looking to replace my wood stove

[TLR15]

I've not been 100% satisfied with the Vermont Casting Vigilant I've been running at my camp the last few years. I'm not a fan of the topload and I can't get a full night's burn out of it. The front doors are all but useless to use while a fire is going.
I will say that the output is fine for my camp, a 20'x30' story and a half with 10' walls.

So I've been researching a replacement. Here's my criteria in the order of importance.

-It has to have a flat top for cooking/warming food. We frequently use it for that.
-It needs to heat our 1200 sf camp without breathing hard and it should keep producing heat for 8 hrs minimum. I'm thinking in the 70K BTU/hr range.
-The Vigilant uses an 8" stove pipe. I won't replace the existing stovepipe and I have no experience with using a reducer. I'm assuming that they're OK. If not I need to find a stove with an 8" flue.

I'm looking at used stoves only. I have no problem with running a classic if it meets my needs.

Any opinions on stove models is welcome. Also I found a Fisher Little Bear for sale cheap locally. I've read good things about them. Anyone have one?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[mbohuntr]

We had a fisher Mama Bear and LOVED it. Heated the bulk of an old farm house w/ it. I would own another in a heartbeat.

 

[areid]

As a Wett certified wood stove installer in Canada I have installed hundreds of stoves and the best stove bar none is the Blaze King King or princess models. They are catalytic stoves meaning they burn efficiently at 450 degrees while other stoves must be at 650 degrees to achieve the same efficiency. The burn time can be 24- 40 hours depending upon the wood. Look them up.
Aulden@borderhi.com

 

[TLR15]

Areid, thanks for that tip. I will check them out. Do you see a problem with running a 6" stove through an 8" pipe?

 

[areid]

The larger the pipe the lower the draft. Also the manufacturer of the stove will sometimes have specific rules that prohibits what you are suggesting. Of course you are suggesting a reducer at the flue pipe adapter and not physically running a smaller chimney inside a larger one I trust.

 

[TomSeller]

We had a fisher Mama Bear and LOVED it. Heated the bulk of an old farm house w/ it. I would own another in a heartbeat.

Ditto. Probably 30 years as the primary source of heat.

 

[oosik]

I used a Lopi for years here at the house. Flat top for cooking, and a load of pine would last all night.

 

[adirondackmtnman]

***duplicate post***

 

[adirondackmtnman]

Probably out of your price range for a camp, but our Hearthstone soapstone stove has been a great performer. Lasts all night and then some. We cook on it whenever the power is out, which is rather frequently for us. Ours has a 6" out, but I would have to consult the manual as to whether they would recommend a reducer to a larger pipe.

 

[TLR15]

The larger the pipe the lower the draft. Also the manufacturer of the stove will sometimes have specific rules that prohibits what you are suggesting. Of course you are suggesting a reducer at the flue pipe adapter and not physically running a smaller chimney inside a larger one I trust.

Yes, I was talking about running a reducer. Is it not ok to actually run 6" pipe up through it?

 

[newbury]

Have you looked into a "rocket mass" style stove?

They seem to be an up and coming thing.

 

[TLR15]

I'm familiar with them. I would definitely consider that design for an outbuilding but inside the house, a conventional wood stove better fits my needs.

 

[QueBota]

Woodstock Soapstone Fireview here, may be some less expensive stoves, I can't complain about mine. Nice heat, good burn time, nice looking stove. Plus, they give old fashioned customer service. If you ever call with a question or problem their initial response is always "What can we do to help". Shame, but customer service appears to be becoming a thing of the past.

Fireview


Q

 

[BethelHntr]

Another vote for blaze king.

 

[Looking4new]

Regency 2600 here upstairs and to dry out the basement a 2400.

 

[sd455dan]

Another vote for blaze king.

+ 1 for a Princess, Blaze King- I think the( King) model will be overkill...

 

[vwnotrunning]

We had a Buck stove for several years, it was triple walled, fan in back would draw air in through the outer space then back through the inner space to discharge out the front. I would consider a used Buck stove. Last I checked Buck stoves are out of business or at least no local dealers. Presently we heat with a Hearthstone soapstone. Not as quick to produce heat as the Buck was but dies burn longer and radiates heat after the fire dies down. The Hearthstone in much more efficient.

 

[Latakia]

fireview woodstock soapstone for the last 15 years - the only heat in a 2100 sq ft house. love it and the company customer service is excellent!

 

[joeyd]

Another vote for Woodstock Soapstone stoves. We have the Fireview also and couldn't be happier with the stove. Starting our 7th year with it as our primary winter heat source and have never had to call customer service. It is good to know they have excellent service if I need it.