Thinking about an ESW NC30 or Drolet HT2000 or similar????

I am thinking about upgrading some old wood burners here. I have two pellet stoves and a Woodmaster 5500 I am content with. I just can't justify replacing the OWB yet.

That said I am looking for a dependable cheaper wood stove that is easier on wood use and has a long burn times. BK's and some other high dollar units >> I know are the cats meow, but once I get into the $3K range or so I'd just go the extra money and I would be looking at replacing the OWB. Not sure I'm ready for a cat stove either. I have old split and seasoned wood so no issue there. I already have the water lines and system set up with the OWB and could just replace the Woodmaster but I am just not ready to spend the big bucks just yet and not sure what I'd replace it with now anyway.

That said, I have kind of narrowed it down to the two mentioned above depending on which I can get a better deal on at the time. I have read great reviews of both so sell me on one or the other. I do kind of favor the NC-30 because it has an OAK hook up for outside air. Not sure if the HT 2000 has one or is it possible to do one? I am a fan of OAKs so no need to debate that issue but also do not HAVE to have one with the new wood stove.

I am also open to other suggestions. I need as big of a wood stove and fire box as possible for the least cash layout for now. Best bang for the buck. Looking to do a 2,350 SQ FT two story. The P68 does it nicely but I also want a cord wood option and back up not requiring electric. Is the NC-30 offered in an insert that I could ditch the Lopi for? All it does now is fill a hole but I also have another good location for a free standing and I prefer them. At this point I'm ready to pull the Lopi and balloon the clay liner anyway but I leave it just in case for back up emergeny heat. I might dig into options with my big field stone wall of a hearth to for a free standing anyway but I am not doing it if I have to alter it much.

Pellets are still very easy to get at a reasonable price around here and simple to deal with. Just found another place currently selling Somersets at $214 per ton. However, I have a bunch of wood and would like to go that route when my schedule and time justifies it saving pellets. I also may not use either the pellet stove nor the new wood stove IF I can justify firing the OWB and it stays real cold for periods of time. The old OWB is great but she's a hungry old pig. Not real bad when it's real cold though as I would be burning a lot more then anyway. Pellets and / or wood.

Looking to add another option here is all. Maybe climb out of the cave and try one of these more efficient stoves and hopefully save some wood too. The weather here is goofy and they say if you don't like it stick around 5 minutes. It will change. The last several winters were brutally and consistently cold. As cold and if not colder than many up north. This year has been gentle thus far. It was 70 yesterday and into the 60's today.

So what I am looking for is input on NC-30's (or same with different name), the Drolet HT2000, or anything else similar with a larger fire box and as long as possible burn times. What do you have? What are realistic no fluff burn times? Pros and cons? etc; What are you heating SQ FT wise on how many cords per year? Where I was beaten was non-stop feeding of the OWB and the oodles of cord wood it takes to do so. It makes me hate wood burning if I use it all season. 8-12 cords depending on the weather. I am usually 8-10 max but have seen up to 12.

The wife and I work full time and we have three kids so time for wood processing is limited nowadays. 4-6 cords per year no big deal. Doubling that is simply not feasible. My house is pretty well insulated R-19 walls 2x6 and heats pretty well with good air flow. I do have a bunch of big windows and glass doors with higher vaulted ceilings but not an issue really. When we down size I am building a barndominium with plenty of pole barn space but a much smaller living space.

Sorry for the life story but did it so you all have an idea what I'm dealing with. I like wood heat and have done it for a long time. 20 years plus until the fall of 2014. At that time I was hating it. No time for it etc; So I am looking at getting back to the basics somewhat or at least have a serious set of heating options. BTW, I have a heat pump central HVAC system. Good and cost effective for cooling. Heating is another matter. It sucks for that and costs way too much to run around the house bundled up. Here it is like paying big for an abusive slap in the face. Not good and I refuse to heat that way even in the shoulder seasons.

Thank You All and have some Happy & Safe Holidays!

 

I have a 30 sitting in the garage, so nothing I can provide there other than it look nice.

The 30 can still be had for $649 plus $99 shipping. Englander NC-30 $649 | Firewood Hoarders Club. That is a deal that is hard to beat. You could also consider the new "Madison" from Englander, there is an ongoing thread about that one England Stove Works Model #: 50-SHSSW01 | Firewood Hoarders Club. It is a little more, but still a "value" stove, and has some interesting upgrades. Depends on whether you want tried and true or the latest.

