Which home wood heater should I get?

[Hefty]

Lol, no but I have a goat skin! Maybe I could stretch it real thin and cover the whole floor.

Seriously though, apart from brands, are there any particular features that people consider really important eg cast iron firebox or welded steel? Fire brick lined or (I don't even remember what other materials they use for this)?

I know down south they are a necessity and up here it's just a luxury but we're on a camping forum where one thing that is talked about a lot is sitting around a fire. Why shouldn't I want one in my home? Therefore, if I'm gonna spend the money, I thought I'd ask those in the know what they recommend.

Cheers!
Jono.

[scarps]

Lol, no but I have a goat skin!

Cheers!
Jono.

you're kidding me, right?

[Kangaron]

If it floats your boat, look for a grill on top for heat transfer,
some only have a thin covering plate.
We leave a 5L kettle on it all day and it does the toast etc in the mornings.
But if you have little ones your ideas might differ.

[steppenwolf]

An obscure boutique called Bunnings has, from time to time, great deals on all sorts of imported heaters. No doubt lots of other similar places do as well. BUT - and it's a REALLY BIG BUT - usually they are single shipments from overseas suppliers. Once that shipment goes, that's it. In 3-4 years time, when the whatsit collapses/breaks/rusts out/disintegrates, it's mate, they're all gone, no, we don't carry spare parts. Then you're back getting a great deal on an imported heater ....

We replaced a massive Irish peat-burner slow combustion stove after a couple of decades with a wood heater that was AUSTRALIAN MADE. Not just out of patriotism, but so we had a bit of a chance of getting parts and service down the track. We got a NECTRE from South Australia because they looked to have the widest distributorship, ie best chance of staying in business. Great phone advice, including honest assessment. (We got the "Baker's Oven" and the bloke on the phone said "The thermometer? Hopeless! Ignore it and just experiment!" which saved us a heap of wood and worry) and pretty bulletproof build. Sure there are plenty of good Aussie choices out there. 

[bmak]

I work for one of the leading Australian manufacturers and I say buy Australian.

The others are just not worth the hassle.

Although there is an import that's an identical copy to one of ours and seems to be good I wouldn't trust it long term.

[kylarama]

Is Coonara still around? 

I had a built in one in my last place that could incinerate the loungeroom with very little wood. Big heater, small room.
Current house has a big Coonara freestander that was installed when the house was built in 85.  Only thing I've ever had to touch on it is the rope door seal.

[Brumbypt]

when u do buy one, get ya self some welding gloves. great for picking and moving logs when putting them in so no splinters. And perfect for moving wood around when hot, thats if you have to to keep the fire burning well.

The wife will use them lots, we don't use those poker sticks, broom sets. tried them in the past and they don't last long. Unless you get the old forged type.

Anyway, welding gloves.


Peter,
sent by telegram stop

[bmak]

Yes coonara is still around. Different manufacturer to when yours was built but same heater

[Hefty]

when u do buy one, get ya self some welding gloves. great for picking and moving logs when putting them in so no splinters. And perfect for moving wood around when hot, thats if you have to to keep the fire burning well.

The wife will use them lots, we don't use those poker sticks, broom sets. tried them in the past and they don't last long. Unless you get the old forged type.

Anyway, welding gloves.


Peter,
sent by telegram stop

Thanks Peter! That's a nice little tip. I do the same already with camp ovens so, yes, I think I'll do the same inside.

Cheers!
Jono.

[WilSurf]

I have put in the order to install the Regency Alterra.
Can't wait to have a nice wood fre in the hpuse giving us nice warmth.

[WilSurf]

Heater has been installed and tested.

[Bunyip]

Looks great.

[GraemeL]

Lol, no but I have a goat skin! Maybe I could stretch it real thin and cover the whole floor.

Seriously though, apart from brands, are there any particular features that people consider really important eg cast iron firebox or welded steel? Fire brick lined or (I don't even remember what other materials they use for this)?

I know down south they are a necessity and up here it's just a luxury but we're on a camping forum where one thing that is talked about a lot is sitting around a fire. Why shouldn't I want one in my home? Therefore, if I'm gonna spend the money, I thought I'd ask those in the know what they recommend.

Cheers!
Jono.

I would also like to know what to look for when buying one. We have just bought a house that has reverse cycle as the heating, I'm not made of money and don't want to be paying a fortune in elec bills so I am also looking at buying a wood heater.

But there are so many with to many different build options etc it's a bloody nightmare.

So if someone could tell us what we should be looking for it would be appreciated.

[WilSurf]

I think the important question is: how many square meters do you need/want to heat?

[GraemeL]

230 sqm for me, I would like to know what the different materials are and what should I look out for when buying one.

[Hairs]

Sorry to drag up an old thread 
We purchased a Jotul NO3,second hand a few months ago.
This heater really suits our lounge room and timber throughout our home.

The flue didn't come with it,  just the fire box(All parts are there), So I need to get a flue made, buy a Dektite Silicone for it.
Just wondering what the Australian Standards are for installation.
EG, distance from wall, other measurements and materials to be used.
I tried Google, it would appear to be a council thing 

[Rodt]

It was at least three years ago when i installed one in a previous house but i thing the distance from the wall etc is a manufacturer's thing and not councils. I was advised at the time that it had a bigger impact on your insurance if one was found installed too close to a wall and there was a fire (regardless of the cause). From memory mine had to be at least 35 - 40cm away unless there were heat resistant tiles on the wall.

Rod

[Rumpig]

pretty sure the distances are usually mentioned by the manufacturer as already mentioned, here's a link to the specs of one very similiar to what we have in our lounge room http://mrstoves.com.au/wood-heater/westcott-3000-radiant-wood-heater.html

[Hairs]

G'day Rod,
Yeah, I was told today it had to be installed by a license plumber or your insurance will wipe ya as well.
I guess I'll ask a plumber on Monday at work.
Having it 400mm from the wall, with a rear flue( out through the wall because there are solar panels on the roof and the flue/chimney will need to exit up through the veranda's roof), besides there is a bloody truss smack dang where the flue needs to go.
Yeah, sounds weird, but there is no other way of doing it   

Hey Rumpig, thanks for the link 

[Rumpig]

This mob look like an agent for Jotul in NSW, maybe contact them for more accurate details regarding clearances http://www.hawkesburyheating.com.au/jutul

[Hairs]

This mob look like an agent for Jotul in NSW, maybe contact them for more accurate details regarding clearances http://www.hawkesburyheating.com.au/jutul

Again, Thank you Mate for your help and the links.

[Snapman007]

I luv my pov old school recycled washer open fire.

There's a 6.2m glass door fully open letting the heat into the house. Sitting outside watching the footy with the sounds crankin, luv motley crew. Crocs and singlet is to warm

[MarkGU]

I luv my pov old school recycled washer open fire.

There's a 6.2m glass door fully open letting the heat into the house. Sitting outside watching the footy with the sounds crankin, luv motley crew. Crocs and singlet is to warm

you in crocs and a singlet is the stuff nighmares are made of   

[shanegtr]

I would also like to know what to look for when buying one. We have just bought a house that has reverse cycle as the heating, I'm not made of money and don't want to be paying a fortune in elec bills so I am also looking at buying a wood heater.

But there are so many with to many different build options etc it's a bloody nightmare.

So if someone could tell us what we should be looking for it would be appreciated.

Spend the $$$ on house solar panels to offset the electricity consumption. Reverse cycle A/C is more effecient at heating and better for the enviroment

[Snapman007]

Mark, sorry to wreck it for ya but I'm also wearing traky daks.