I can't do it. i just can't do the analysis on ANOTHER house decision. Please help me pick out a gas

M

marilynfl

Moderator
freestanding fireplace for the corner of the living room.

I was originally going with a Vermont Caster wood burning stove (heat if the elecricity goes out, ability to cook on it), but have since scared myself out of that due to the scary threat of "chimney fires". Since I won't be there all the time and since I'll be letting family members use it, I've decide to go with a propane gas fireplace for right now...that way folks can just show up and turn it on, rather than dreg up childhood memories of Boy/Girl Scout camping and the trials and tribulation of building a fire using damp twigs and branches just to earn a stupid badge.

Vermont Caster can be bought in the future when I'm up there and comfortable that I won't burn the house down.

At this point, I was hoping "Consumer Digest" or "Consumer Reports" would just give a list of fireplaces to pick from, but I can't find that information anywhere.

House area is ~1,000 square feet.

I'm getting weary of all this.

 
Is this a heat source or decorative?

Personally, if you have a chimney sweep come once a year (more/less depending on how much wood you go through) that would (has) put an end to any thought of fire for me.

 
Decorative...although I wouldn't mind if there was some "get around the loss of

electricity with a manual pilot light" option.

I'm definitely going to switch over to wood at some point...I've got a boatload in the property around me. But for right now, I don't want to be in a panic about someone shoving too much wood in there.

 
We have had a Woostock Soapstone wood stove in our living room now for, oh, probably 20 years. . .

We have the Fireview. Our house is abou 1700 sq. ft. and we move warm air around with 2 fans. Keeps the slab warm. We could cook on the top if we wanted to; there is room enough. Our stove vents out our existing chimney.

I agree with the chimney sweep statement above--just get'r-done yearly and don't burn green wood and you will be fine.

Husband can runs our stove like a champ. Makes a fire "just big enough" which is a job to be learned with any wood stove .It retains heat and once it is heated up, does not need much fuel to keep it going. It is a nice, radiant heat and even when it is too hot in the room it feels good (this does not happen much any more as my husband runs if like it is an art.


You would probably be happy with a smaller one than the Fireview, like the Keystone or Palladian.

http://www.woodstove.com/

 
Those look wonderful...

Mar,

The thing I'd be concerned with would be paying for a completely different type of install/venting/etc. between the 2 stove options - and how much gas would cost to run it. My thought is if you want a wood stove, I'd pay for it once and be done with it. I think with some more info (and sounds like the above would be a good source) they can help you get a better handle on what that all would entail. Also, you can always teach/leave detailed instructions/or make it off limits to visitors.

Another route would be to simply put it out to bid, contact a few companies, give them an overview of what you are looking for/information you need to make a decision and tell them the best info/price/customer service/etc will win the bid for your business.

 
we have a natural gas stove that heats our cabin, about 1400 sq ft. it's on thermostat

and works like a furnace---on/off by the temp. when the power goes out, the stove still lights, just no thermostat control or blowers. works like a charm. it might be a Napolean, but I'm not there to check. Bill says he wants to convert eventually to wood----WHY??? not for this girl. like my clean burning gas stove just fine. wood is for the fire pit.

 
and get the ceiling fans to move the heat, no matter what you choose.

they also help move the air in damp weather too. we keep ours going on low all the time, even when we are gone.

 
Geeze Marilyn, you could have a stove in Florida. . .

you just wouldn't use it all that much! With the winter we are having in Southern California right now, we aren't using our much. Currently about 72-75º F, no breeze, clear skies and the birds are singin' their hearts out.

 
Just curious. Fan on for an extended time? or just when you are shopping? I totally agree re: gas

stove. Love them... Previous house had them. They are great, economical w/ heat, and a pleasure to see. And if you are like me, w/ asthma / allergies, they are a pleasure! (I have trouble with wood burning fireplaces)

When do you use your ceiling fans?

 
we keep the fan going on lowest setting all the time. even now when we are gone weeks at a time.

keeps the air moving and we think it helps with moisture and heat distribution.

 
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