Greg

 

Sounds like you've almost talked yourself into the 30, hard to beat that $649 deal at HD. I don't think the Drolet comes with a blower if that matters to you.

I heat ~3000 sqft. 800 of that is half of the unfinished but insulated basement where the stove is, then two floors of living space above. My house is very tight with average insulation for Maine. I burn 6-7 cords a year, 80-90% of which is spruce.

 

Thanks for the links and I have seen the smaller Summers Heat Madison version at my local Lowe's for $749 too. It seems smaller than what I've read about firebox size on the NC-30's. I am sure the hearth requirements help some but where I am going with it here (both options) I already have a non combustible situations.

Unless there is a bigger new style that I could look into I think I'll stay tried and true tech. Although the only difference is the smart mechanism which is pretty simple and wouldn't be much to replace if it goes bad. Probably wouldn't need it if it did fail and could still run the stove anyway. I think it's more of a bells and whistles convenience thing but power windows are nice to have until you have to replace the window regulators. I'm perfectly content with cheap crankers in some instances.

I agree the HD $649 deal is great! Where is the current location to order online? I really prefer to pick up at the store on my time frame but I could also have one shipped to a buddy's business with docks and tow motors. I am in no hurry and could wait until spring or summer no problem. Would that be better? I also get a 10% veteran discount at Lowe's all the time even on top of sale prices and other discounts so that might work to my advantage. HD is not as generous with veteran discounts but they did give me 10% without hesitation on an expensive tool purchase before and all I did was ask about veterans discount and mentioned I always get 10% at Lowe's.

I see the other options you and WW the discount guru have an angle on. Thanks. Every little bit helps. I more than likely will not be buying anything until Feb. anyway so I can buy it and park it where it goes and be done. I do have plenty of storage space but also plenty of things stored too so I try to avoid that. Plus the wife will ride me if I drop the cash and have another pole barn or garage decoration not being used. I'm not a pack rat but things do tend to pile up here or there. Mainly because I have a lot of inside storage space around here which is nice but can be a double edged sword.

I am leaning towards the NC-30 for reasons stated plus it is less than the Drolet. But they are also building a brand new huge Menards 20 minutes away that opens this spring so they may have some sweet deals then. I drove 50-60 minutes and just visited my 1st Menards in northern Cincinnati this past Monday. WOW! is all I can say. It'll be dangerous and awesome having one so close real soon.

I may not wait and go ahead with the NC-30 just because that's how I can be. I'll piddle around for a few and then it's just time to be done with it. If I could score one for $649 I'll just pull the trigger. Simple enough and a great enough deal.

I appreciate the input and help and I do prefer to buy Made in the USA but I also will cross boarders when it is in my best interest. For example after extensive research and some good advice I decided to go big money for the Harman. Glad I did too. Wood stoves are an entirely different animal though and not all the electronics and moving parts. Even the simplest pellet stoves are much more complex than any wood stove. Therefore I could justify laying out more for a dependable and easy to deal with stove in the regard. I stay busy and me and a high maintenance pellet stove would not have gotten along very well.

I see several zip codes of stores for the $649 deal but will I have to start a new search after the 1st of the year? Realistically I will not be buying until late January at the earliest. At that point will it be best to wait it out until the end of Feb. and look for some get'em gone deals? Then the Spring grand opening sale possibilities at Menards are in the back of my mind too. What to do...... What to do....... I do like good deals. Who doesn't?

 

If you want the $649 deal, there is no time like the present, and no place like Durango! I cannot speculate on how long it will run, when and where it will be repeated, etc. Who knows, perhaps they will try to clear their inventory in the Spring, with the new stoves coming out, and there may be a better deal? But maybe not. The current deal is good enough for me.

The drop ship from the factory, not from Durango. My wife ran my truck to the end of the drive (1/4 mile), and they set it from their truck into the back of mine. Easy peasy.

Greg

 

I don't regret my nc30. Heat my 1800sf shop with 14' ceilings with it. It is the biggest noncat I could find at a very good price. That puppy will sit at 700 for hours.

 

The 30 is the biggest bang for the buck. You can't get a larger stove cheaper than the 30.

