Ashley Hearth AGC500VFBLP Vent-Free Black Enameled Porcelain Cast Iron Stove, 31,000 BTUs (Propane)

When you spend this much money on something it should arrive perfect. It came with a chip on the top, package ok. No way to contact anyone, just able to choose return or replace, which is pretty ridiculous considering the item. Rather have spoken to a product rep.

I live in AZ at 2100 elevation. My house is 2000 sq feet with a 800 sf great room w/12 ft ceilings. My kitchen is open to the great room and is prob 150 sq ft with 10 ft ceilings. I have this stove installed in the great room: I bought it two years ago and this will be my third winter using it. This stove heats both rooms very well. I use the stove exclusively to heat - using my electric heat pump only to keep the house at 60F while I am at work. I wasn't sure if I would be happy with the pilot light as I was concerned it would waste propane - however, the pilot actually adds a little heat to the room while the stove is off. I have had no problems with the pilot staying lit and there are safeguards in place if it goes out for some reason. I ordered a remote that was advertised as a remote/thermostat. Turns out they meant it was a remote with a thermometer. Already installed (that was a cinch) so I just am living without it controlling the temperature. It is nice to be able to turn the stove off and on easily. I have a six foot ceiling fan in the great room that I leave on the low setting to help circulate the heat. I'm looking into a blower for this unit. The unit is set up for a blower, but US Stoves tells me there is not one available for it. I'm looking into aftermarket. Looks like it is a cinch to get one and hook it up - just not sure about the installation bracket required and how it would attach to the stove. Easy situation, I think, just haven't gotten around to doing it and the stove actually works pretty well without it - I just believe it will help move the air throughout the room. This is a perfect scenario for me as I like my bedrooms cool and, due to the layout of my house, the heat really does not migrate into the bedrooms much. Win, win! I would highly recommend this stove. I would recommend you shop around and be aware of post purchase price-matching. I was able to get a reimbursement from the seller as I found it significantly cheaper about 2 weeks after my purchase. Mine is a red stove - there is a slight color change from the side panels to the front panel. It's not enough to bother me, as the color slightly changes due to the heat after some use, anyway -not significant, but it's a little change - so if you are very picky I would suggest getting the black stove. Oh, and if you are wondering about propane usage: I have a propane cooktop and tankless water heater. Between those and the fireplace, I go through about 150 gal of propane every 10 months, (250 gal tank = 200 gals plus 20% for pressurization and I fill at 20% residual.) In my area of AZ, we get two or three weeks of frozen mornings - anywhere between 25F and 30F.) Hope this helps!