Wood Stove?

[redpoint]

I've always heard great things about Vermont Castings wood stoves. My parents have had one for 15 years and love it. Draws well, and burns well. The type of chimney is very important and you have to keep the chimney very clean. Even though my father was meticulous about his chimney, he did have a chimney fire once [the stainless stove pipe was connected to the existing clay flue]. After that, he had a stainless flue installed within the existing clay flue, which is apparently a better/safer system. He burns about 2.5 cords/winter.

 

[Bufford]

Sharpguy, those outside boilers are great when there is alot of space heating required. Large houses, and those with heated garages and shops as well as heated swimming pools are good candidates for the outside wood boiler.

These units work well with a large heat demand, but they are oversized for applications where only a modest sized home is heated. These units then smoke and belch and are not efficient at all, as they do not get a chance to reach proper operating temperature.

 

[kvaughn]

Make sure you get a building permit and inspection if it is required in your area. If you have a fire and damage and dont have the required approvals,your insurance may not pay up.--KV

 

[Alberta Ed]

Check with your insurance agent. A wood stove will likely cost you more in house insurance, and installation should be done by a licensed professional who also gets the required permits.

 

[rt014]

Anyone have any experience with those fans that you can buy and put on top of a wood burning stove and the heat from the stove makes the fan blades turn, helping to distribute the heat a little better?

If so, do you think they work well?

 

[hstdist]

Anyone have any experience with those fans that you can buy and put on top of a wood burning stove and the heat from the stove makes the fan blades turn, helping to distribute the heat a little better?

If so, do you think they work well?

We just put one on our stove. I feel it works. The area right near the stove is not as hot, it seems to spread the heat out. Wish I had gotten one earlier

 

[jw2n]

Get a catalog from Lehman's. They carry a wide range of both cooking and heating stoves, in addition to 1000s of other neat items. The stovetop fans require a certain heat range to work. You can determine if yours generates enough heat by placing an oven or candy thermometer on your stovetop.

 

[STR]

I put a Regency Wood Stove in our home some 17 years ago now. Its been the best thing we ever added to our home. They were great when we bought ours.
I hear the new stoves are much more restrictive and one gent told me if you want the ones that breath better to get the ones that cook as well as heat. Not sure if that is true or just hearsay. I'd look at both though and I highly recommend one with at least a two speed fan.

STR

 

[rt014]

We just put one on our stove. I feel it works. The area right near the stove is not as hot, it seems to spread the heat out. Wish I had gotten one earlier

Thanks for the input.....Where did you purchase yours?