Which Wood Stove Would You Buy? and Why?

[nu2solar]

My husband and I have narrowed down our choices to 2 different stoves for our off grid house.

The Arbor Cast Iron Stove by Avalon and

The Harmon Oakwood Cast Iron Stove

Does anyone know anything about these 2 stoves? Please share.

Thank you,
Lisa

[Windy in Kansas]

Since you asked which wood stove I would buy--neither since my area has limited access to firewood cutting. If you know the right person and can get cutting rights--okay.

As a result my choice would be a grain burning unit since I could easily grow my own replacement fuel each year. While there are pellet stoves that also burn corn I would instead opt for one that has the capability of burning small grains as they produce better in my area during years of less rainfall.

Currently however I would be better off selling the wheat or other grain and using the money to buy a gaseous fuel.

My goal is to build a home so weather tight and well insulated and with solar applications that buying such a small amount of fuel of need isn't even an issue.

[neolady]

Since you asked, I'd pick neither. I'd go with the Blaze King - King Classic. If you are planning on going off grid, one thing you should likely take a serious look at is the size of the firebox, and the King has one of the largest on the market. The larger the firebox, the less loading you will need to do, and if required, you can generate greater amount of heat. I don't see where you are located, but if you are in a location with cold winters, that large firebox will make a big difference.

[nu2solar]

Thanks for the responses,

We are in the east TN mountains. We are building a solar and wind generated(no electric) berm house, covered by earth on 3 sides. We are not too concerned with heating because our inside temps will stay consistant. We will also have a propane fireplace for heating.

The stove is just a back up in case there is ever a problem with propane. If you want to see what we are building you can check it out at:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tenne...tennessee.html

Lisa

[Silvercreek Farmer]

I am not familiar with either stoves, and I have seen a lot of stoves, with out ever seeing either of them, I am not sure of their quality, but there are plenty of bad stoves on the market. Jotul and the forementioned blaze king are generally considered quality units.

[Wisconsin Ann]

I'm not personally familiar with either stove, either, but I found this conversation about the Harmon on another site, perhaps it will help a bit
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...027236875.html

[Buttermilk]

For the house I have an air tight Fisher Insert. It is fire brick lined. I don't know if they are still made. I also have a water stove that is in a building out side.A pump sends the hot water thru a radiator in the furnace that circulates the hot air to all the rooms. I also have solar panels that helps heat the water. Central N.C.

[seedspreader]

I would avoid cast iron, personally. A welded steel stove with firebrick will out last a cast iron stove. Cast iron has a tendency to crack. Whether it comes from overheating, moving the stove, or a quick temperature change, cast iron is brittle.

[Cabin Fever]

All new woodburning stoves are required to use devices that reduce air emissions. It either stove has a ceramic catalyst, I'd pass on it. Look for a stove that uses secondary combustion to reduce emissions.

[ET1 SS]

We bought and use a 2 barrel stove.

Two 55-gallon drums laid on their sides, attached with cast iron legs, fittings, door, and damper.

It is rated at 200Kbtu.

Wrapped with copper tubing our stove heats water for our radiant heated floor.

I lined the bottom barrel with kiln clay [refractory cement] so that it lasts a long time. So far it has lasted two seasons.

I got the barrels free at a local twinkie factory. the cast iron fittings cost about $100.

I modified our stove, to use the upper barrel as a secondary combustion chamber, to make it more efficient.

[Beeman]

Never heard of either stove, but I've not been in the stove market for years. I have a Vermont Castings Defiant Encore which we've been very pleased with. Never had any problems with the cast except for weight when we moved it to this house.
Are these stoves carried by a dealer near you?

[farmmaid]

We have had 5 Vermont Castings stoves in different houses and a cabin...wouldn't have anything but them. We are in up-state NY.

[woodsrunner]

I'd find out which stove had a reliable dealer nearest me. Then I'd snoop around to make sure he'll still be in business in 5 years. Castings crack, steel stoves eventually burn through or warp, Parts do break, and if it has catalyst it needs changing every now and then.

Then I'd buy what ever brand that guy sold.


Like cabin fever said, secondary combustion is preferable to catalyst.

One thing about a cast stove. When castings break, they can be unbolted and a new one bolted in. When I was a kid growing up dad had several steel stoves, one was a fisher, not cheap stoves. They still warped eventually and lost thier air tightness. And being welded the warped parts couldn't be swapped out. Then he went to a green enameled Vermont Castings stove. Eventually a log got thrown in too hard and the end casting cracked. The stove still burned fine while he waited out the casting arriving. Though it wasn't airtight. When the casting came in the green enamel had been discontinued, but the plain blacked casting bolted right in. It didn't matter because the way the stove was situated, it couldn't be seen anyhow.

[celticfalcon]

we have a pendellton,made by avalon.no complaints.
tom