Budget Cat Stove

Earlier in December, my oil furnace died and I replaced it with a new high efficiency Heat Pump deal. This is important for a firewood junkie like me because I now have a chimney available in the basement to hook to! The 6" chimney is already lined with a wood/coal rated SS liner.

I want to add another woodstove!

I have an old fisher in the garage, a non-cat Buck 74 in the living room, and I'm looking for something in the basement now that I have a chimney available.

If money wasn't a factor, I'd be signing on a Woodstock or Blaze King tomorrow. Unfortunately, my budget does not allow for the 3k stove right now. Additionally, the stove will be in a utility area so there is no need for "good looks". Heck, I don't even really need a window!

I am however looking for the longest burn time available out of a stove that is rated to heat somewhere around 2200sq ft. Is there such thing as a budget Catalytic stove? My cousin bought a Buck Stove Model 80 about 5 years ago for around $1250 (on-sale) and it is working tremendously for him. Unfortunately this unit is discontinued.

Worst case, I might buy a cheap-0 Home Depot stove and swap that with the 74 in the living room. The 74 is a tremendous heater, but it does require loading 3-4 times per day. Being that I'll be lugging wood downstairs, I'd prefer to load 1-2 times per day for similar heat.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Just buy the ugly BK princess. You'll get the 25% tax credit too. Downstairs on autopilot the BK's thermostat and controllable ultra long burn times means you can walk away from it and it will automatically maintain the output you choose. Sort of a safety device in my experience.

If you want cheaper and in a basement, the new EPA drolet furnaces are very automated, efficient, and really pretty cheap. You can duct the furnace to the living space or just let the hot air puke into the basement like a stove. Safety devices, automation, and not good looks.

 

I want to buy the Princess badly...... The wife won't let me =(.

 

Ah.... the old throw the Mrs. under the bus routine, huh?

 

Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission..... Just sayin

As we sit in front of our BK that has a super fired up cat reflecting off the inside of the door glass! She could care less what the stove looks like after using it for several years. We actually each took a peek at the Cat tonight. Easily impressed we are....

 

Haha works every time!



Seriously though, are there any other options?

 

No ideas for you on the cat stove as I had decided years ago not to get one. I like my NC-30 (I've posted about it enough times ) but I can not tell you the burn times on it as it is in a "workshop".

Highbeam papadave Chvymn99 chris bushpilot capetownkg are just a few owners of the NC30. Hopefully after being tagged, they can chime in about the burn times.

 

Not sure what to say about burn times for the 30, as I rarely try for long burns, almost never load it full, and burn softwoods.

That said, it keeps the house warm, and I would certainly look at the 32-NC if I were looking for a new budget stove.

32-NC

 

Englander says 14 hours for the 32-NC. That is found deep in the Q&A section of the Home Depot page,
Englander 2,400 sq. ft. EPA Certified Wood Stove-32-NC - The Home Depot

 

Not long. To keep it burning hot enough that it’s smoke free means pretty warm so 6-8 hours tops if your wood is ashy enough to slow it down.

This stove is a heater and wants to run. I have done multiple 3 hour full loads back to back with Doug fir.

 

This pretty much matches my experience, but I don't run in the "long burn" regime enough to answer with conviction.

I almost never load it to the gills, my normal load is probably 1/2 of what you might see in the Stove Tetris thread.

 

A lot depends on defining burn time- I typically load my 30 around 430am and do not get back until 600 pm or later- the bulk of that time the stove is doing its thing and keeping the lp or ng furnaces from running. They being set at apx 65F. mostly have enough coals to restart , sometimes still hot to the touch other just warm.

 

I installed a damper over my nc30 recently and temperatures are now cold enough to fully close it. With a full load of Doug fir, starting from cold, I easily had 2-3 splits of coals after 8 hours. Pretty low output but clean exhaust the whole time.

Now I have to decide if long and low keeps the shop warmer than hot and fast spurts. The concrete seems to get charged with heat when I overheat the barn for even a little while.

 

I am planning on moving far north in Colorado soon, and looking at the OPs post i see he said something about the Blaze King, i googled it and i am asking if anyone has bought one or has seen it being used by someone.
I have seen other stoves friends have but not the Blaze King.

 

Welcome to FHC firewoodbuckenman! I'm sure you will have some folks chime in soon, especially from the Blaze King fan club. Or if you'd like, you could start another thread to address all your questions...you might get more responses that way. I'm certain you will find this site extremely helpful and informative, I know I have. Again, welcome!

 

Highbeam has a Blaze King...

 

What’s wrong with going with a new and cheaper catalytic Buck stove?

 

Ok...I edited my post...because I don’t mean to talk bad about BK stoves. I’d like to have one. Do I think they’re built better than a Buck? No! Not even close. I’m talking steel thickness. So again, (Eckie caught me) so let the flames begin.

I would not hesitate to buy a new Buck stove. I also would not hesitate to modify it with a bi-metallic thermostat. CAT stove or tube stove.