IS or PH dilemma

OK so here goes...we are getting a new stove to better suit our heating needs in this old house. Our Fireview can keep up until we get into the low 30's and then it needs help from the furnace. We have had some feedback on both stoves so are still undecided on a new stove. We like the "feel" of the soapstone heat and wondered since the ISO is a steel stove how the stove heat felt. We like the simplicity of the matainance of the cat on the IS but are unsure on the front loading since we are use to the sideloading on our Fireview. We are budgeted for both stoves so cost is not a factor. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Paging Machria this is all you! and who else?

 

Thanks for your reply Backwoods and have learned a lot from reading your posts on the importance of well seasoned firewood. Already been a two year plus season member and are slowly moving to the three year plan. Our one concern with the PH was the frequent cat maintenance with owners having a 30+ foot chimney which we have. We switched from a steel cat which clogged a lot in our FV 201 to a ceramic cat which has never needed cleaning. I do not know if I would like to have to clean the cat on the PH evey 2-3 weeks like some members have stated they have had to do.

 

Here is my 2 cents. I love the look of the Progress Hybrid. Amazing stove.

Do you want soft heat? I don't know how well that works in a big drafty house.

A steel stove tends to move heat faster and stronger.

Either stove will be good. The Ideal Steel has more low end control which might help that tall chimney situation. When I called Woodstock and told them my situation, they recommended I go with the Ideal Steel. I am heating from an insulated basement so they felt I would get better heat movement, burn times, etc.. with steel. If you want to burn the stove in full cat mode (I do a lot) the Ideal Steel gives you more ability to do that. I'm always up for saving wood.

I would call and talk with them about the structure of your house and see what they recommend.

Also, if you wanted to describe your floor plan and square footage, we would all be happy to discuss that further.

 

How much heat you get into your house depends on how much wood is burned per unit time, and how much heat is lost up the chimney. I heat a 3,600 sq. ft house with a Durango stove equipped with a Heat-Booster. Only 10% of heat is lost up the chimney. A draft-booster is used to compensate for lower flue gas temperature (~220°F).

 

I guess my main question is how does the heat from the IS feel compared to a soapstone stove. IMO there is a difference in a steel stove and soapstone stove heat. I know the IS has some soapstone. Both the PH and IS put out the high btu's that I am looking for. Our floorplan is a 125 year old drafty victorian house. I can move the heat around to where we need it. We like the feel of our FV heat so that is why we initially picked the PH. If the IS is better for us than we will go with that.

 

True. There are other elements too though. Like convection vs radiant. Not to mention the amount of air coming into the house through burn rate. That's why I like to burn low and slow to avoid a lot of air inftration.

 

I think you will love either one. The IS has its advantages in performance, capacity, cost, and customization. The PH gives a nice steady heat with burn characteristics similar to the IS. The IS can fit more wood and burn lower. The PH looks absolutely stunning. The IS looks great, but some find it unappealing too.

 

Do you have any clearance issues with the IS? Since it's front loading I'm betting the front hearth clearance is higher than the FV.
I'm not sure what to say about the PH cat cleanings. Yes, the steel cat has clogged even on my 16 foot flue. I tend to check it every 3 weeks or so, but it's really not that hard to do and I would not let that force a decision.

The PH is a heating beast but also does well with a small shoulder season fire. I upgraded from the FV to the Progress to get more heat and longer burn time, and am very happy. In the end I bought another stove to heat the other end of the house but the PH is the main stove and based on everything I have read about the IS (user experiences) I feel it was the right decision for me.

I especially appreciate the higher peak output (vs the FV and IS) for our cold snaps, but I still get terrific burn times.

 

One thing to remember on PH. the frame is steel too, and lined with soapstone and the legs and frame are iron. So, that puppy will put out the HEAT!

 

I have no experience with the IS except what I read here, and I witnessed it in person burning in Woodstocks showroom last winter when I visited them on way home from skiing. I can tell you I immediately felt the different of the heat coming off the IS compared to my PH. From 6' away, the IS's heat could be felt very strong, and you can tell exactly where it was (aka what direction the heat is coming from). On the PH, you will feel that heat, but it would be much more difficult to tell where the heat was coming from (if your eyes were closed...). Somebody else mentioned this yesterday on a different PH thread, and it's a good example of the difference between steel and soap.

As far as cleaning the CAT, 2 years ago I had to clean it twice the entire winter, about in the middle of winter and then in the spring. Takes 5 minutes, just remove it, brush it off, blow it out, and slip back in. Once a year I give it a vinegar bath to re-activate the substrate on it. Last year I needed to clean it about 4 times, about once a month. No idea why, different wood, different conditions out, CAT getting older, burned more, all of those.... ?? Who knows. But it's not really an issue for me at all. You want to shut the stove down and check things out every now and then anyway to be sure all is ok, that is the time I do it.

Some folks like the look if the IS, I really don't. It's kinda cool to be able to customize it, but it looks a bit to industrial for my taste as with most of the steel stoves. On the other hand, the PH is a work of art you have to see in person to appreciate. Then add in what it does (throws off TONS of heat while sipping wood!), and it's hard to beat if you ask me. But I'm biased on the subject of course!

 

Just another opinion. You can not go wrong with either. I had an old soapstone lined steel stove before my Fireview and I can tell you they do the job just fine. The PH puts out incredible heat when you need it, much more than the Fireview, so either will heat your home nicely. I'd worry front loading/clearance issue if there is any, and if not, just go with what you like design/looks wise.

There isn't a wrong answer.

 

Another thought- Since either will work for you, I would imagine the PH would look fantastic in an old Victorian.

 

Thank you all for your replies, opinions and advice. My initial pick is the PH for the looks, the side loading, the feel of the soapstone heat and I just think it is a really cool stove. No disrespect to the IS, I think it is a top notch stove too from a great company. I guess it comes down to personal taste. I will take one PH with the plinth base, brown metallic color. I am placing my order today and will follow up with install pics for all to see. Thanks again for all of your help.

 

Congratulations! Either way you couldn't go wrong so you made the right choice!

 

Cool! Looking forward to the pictures, as I am quite PH fanboy.

 

FYI - Just got off the phone with WS - plinth base never made it to production. Only short leg option.

 

I guess that means you don't want an ashpan. Too bad, the ashpan is great.