How is your insulation? A 30 in a poorly insulated home will struggle to heat that much space in your area.

Nope. No insert option available.

Burn times depend upon your location, your floor plan, and your insulation. Packed tight with hardwood, the 30 can still have surface temps of over 200 degrees 14-16 hours later. Realistically, again with a tightly packed firebox, you can expect temps of 300+ degrees for about 8 hours with a tightly packed stove. 400+ degrees for about 5+ hours, 600+ degrees for 3-4 hours.

Pros: Simple to use. Get up to temp quickly. Best bang for your buck for the amount of heat it can produce. 6" exhaust.
Con: Not as efficient as a cat stove. A Blaze King or a Woodstock beats the hell out of the 30 when it comes to maintaining temps for longer periods of time. But, you are looking at 4-5 times the cost.

Good. The 30 might work well for you.

If you get the 30, purchase the larger fan. It is a LOT quieter and moves a LOT more air. Huge improvement over the smaller fan that it comes with.

 

Thanks BrowningBAR!
I have been reading up and looking at larger stoves. Your input has been helpful and greatly appreciated as well as others here. My biggest concern is the burn times holding out for no 3-4 AM reloads and / or waking up inside a cold house every morning. I am way done and past the 4 hour burn times. Those poor times are for rookies or highly motivated wood chuckers. Been there done that.

I'd like a Blaze King but just not ready to spring that amount for another wood burners...... Yet. I have many other projects and priorities with my cash presently. I do not have problems paying for what works well and great quality but I also want to move back into the wood heat thing cautiously. Buying another new wood stove is also something I need to get the wife back onboard with. She is why I went the pellet stove route which has worked very well.

That said, I am sure she would be fine with a nice wood stove too if I make it easier for her like all you have to do is stack this many logs in at these intervals and have said wood neatly stacked close by. I have room for that both inside and out which is a plus.

I do like the fact that the NC-30 and like units with step brother names (lol!) have an OAK. The pellet stoves have really educated and sold me on that. I know all about air pressure and exchange rates but never truly experienced an OAK's benefits until I installed them on my pellet stoves. I am a firm believer. SOLD!

I get that they are not absolutely necessary but I also know the benefits far out weigh the small expense and effort to install. They work well for me here. That's for sure and this is where I am favoring the NC-30 over the HT 2000 thus far. That and the NC-30 costs less even without the $649 sale price deal which I have not located yet. I am in no hurry and will wait out the best deal. Menards did run a good deal on the HT 2000 right before X-Mas but that is gone now too. The Ht 2000 is still a contender even without the OAK option.

Are there any other large firebox stoves at all? I know BK has some and some other higher end stoves. What is the largest firebox out there in a free standing wood stove regardless of brand or costs? Who makes the biggest wood stove? Thanks

 

The $649 deal is still going at Home Depot, Bags . See my post at the top, it still works (I just checked).

 

Another factor in favor of the NC30: it rates as very low particulate emissions, while the Drolet is pushing the limit with the new EPA regs.

 

OK, Thanks I'll try it again. Last time it wouldn't come up for me. Maybe I did something wrong. I'll re-read your post and check it out.

 

I'm coach surfing and holding down the fort today. Cruddy weather and cold and New years so I'm taking some time off. Anyway, Greg I went to the HD site and plugged in Durango, CO for my store. The NC-30 is $999. It comes up as $999 every time I do it. I did switch my store (Florence, KY store #2306) to the Durango store #1534 where Russel D. is the manager. Every HD location I try it's $999. I re-read your entire linked post also. I see you just recently landed your deal not long ago.

What am i missing or doing wrong? Is there some special discount code at check out that changes the price? I can not get it for anything less than $999. I wonder if this deal pops up for certain locations even though you plug in Durango for your store. The 1,800 SQ FT Englander shows up for $649 but that is not the NC-30.

I believe you when you say you just checked and the NC-30 is still $649 plus shipping and taxes etc; I am lost here as to why it will not show up on the Durango store for me at that price. Any suggestions or other things to do? I have no idea why I can only get the $999 price. That's the same as my local HD price.

I still think your old Dodge truck is cool. You just don't see many old trucks in any type of decent shape here unless someone has spent big $$ and restored one. They are out there but not very common. Here the salted roads can destroy cars and trucks.

