need wood burning stove opinions

[NotInThecity]

We had a non-catalytic Jotul wood stove. Loved it. Purchased the non-catalytic version because we didn't want the yearly maintenance/replacement of the catalytic part. They are heavy cast iron. Heated very well. Loaded it once in the morning and once in the evening and it would heat all day/night. Still have good coals at the end of the day or the next morning.

 

[Laurajean]

I have a Lopi. My house is pretty small, and this is a somewhat small unit. Says it takes 16" logs, but really 12" are better for it. That being said though, it was a good value and works great.

 

[Crazy4mypeeps]

We bought one of these: http://www.englanderstoves.com/28-3500.html

Didn't even fill the propane tank this past year. Here's a picture of ours installed. It ducts directly into the plenum on our propane furnace and heat is distributed through the existing vents in each room.

We love it. It takes 24" logs, which is about all my scrawny arms can handle. LOL

 

[dacjohns]

When I lived in NM I had a Lopi, loved it. Now I have a Dutchwest, I like it.

I would suggest get the best stove you can afford. Soapstone is nice because it holds the heat. If you can't afford soapstone get heavy duty construction with firebrick lining. Look at ease of cleaning out the ash, ease of loading, size of the firebox, non-catalytic (just something else to worry about replacing in the future). If you get the outside type it means less mess in the house but you have to worry about ductwork in the house. The outside ones might also pollute more. Another benefit of the outside type is less wood cutting, they take larger pieces of firewood.

Don't forget to consider what is available in your area and who is going to install it.

 

[NGT ANGL]

We have a soapstone and love it. It heats well and has saved us greatly on our electricity bills. The only mistake that we made was to go with the recommended size for the living area of our home. If we had it to do over, we would have purchased a stove that was rated to heat a larger area so that the firebox would be larger and we would not have to feed it as often. From what I have heard, the outside units are terrific as well.

 

[Hoss1975]

My outdoor wood boiler heats the house,3 barns,a little barn for calves in the winter,also provides our hot water.I also rigged it up to an old stream powered generator so when we have power outages i have power.I fill it once a day and it burns for 24 hours.

 

[key west chick]

Thanks for all the replies so far. We are looking at a small house, about 1500 sq feet. The land we are hoping to get is 13 acres of all woods, most hardwoods. It would be a shame to waste some much so DH started thinking about wood heat. I love potbellies but he's not really interested in them.

 

[Crazy4mypeeps]

Whatever you decide to put in, you will enjoy the heat from wood.