Best stove to sit and watch flames

Hello fellow Firewood Hoarder’s. The wife & I ( mostly I) are considering purchasing a woodstove to put in our basement where our old stove used to be to sit by & enjoy watching the flames while relaxing. We have a Heatmaster gasifier heating our house so we aren’t looking for additional heat as much as ambiance. You know better than watching tv, computer etc. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Style that you like?

 

One with a glass door or front that fits your install requirements.

 

I guess I'm not married to any particular style. I like the look of the Jotul 600 I also like the look of the Vermont Castings Vigilant & Defiant. The Woodstock Keystone looks decent as well. Definitely want glass for viewing!

 

Pretty much any of these would fit the bill...free shipping too.
Wood, Pellet and Camp Stoves

 

PE alderlea could work too then.

In the end you have to decide how big of a firebox you need (not too small but not too big either, unless you like to be cooked), then narrow to window size, and then to other aesthetics.

So, for a basement only, a smallish stove would work, unless it's not insulated and there is good airflow to the next floor.

But if ambiance in the basement is the biggest issue, don't go above 2 cu ft, would be my guess.

 

Totally agree with stoveliker!

When I was stove shopping two years ago, I too wanted a beautiful stove, but, unlike you, I depended on it for 100% of my heating need. I was steered towards the Hearthstone Heritage soapstone stove. I literally loved everything about it, it was beautiful to look at and the fire viewing was amazing. It checked all my boxes, EXCEPT, it could not heat my house!

For what you described your requirements to be, I would highly recommend that stove to you. Sounds like all you want is a beautiful conversation piece "stove" to give you a fire show, burn a couple hours till bedtime and then go out. You're not concerned about heating the room. The Heritage will definitely throw some heat for awhile, the show is the best part.

 

My Absolute Steel gives some good fire action, if I'm running it not cut back for a "longer" burn. What I consider "direct flame" of the wood for lots of bright fire, or if cut back some, awesome secondaries or ghost flames. Some highly technical terms there....

Depending on basement size etc, the AS may be a bit big. My buddies Fireview looks good too. But if all you want it see some fire and you're not worried about burn tines or how the stove burns (cat etc), you could find much cheaper options.

 

We have a Lopi Liberty. Nice stove. Big glass. Wish we'd had it when we were at our old farm for 13 years. The Fisher stove then put out a lot of heat, but so does the Liberty... and you get to watch that beeeyooiful fire!

 

I agree with the Lopi liberty. Huge viewing glass. Beautiful stove to kick back relax and just watch.

 

I'm not familiar with the Lopi brands, never seen one of their stoves in action. On my Blaze King 40, to keep my glass clean and "viewable", I have to burn it blazing hot consistently, essentially with the stat wide open. As soon as I turn it down, glass hazes over, a whole day on low, it's totally black. For heat output though it's absolutely amazing. I tried burning very small hot fires for awhile, and it worked, but I've kinda gone back to full loads and hazy glass. Temps outside have been pretty cold, so the glass is staying somewhat clean.

How clean does the glass on the Lopi Liberty stay on a low/medium burn? Doesn't sound like OP will be burning much above low as it's only wanted for aesthetics.

 

Thank you for all the replies! A lot of great information. I really like the looks of the Hearthstone stoves but i've ready a few negative reviews on them. I will have to look into the Lopi stoves. I have a friend who purchased a Woodstock Fireview about a year ago & seems more than happy with it. i don't care much for the look of the fireview but they may be worth considering. The Hearthstone Manchester is visually appealing.

 

"How clean does the glass on the Lopi Liberty stay on a low/medium burn?"[/QUOTE]

Hotter the better. It'll dirty up around the edges a little over time. (Maybe they all do?) I use a small window razor blade scraper. Cleans right up quick.

 

I would think the Mansfield would be a nice pick. It has the capacity to pump out the heat if you want it to, or, just some small fires with a couple 2 to 3 inch splits, and you'll have a nice show.

 

Must apply to most stoves. Definitely applies to mine!

 

Your BK is a cat stove. Tube stoves keep the glass cleaner.

 

Have a much better light show too (in general)

 

Woodstock Ideal Steel....huge glass window in door.

 

Check out the Pacific Energy stoves, they have air wash technology that pushes air down across the glass keeping it fairly clean and clear and are also very serious heaters. PE stoves are very efficient for non cat stoves and with nice sized glass that stays clean for long periods it is great for those who like to view what's going on inside the firebox. I rarely get any black on my glass and if I do its often because Im not doing things right. I will occasionally wipe it with a damp paper towel when it cools off as it does get a film on the glass after awhile.

 

One of the things that sets PE apart is that they are one of the very few that regulate both the primary and secondary air in unison...seems to make them more efficient. Most tube stoves have fixed secondary air.