Selfsufficientish.com

I will need to buy a wood heater very soon but the more i learn the less know what to buy.
I dont know about other parts of the world but here in the USA we have a "cat" and a "non cat" stove. From what i understand the cat is the best way to go because it burns less wood and the heat last longer, but it cost a little more. I think thats the way to go but what do you think? The one i am looking at is a Blaze king. I have never lived in the cold and this is a big deal to me so i want to get it right the first time. Thanks, Randy

I don't know what 'cat' means but from what you say it sounds like it would be the better option. Are there any American forums similar to this that you could ask the question on?

I would say buy the best you can afford, if you buy a more efficient stove you will either buy less wood or spend less time cutting it yourself. Either go for a brand with a good reputation or get a recommendation from a friend.

I personally like scandanavian stoves (say in preference over spanish ones) as they are built for colder climates and with tougher emissions laws in those countries they burn more efficiently. Perhaps you can apply the same logic to what is available your side?

theracedude wrote:I dont know about other parts of the world but here in the USA we have a "cat" and a "non cat" stove. From what i understand the cat is the best way to go because it burns less wood and the heat last longer, but it cost a little more. I think thats the way to go but what do you think?

To be hones I am not sure how a catalytic converter would affect the burn, as it is a pollutant filter and I would have thought more appropriate for a multi fuel stove, where you would burn coal and/or anthracite rather than just wood. But it may be a requirement under clean air laws where you live?

To buy the best most efficient stove for your circumstances you need to consider a few factors, how big is the space you are trying to heat, how well is it insulated and what building material is it constructed from, what are the BTU's (the heat output) of the stove, and will it cover the area you need to heat.

To answer these sorts of questions, you need to get a good supply company who have a good line of communication.

There are places on line that you can get equations from that you just fill in the information and it will tell you the appropriate BTU for your space.

You also need to consider your wood, what sort of wood do you have available, is it well seasoned hard woods or lighter faster burning woods, and what size does it come readily available in, you don't want to be stood outside in the cold, cutting 10 cms of the lengths to get them to fit in the stove!

Ask Balze king a few questions and see how they respond.

And yes I agree, when moving to a cold environment you want to be sure that you are making the right investment - it is an expensive thing to get wrong, so keep asking questions until you are satisfied.

Monika

I own a yeoman exmoor stove and is very good, not an idea about"CAT"? The stove i have has what is known as secondary combustion where the smoke and gases are heated via a small chamber and this reignites any unused gasses. Once up to temp there is no or very little smoke coming out of the chimney.

To be hones I am not sure how a catalytic converter would affect the burn, as it is a pollutant filter

Actually, a Catalytic converter regulates the chemical reaction, in this case a combustion of the wood.
But yes, is does effect the amount of pollutants: Carbon monoxide is formed by insufficient oxygen in a car engine or other combustion unit... a catalytic converter adds oxygen to create carbon dioxide, a relatively harmless more common variant.
In a burner, I think it refers to tubes running along the top of the main 'box' that recirculates the fumes, burning off combustibles in an appropriate heat, creating yet more energy, which would otherwise be lost up the Flue, well worth the while (and money!).

modern gas fires have catalytic converters too, for the CO/products of combustion

wow! you guys get it easy over the pond! 1500$ off! Thanks mister Obama! (shame our governement is on the verge of collapse...)
right, I'm liking the Blaze King... Up to a point... they seem to think an ash tray is optional!?
The fire bricks are a good idea, they'll radiate heat well... (looking at brochure here)
have a feeling they have forgotten an airflow regulator, but they talk about a thermostat, can't see it on the brochure... I would ask about that.
We have a Jøtul F600, works perfectly.
Whatever you do, get a freestanding one, they get less heat loss.

wolfsong wrote:wow! you guys get it easy over the pond! 1500$ off! Thanks mister Obama! (shame our governement is on the verge of collapse...)

You get 50% tax credit in France if you buy one from the list on the Flamme Verte site and have it installed by an artisan - we had a nice €1,000 off our Jotul.