We are considering installing a heat exchanger on our woodstove. We would like get your opinions about how well these work and were they worth the money. I have found one in the Northern Tool catalog For $119 for our 8" flue but haven't checked any where else yet. Would it be worth installing this when we can get a cord of wood for about the same price (once you add in shipping)? What manufacturer would you recommend? Thanks in advance for your help!

-- Cindy in NY (cjpopeck@worldnet.att.net), February 02, 2002

Answers

You get alot more heat from the stove. Personally I like them. The fans do tend to get noisy after a while tho. I put a stove pipe damper above mine for a little extra control.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), February 02, 2002.

Cindy,I have been looking at those to,there was a related thread about them a week or so ago and one guy said that one brand was better than the other as it had more heat exchanger tubes inside,you may want to look through the old threads,I believe it was the one that northern has that was better but am not sure.www.usstove.com also sells them.I see on the northern tool website that they are onsale right now for $99 although they are back ordered but you'd save $19.I will try to find that thread but I remember a few people said they liked them and could keep less of a fire going with the extra heat the unit added.we are going to try one next year.Take care.Dave

-- Dave (duckthis1@maqs.net), February 02, 2002.

Before you get it, check into Sotts double stacker drum kit, and see if you couldnt adapt a 30 or 55 drum to be suspended above your stove. The kit is less than half of the exchanger you are talking about, can be made to function as an oven (welding reqd...by welding a chamber inside the upper drum with a door), and uses no electric. It ought to throw lots of heat! Tractor suppy often carries them, I think they run about 45 to 55 bucks, drums not included.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 03, 2002.