Experience Requested (PE Summit vs Woodstock's PH or IS)

Looking for anyone that has used the Pacific Energy Summit and then switched to a Woodstock PH or IS. We are using the Summit right now and need to run it pretty hard below 10 degrees outside. By hard I mean reloading on a bed of coals and having trouble burning the coals down. I would like to switch to one of Woodstock's stoves, but they are not rated quite as high on top end BTUs as the Summit is. I am thinking that with the hybrid I can run a steadier temp and not need the top end heat from the Summit. Any advice is welcome.

 

Can't figure out how to edit my original title. Trying to get (PE Summit vs Woodstock's PH or IS) in the title line.

 

Yea, any staff can edit a title for you. I will edit it shortly.

 

OhioStihl

 

The IS is known to build up the coals as well. Some of us are opening the ash door a bit (or engineering an adjustable slide....) to burn them down.

 

Title edited. Sorry it took so long.

 

Thanks Grizzly Adam and Backwoods Savage.

 

Did someone call my name?

Yes, I have a Pacific Energy T6 Alderlea ( same firebox as a Summit ) in the basement and a Woodstock Progress Hybrid as my main heater. The T6 was my primary at my previous house and one year at my current house.

I do admit that I am an ash pan snob. I grew up with Vermont Casting stoves and really like having an ash pan. Having the ash pan on the PH helps manage any coaling issues. I have not operated a PH without an ash pan so I can't speak for that configuration.

The T6 will coal and not put out the heat I prefer. The temp swings down as the coals burn down then I load it back up and get the temp up again. With the PH the coals get raked toward the glass where the air inlet is. I close the door and the coals glow bright red and burn down, sometimes with a slight increase in temp. The PH is very user friendly in regards to ash and coal management.

Pertaining to btu output, the PH has always felt hotter than the T6. Somewhere on the forum I read that the temperature on the soapstone stoves might read lower but have a hotter feel. I was skeptical till I got the PH. It will throw out the heat. The T6 has served me well, the PH surpassed the T6 performance and also my expectations.

 

This thread is about installing the T6 in the basement and there is also some comparisons between the T6 and the Progress Hybrid.
T6 install in basement. Any words of wisedom are welcome. | Page 2 | Firewood Hoarders Club

 

The coaling issue is caused more by moisture content, draft, and the air setting. I added chimney height, opened the air a bit more and have 3 year firewood. I don't have near the coaling issues I had last year. I ALWAYS have plenty of coals left for my reload either way.

 

Thanks for the reply. That is what I was looking for. The Summit is rated for 90,000 BTU but I don't feel like that we burn it that hot, the problem that we have trouble keeping the house warm while burning down the coals enough to make room for another reload.
But that is not the real problem, the real thing is we just want a Woodstock Hybrid. ..... haha. But I wanted to make sure that it could provide the same amount or more heat over the span of the day without needing to burn at 90,000 BTUs.

 

The wood is dry, 4 years CSS, 26 foot chimney, and if we open the air to much we are getting the stove too hot and still have to many coals at the back to get a good reload on.
Really just wanting to move to a Woodstock hybrid though.

 

You will be pleased.

 

Go for it. They have a 6 month guarantee. If you don't like it send it back for a full refund.

 

There is a good chance that we will take advantage of the sale this spring. Just have to see how the money holds out. Haha.. Not sure how the 6 month user experience guarantee will work if we get it in June. Lol.....

 

I made payments on mine long before I got it. That way I didn't have to pay it all at once. Plus they weren't in production yet.

 

You have until Dec 31st of the year you buy the stove. They say this some where on the website but when you call they will tell you this as well.