BTU needs.
A freestanding stove is, after all a space heater. If you prefer to heat more remote areas of your home you'll need ceiling fans or other methods of moving interior air.
As stated, the chimney is a critical part of any new install plan. The existing flue could be used, it depends on the condition. Get an opinion from a licenced sweep or specialist first.
With the info you need at hand, you can start shopping for your new wood burner. Good luck.
One more factor to consider is insurance. You might want to check with your homeowners insurer, and see how they handle wood-fired appliances. (Some can't.)
Depending on their response, you might want to seek a better insurer. E.g. USAA asked, out of the blue, if I was running a woodstove. Yes, for years. "Okay" they said. End of story.
Many folks tell very different stories. Benefit from their experience.
Depending on their response, you might want to seek a better insurer. E.g. USAA asked, out of the blue, if I was running a woodstove. Yes, for years. "Okay" they said. End of story.
Many folks tell very different stories. Benefit from their experience.
Ironworker
Addicted to ArboristSite
Go to the local stove guy and let him help you, they know what they're doing. Don't be afraid to spend money cause in the end you get what you pay for. In my home we have a Lopi Freedom insert heating 3200 sq. ft. and love it. Good luck.
stihly dan
Addicted to ArboristSite
Not necessarily true. When I was looking for a stove, before I knew about the furnaces. The local stove shop owner wanted to hire me because I new more than his salesmen about different stoves and how they work. Although I am very OCD about spending a lot of money.
Do your research, read the manuals, and pay attention here. There are some very knowledgeable and experienced people here.
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Gavman
ArboristSite Operative
That smartness comes from 16 months on this site I bet or at least some of it...
I'm approaching expert status meself right now too, and thats sober....
ShaneLogs
Addicted to ArboristSite
You what buying a bigger and better brand new stove means....you going to be getting bigger wood to put in the bigger stove and your going to need a bigger saw to cut up the bigger wood for the bigger stove :msp_tongue: It's a good excuse to buy another saw 
apn73
ArboristSite Operative
Do you do mail order grapple loads to IL Shane? Wonder what that shipping charge would be.You what buying a bigger and better brand new stove means....you going to be getting bigger wood to put in the bigger stove and your going to need a bigger saw to cut up the bigger wood for the bigger stove :msp_tongue: It's a good excuse to buy another saw
zogger
Tree Freak
You what buying a bigger and better brand new stove means....you going to be getting bigger wood to put in the bigger stove and your going to need a bigger saw to cut up the bigger wood for the bigger stove :msp_tongue: It's a good excuse to buy another saw
You left out, and a bigger better truck! Octocab, quad turbo, double dually diesel! Lifted!
Look how much you save burning wood....
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Had the same situation about 10 years ago, fireplace in a 1400 sq.ft. house. Wife and I shopped around and decided on an Avalon Ranier insert. Had it professionally installed with a stainless insert in the chimney. Don't have natural gas up here, and fuel oil is up to $4.19 a gallon for kerosene. We heat the house with it, furnace only fires when we are not home. Best decision we ever made. Also 20 lbs. slimmer from wood cutting & splitting.