 

For some reason or other it prices out at $999 no matter which store I list including Durango. What am I doing wrong. Just checked it again for about the 10th time. I've taken it all the way to check out too. HD has oodles of great reviews of this stove too.

 

Here is what I got just now (11:13 PST 12/31/2015):



If you are not getting the same deal, try clearing your cookies, try another browser, try another computer, etc. Make sure the store is 1534, and make sure you are not signed in.

Greg

 

Thanks, Greg! I'll keep trying and do what you have suggested. ,,,,,,,,,,,, Finally got it to come up for the $649! Thanks Again! Now I just have to get it OK'ed with the boss lady and get one ordered. hope this will still be there for a few. Might be just a bit before I pull the trigger. I've pretty much so settled on this particular stove and like the smooth simple design of the Englander vs. Summers Heat version etc;

 

Hey Bags , here is another option for a factory blem, $689 delivered.

Timber Ridge 50-TNC13 Wood Stove, and will Free Freight to terminal for pick up

Edit: oops, that's a 13, sorry.

 

Thanks but I need the big dog. The 13's are also nice but too small for what I want and need. I did see a Madison version at my local Lowe's and IIRC it was $749. Nice stove and from looking at pics and comparing the same version in the 2,400 SQ FT stove is very similar to the NC-30. Basically I believe it is the same stove except it sits up higher on a taller pedestal with the same size fire box.

That and it offers the smart start deal and a larger ash pan. The hearth requirements are also only spark and ember which is not an issue here but I can see that being a big plus for some reducing the need for a hearth and / or additional time and expense to configure one.

The newer smart stove version of the 2,400 SQ FT is listed at $899 and $100 cheaper at Lowe's than the Summers Heat SNC-30. Probably they are offering it cheaper to get the newer models sold and out there. I get a 10% veterans discount at Lowe's at all times and even on top of other discounts and sales.

I am kinda in a wait and see what shakes out situation here. I do really like the NC-30 at the $649 plus tax and $99 shipping. That is just a great deal. But me being a practical fool I am just not ready to rush in and pull the trigger. I will but still need to stew on it.

So the Durango deal would equate out like this for me: $649 + .o6% tax of $38.94 + $99 shipping = $786.94 for the NC-30

The same size newer style Madison works out like this: $899 - 10% vet discount = $809.10 + .o6% tax = $857.65 so $70.71 more

$70 bucks is $70 bucks but is it worth the newer tech? I like the tried and true but from what I gather ESW has worked out the open door start ups with the "smart set" and also the smoke rolling out that some may experience which I am not bothered by anyway. i feel much of that is the donkey yanking the door open wrong anyway.

Also I am wondering about printing off the Durango deal another HD offers and going to my local HD and ask why they can not match it. Has anyone tried that? If they would get one in and sell it store pick up for $649 then that would knock off $99 bucks. What makes me question that is how can one HD offer the NC-30 at that $649 and others can not. Makes no sense and I'm sure shipping from VA to CO is more than from VA to KY.

The above scenario would be $649 + .06% price of $687.94 out the door. Hard to beat that! Might be worth asking about.

The other option I do not want to leave on the table is the possibility of the "smart" version going on sale this spring at Lowe's for let's say $100 off = $799 - my 10% bringing that in at $719.90 OTD. A local pick up would be easier and better for me but I could also do the truck delivery but would have to work it out.

Tough call! But I am the type that will kick the dead dog for a bit and then get tired of over thinking it and just get it done.

 

When I got my NC-30 from home depot, I got them to knock 50 bucks off......then I asked em, how come I can order the stove from HD in Durango CO. for 649 + 100 shipping to my door?
He said the best he could do was take 100 bucks off....so I ended up buying it. IT cost me 50 bucks more than getting it shipped.
This was a deal from the night manager....the day manager would not budge on the price of the stove. So I guess it depends on who you talk to at HD.
I am very happy with the NC-30

 

That is strange, but not something you'll probably ever get an answer to.
Summers Heat, Timber Ridge, and Englander are all exactly the same stove (30NC). Might be a little trim piece on one or another somewhere, but otherwise identical.

That's exactly the deal I got on mine almost 2 years ago.
They ship from the ESW factory or warehouse in Virginia (I think it's Virginia), not the individual store.

 

Oh, and I kicked the he.....ll outta the dead dog/horse before finally getting mine.