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ATB
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 13:29
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I have a 12x16 cabin that just got finished a few weeks ago. I started putting insulation in and was thinking of going with propane to heat.
I slept in it right after it was done and it got down to 9 degrees F, I was fine temp wise with a Big Buddy heater on high and a double sleeping bag, other than when I had to get up to go to the bathroom (darn getting older!).
What I didnt like was the windows got wet and then froze and wet was dripping from the ceiling in the morning from the heater! I also had a sore throat.
So I looked into a vented propane heating unit and propane lights. Would this lessen or eliminate the moisture produced by propane?
Negative of this one too is theoretically I need to pull permits and get township inspections for any gas work done. I filed the proper paperwork for the shed but in theory not supposed to be sleeping in it so dont want any additional scrutiny there.
The permits made me look at a wood burning stove which I originally went against due to clearance from the wall taking up too much room and not burning through the night.
Sorry for the ramble, Summary I see it:
Vented Propane
PRO
easy on, easy off
thermostat controlled
no tending the fire or new logs at 3am
Easily filled source (versus me hauling wood)
CON
will need permits for piping
Cost of propane plus rental of tank (if cut my own trees down)
Moisture? (same with vented)
Safety
Wood Burning stove
PRO
Source I have woods all around me
Dryer heat
Stove included
Exercise splitting wood
CONS
Space taken for clearance needs
Wood cost if I choose to buy (i would burn all my downed stuff but not sure if I want to cut down the mature trees I have)
Need to maintain in the middle of the night
Safety?
I have 2 kids under the age of 11 and safety is most important. Please give me your insight from using these, add pros and cons to help me choose.
I am leaning wood burning with Big Buddy as a back up to avoid permit process.
Thanks for your help.
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old243
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 15:57
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I would go with the wood stove. Get your wood cut, so that it is nice and dry. Fill stove up before you go to bed at night. Then again when you are up , for the nature call. If you get a decent stove you will like it. Also don't try to burn green wood , you are just asking for trouble old 243
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skootamattaschmidty
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 17:06
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I agree with using the wood stove. We have an old antique stove that works perfect but not overly efficient. We have an abundant supply of wood but I do buy a small amount of seasoned hardwood each year to mix in with my mainly softwood. For the few times we go up in the winter this works perfect for us. My son who is now 17 has enjoyed sleeping on the couch beside the wood stove the past few years and he has done a good job of keeping the fire stoked during the night. When he's not there we just get it good and warm before bed and stoke it up. If we happen to wake up for a nature call, we stoke it again. If we don't wake up we wake up to a cool but not cold cabin and our bed keeps us toasty warm.
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 17:14
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I like the Kimberly Stove. Check out the videos on YouTube. It's expensive but I think it is a innovative wood stove perfect for a small area. I don't have one. I will as soon as we build our four season porch and they sell one with CSA approval.
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rockies
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 18:16
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I would say the kimberley stove as it is just about the smallest and most efficient I have seen so far. Or you could try an "indoor furnace" like the "Empyre Elite 100"
http://www.profab.org/products/profabproducts/elite/
This can be put in a small outbuilding and then heat all your domestic water, as well as radiant floor heating. Since it's indoors there's no worries about loading it in the rain or snow like an outdoor furnace, and there's no space wasted in a cabin, dirt, soot, ash, bugs etc from hauling wood inside. I like that you get all the free hot water you want from the same fire. You can even heat multiple buildings.
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lawnjocky
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 20:41
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I like wood burners, I seem to put them in everything, sailboats, cabins, trailers.... A good smallish stove is the Jotul 602. They come up on craigslist often. I picked one up for $200 a couple of years ago and put it in my livingroom. You can search a larger area on craigslist by using searchtempest.com. More expensive is the Sardine Stove. I put a Tiny Tot Stove in a sailboat I was living on and it was my only heat for three years. There is also the Sheepherder Stove which looks pretty nice as it is a cook stove with an oven. I think they are around $1000.
