In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

The wife has been nagging me

Discussion in 'Modern EPA Stoves and Fireplaces' started by HammerheadC4, Sep 21, 2015.

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  1. HammerheadC4

    HammerheadC4

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    I had pulled out my smoke dragon last week to clean it up, (sanded and painted it.)
    Every day she's been telling me to get a new stove, first it was a NC 30, now a Ideal Steel.

    Last year was my first season burning wood since the 70's. ( had the stove over twenty years, just installed it)
    I have about 6 cords less than 15% and 6 cords around 20%
    We heat a 1200 sq ft Raised Ranch from the finished basement...the smoke dragon kept upstairs the nice and warm last winter.

    I don't know what to do...keep the Smoke Dragon, get the NC 30 or the IS.
    I'm sure either new stove would do the job.
    All the posts I read about the IS....I had wanted one, but golf's thread about the creosote leak has made me cautious.
    A lot of people love the stove and the company, but to me, 6 to 8 weeks to rectify the situation...in the dead of winter, is not good......even so, I am considering an IS.

    The wife never touches the stove, she would just like to see me spend less time tending one.

    What would you get? the NC 30 or the IS.
     
    HammerheadC4, Sep 21, 2015
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  2. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    My IS heats my home

    Also, there are other cat stoves out there that might work for you if you are not sold on the NC30.
     
    wildwest, Sep 21, 2015
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    My IS heats my home and papadave like this.
  3. JA600L

    JA600L

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    The creosote stain really doesn't mean much when you compare it to the many happy owners and huge success of the first year production launch. If you buy the Ideal Steel you will be very happy with it. It is well built. The catalyst does a great job of burning at a very low rate if you don't need much heat at times.

    The NC30 is also a good option with lots of success. It offers less low end control and a slightly more peaked burn.

    If you can afford $2000 the Ideal Steel offers serious bang for your buck. You would have the most success saving wood with a cat or hybrid stove.
     
    JA600L, Sep 21, 2015
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  4. Locust Post

    Locust Post

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    I've never burnt either but if those are your only 2 choices I have to say Ideal Steel.
     
    Locust Post, Sep 21, 2015
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  5. papadave

    papadave

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    I love my NC30, but if I had my druthers, I'd get a cat stove with a thermostat. Oh, and gooder insulation.
    My druthers might be on the way within a year or 2.
     
    papadave, Sep 21, 2015
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  6. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    I just realized we have not discussed that he will still burn less wood in an NC30 with the secondary tubes verses his old smoke dragon.

    Also HammerheadC4 , what size pipe do you have now? If you plan to keep using it that could be a starting point on narrowing down brands and models....
     
    wildwest, Sep 21, 2015
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  7. papadave

    papadave

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    That was my plan, but it hasn't really panned out as expected. There are a couple of circumstances which may be keeping me from burning less that have nothing to do with the stove, though.
    It is however, more controllable, and absolutely burns MUCH cleaner.
     
    papadave, Sep 21, 2015
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  8. wildwest

    wildwest Moderator

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    Record cold and snowy winters?
     
    wildwest, Sep 21, 2015
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  9. papadave

    papadave

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    Right where I want to be.
    That's one.:)
     
    papadave, Sep 21, 2015
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  10. papadave

    papadave

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    If the budget stops at somewhere around $2000, get the IS.
    If you want to save more money, get the NC30.
    I'm extremely glad I got the 30, but if I'd had more money at the time, I'd have gotten a completely different stove.
    Remember, it's something you may have for 20-30 years (if you want, because there's no good reason for it to not last that long), so divide the cost by all those years.
    Might help make up your mind.
     
    papadave, Sep 21, 2015
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  11. HDRock

    HDRock

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    How long does it take to get an Ideal Steel ?
     
    HDRock, Sep 21, 2015
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  12. HammerheadC4

    HammerheadC4

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    I have a 6 inch SS chimney...I think it's 17 FT. I just installed it last year. The wall clearances and hearth would work for either stove.
    I did take a couple hour break from splitting and stacking Saturday afternoon, went to my local dealer, looked at Regency, Harman and HearthStone stoves.
    I think the Englander and the IS are the best bang for the buck.
    The Englander is 10 miles away and the IS is 170 miles. (I don't mind driving to get one)
    Woodstock said the lead time for a stove is about 2 weeks.
     
    HammerheadC4, Sep 21, 2015
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  13. HammerheadC4

    HammerheadC4

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    The cost of the IS is no problem.
    Good idea on dividing cost by years.
     
    HammerheadC4, Sep 21, 2015
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  14. ChuckinMichigan

    ChuckinMichigan Banned

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    Get the progress hybrid. bigger is always better. :thumbs:;):D
     
    ChuckinMichigan, Sep 21, 2015
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  15. HDRock

    HDRock

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    That's not bad
     
    HDRock, Sep 21, 2015
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  16. HDRock

    HDRock

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    I'm confused
    Progress Hybrid, Large Firebox (2.8 cu.ft)
    Ideal Steel Huge Firebox (3.2 cu ft)
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2015
    HDRock, Sep 21, 2015
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  17. Gark

    Gark

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    I never burned in an NC30 so can't compare it to our IS. We started burning in a smoke dragon (Fisher Papa), put in an EPA cat stove (VC Encore 2550 cat). From the Fisher to the Encore was a world of difference, but that VC was finicky. Going from the VC to the Ideal Steel was another world of difference. Better heat, control, less wood used and longer burn time. Awesome light show if you so choose. Simple enough. I vote for the IS.
     
    Gark, Sep 21, 2015
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  18. JA600L

    JA600L

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    Yes, The Ideal Steel is a larger firebox and should burn longer. The Progress Hybrid claims a higher output. I figure they probably run pretty close to each other.
     
    JA600L, Sep 21, 2015
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  19. Fanatical1

    Fanatical1

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    You won't be disappointed with the Woodstock Ideal Steel.... Of course there's lots of other good options out there.

    Feel free to reach out to me if you want to talk about it. :)
     
    Fanatical1, Sep 21, 2015
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  20. ChuckinMichigan

    ChuckinMichigan Banned

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    Yeah, but...but....but... It's purdier! :rofl: :lol::p:emb::);)

    That ideal Steel looks like.... well, a stove. :emb:

    The Progress Hybrid is a work of craftsmanship art. IMHO... :smoke::)
     
    ChuckinMichigan, Sep 21, 2015
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