DutchWest vs. Regency vs.Lopi vs Avalon vs. Lennox Country Collection
vs.Country Stoves. How different are they really, one from another?
Will really appreciate references to reviews, or personal
experiences. Thanks.

On Jan 25, 10:12*pm, Mybel wrote:
DutchWest vs. Regency vs.Lopi vs Avalon vs. Lennox Country Collection
vs.Country Stoves. * How different are they really, one from another?
Will really appreciate references to reviews, or personal
experiences. *Thanks.

Look for a unit with a BTU output no greater or less than your heating
needs. Look for unit with a lifetime warranty on the fire box
(Pacific Energy for example). Units with catalytic system burn more
efficently but the part needs to be replaced over time (could be up to
200.00). Non-catalytic units with a secondary burning system is almost
as good as the previous. I have a Jotul unit at home and a Vermount
Castings at the cabin. Both over 20 yrs old and like new. 2-3000
dollars per unit. Next door has a acorn unit the same age, good as new
for 1/2 the money.

Mybel wrote:
DutchWest vs. Regency vs.Lopi vs Avalon vs. Lennox Country Collection
vs.Country Stoves. How different are they really, one from another?
Will really appreciate references to reviews, or personal
experiences. Thanks.

I have a Lopi Leyden. Only had this a few months and don't know about
the others. I really like the top loading feature and the pull out
removable ash tray. The Leyden claims to take logs up to 21" but that is
hard to do. You can put in one log that size if the firebox is empty and
you put it through the front doors and work it in diagonal in the
firebox, but then any other wood has to be much smaller. Practical log
size is 16-18" (~7" max width) via the top load.
The top load works well unless the clothes dryer or range hood fan is on
,then I get some smoke in the house. I don't have an outside air intake
vent yet which may help.
The Leyden also claims a 12 hour burn time. After 12 hrs the stove will
be slightly warm to the touch with a few embers left but not enough to
restart the fire. Practical burn time is about 8-9 hours for me but I am
burning mostly cottonwood and some oak and pine.

Kevin

On Jan 25, 7:12*pm, Mybel wrote:
DutchWest vs. Regency vs.Lopi vs Avalon vs. Lennox Country Collection
vs.Country Stoves. * How different are they really, one from another?
Will really appreciate references to reviews, or personal
experiences. *Thanks.

I have a DutchWest and am very satisfied with it. However, I think
Jim's comment bears a lot of weight. My DutchWest is in my cabin and
is the smallest model they make. But it is still a little more than I
need for the size of the cabin, the result being that it often
overheats the cabin and I have to open a window. Not the heater's
fault, but mine for getting too big of a stove. I've found that being
selective with the wood I burn (lower btu) helps a lot with the
problem.

KC

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:19:07 -0800 (PST), jim
wrote:

[cut] I have a Jotul unit at home and a Vermount
Castings at the cabin. Both over 20 yrs old and like new. 2-3000
dollars per unit. Next door has a acorn unit the same age, good as new
for 1/2 the money.

I assume these are both free-standing units. If you were looking at
fireplace inserts, which manufacturer would you go with? Jotul makes
some impressive inserts that I've seen.

On Jan 26, 6:30*pm, KLS wrote:
On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 06:19:07 -0800 (PST), jim
wrote:

[cut] I have a Jotul unit at home and a Vermount
Castings at the cabin. Both over 20 yrs old and like new. 2-3000
dollars per unit. Next door has a acorn unit the same age, good as new
for 1/2 the money.

I assume these are both free-standing units. *If you were looking at
fireplace inserts, which manufacturer would you go with? *Jotul makes
some impressive inserts that I've seen.

My brother has a Pacific Energy insert - Vista Model. Wicked unit.
Lifetime on the fire box + blower. / glass wash system and he burns
low (smolder) all the time with very little in the liner come clean
out time.

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:44:41 -0800 (PST), jim
wrote:

I assume these are both free-standing units. *If you were looking at
fireplace inserts, which manufacturer would you go with? *Jotul makes
some impressive inserts that I've seen.

My brother has a Pacific Energy insert - Vista Model. Wicked unit.
Lifetime on the fire box + blower. / glass wash system and he burns
low (smolder) all the time with very little in the liner come clean
out time.

Interesting! This is a brand I haven't encountered, so I'll have to
check it out. Thanks for posting this.