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vtbros
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 20:42
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We put a vented propane heater in a 12 by 16. It does the job but takes a long time to warm up. We usually throw on the big buddy also in the beginning. Convenience is great...takes up no space for summer which is when we use it the most, but I long for the comfort of a wood stove and not depending on propane for heat. See our thread 12 x 16 in northern tv. Good luck as it was a tough decision for us also. I also have young kids and safety was another factor.
Doug
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MI drew
Member
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# Posted: 31 Dec 2013 21:49
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Ours is 14x28. We have a ProCom blue flame direct vent. It does the job real well. I have used my big buddy as well and had the same issues. Don't really think the big buddy's were made to be 99% efficient. I do not have any of the same complaints with the blue flame. Run two CO detectors with one having an on demand readout with a max ppm memory. No issues. The only issue I have is when it's 65 downstairs... it's 75+ up in the lofts. This past Monday when we got here it was 19 in the cabin and 11 outside. Took 4 hours to get the downstairs to 65. Thought that was pretty good.
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GomerPile
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 09:16
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Wood stove like the Jotul 602 would heat your place easily. My 602 heats a 14x18 so hot I can't stand it. I do have lots of insulation so YMMV a bit.
Just took a pic of my setup from my easy chair...it's -2 outside and 75 inside  . My install is 36" wide and the hearth extends 46". The stove only sticks out 32" into the room. I'm using double wall pipe and class a chimney pipe. If I went to single wall pipe there's more heat to be extracted, I just don't need it.
If you are worried about overnight burns just have the Mr buddy as backup. The wood stove will keep the air dry enough to handle the excess humidity from it.
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Bertrn
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# Posted: 1 Jan 2014 23:05
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Go with a wood stove. I have a 5 & 10 year old and have never had a safety issue. You will have plenty of dead trees to burn without having to cut your mature trees if this is for occasional use. Get a wood stove with an outside air adapter or kit to allow combustion air to be drawn in from outside your cabin rather than having cold air infiltrate around windows, doors etc. Build a hearth like GomerPile to increase efficiency by allowing the brick to absorb heat and slowly release it during the night. You will avoid the permits, stay in shape, and save money on heating costs. You won't regret it.
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ATB
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jan 2014 08:20
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Thanks everyone, for your feedback. Does anyone have any concerns on the new EPA rules? I would hate to buy a stove then be forced to change over to a EPA "approved" stove?
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TODDE
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jan 2014 12:50
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I use a 20,000 btu vent free heater in my 12x24 shabin here in Minnesota without any issue. I did insulate well and used sheet foam for the roof area that is only r-11 but allows for space between sheeting and foam for air to move. Its been below zero every night I have stayed there this winter and no moisture issues. The whole inside is knotty pine so that adds an extra insulation value because its 3/4 inch thick. The only thing I can think of that may help in my case is I have power. I run a 54'' ceiling fan all the time to help keep the temp more even up in the loft. Hope you find something that works well for you! This is a photo of our layout.
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BaconCreek
Member
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# Posted: 2 Jan 2014 16:15
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We use the Big Buddy with the grill size tank outside. We also have a kerosene heater for back up. We use 2 different brands of CO2 detectors. We are warm and haven't had any moisture issues.
Our shabin is 12x24 and insulated. Even though we can have a cold winter in KY I can't bear to look at a woodstove in the hot summer months.
I also like the floor space the big Buddy allows.
Good Luck.
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GomerPile
Member
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# Posted: 3 Jan 2014 05:25 - Edited by: GomerPile
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I would be more worried about your local building department requiring a UL approved stove or other nonsense than the EPA.
Shop craigslist and you can find a jotul 602 for well less than 500 bucks. I paid 200 and had to replace the back plate for 125...so 325 total. I have seen the 602 listed for less than 325 (older models usually) so keep your eyes open.
Even if the EPA bans something....doubtful.....you only have a few hundred bucks invested.
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