Buck 94 insert?

We finally took a Saturday and went stove shopping, got a lot of info to process. I'm thinking of going with a Buck 94 insert to replace the Appalachian 52 we have now. It has a big firebox 4.4 cu ft, 8" flue which is what the 52 has and it has an ashpan. Any feedback on the 94?

 

I've been looking at a few inserts too. I believe there's at least one buck 94 insert owner on here. Do a search, I think you'll find him.

 

I'd get the 91 over the 94 any day.

 

Supposedly the usable space in the firebox measures 2.4 sqft. I'd measure before I buy.

 

I probably would have gone with a Buck but the 8" flue was a no go for me.

 

Does flue size relate to how long the burn time is?

I've got a 14x14 clay lined chimney for my existing fireplace, so the actual flue size isn't an issue for me.

 

The size of the box is more important, I looked into bucks when I was thinking of changing stoves and I would have gone with the 91 over the 94 too as someone above mentioned.

 

Is that because of the cat in the 91 over the secondary tubes in the 94? From the info I have it's the same stove.

 

That's why I preferred it, I've had a cat stove and now a hybrid and have been happy with both..

 

I have the 91 and just finishing the second winter, really like it. Not many reviews out there on the 94 but the ones I did find were not great. I wanted a cat stove so that made my decision but I looked pretty hard at both. Friend of mine just bought the 81 which is very similar to the 94 (tube stove) so far he likes it. He's on here some, goes by Dogwood.

 

Have you measured the cuft of it? Just curious.

 

The 91 is right at 3 cu.ft. but the 94 may have more since the absence of the cat shield may give the box more loadable height.

That's what I've seen. I've not run a 94 but I like the 91.

 

The dealers seem to push the 94 for some reason I never had a stove with tubes, the insert I have now has a cat and it heats good just time for an update while the house will be torn up for a remodel.Thanks to all for the input.

 

I agree the salesman that I had tried to push me toward the 94. I wasn't impressed with his knowledge of the stoves overall though. I just have to wonder if they have a bigger profit margin in the 94.....just something that crossed my mind.

 

It could be that they have more problems with customer complaints that buy the cat version and aren't familiar with cat stoves.

 

Both good points, I sorta liked the idea of the non cat, no cleaning and replacing the cat but I'm sure the air tubes burn out and need to be replaced as well.