Last Updated: August 2017
The Ponderosa is a powerhouse of stove that packs a punch when it comes to heating capacity, but still maintains a relatively lightweight price point. Let’s take a closer look at this incredible feature set.
Key Features
- Heating Capacity: 2,600 – 3,200 sq feet
- EPA Certified: Yes
- Log Capacity: 22’
- Burn Time: 8-14 hours
- BTUs: 152,000
- Weight: 400 lb
- Model #: TR007
- Non Catalytic
What We Like
✔Heat Ouptut: This is the most powerful stove we have ever reviewed on the site. With the power to heat a small home and a large firebox capable of holding 30lb of wood, the Ponderosa is truly a powerhouse. It is worth noting that unless you follow the burning directions as laid out in the user’s manual, you will not get the same results. As one reviewer put it, even if you have been burning wood all your life you still need to read the manual.
✔Design: The front door is made from cast iron, and there is a large viewing window made from ceramic glass. This provides a perfect view into the ever changing flame patterns that natural wood stoves create. Additionally, there is functional design such as an adjustable blower (CFM 100-150) and removable ash tray. The blower helps circulate hot air around the house, and thus facilitates faster warming. The ash tray makes cleaning up after a fire much easier, because you simply sweep ashes into the tray and dispose of them.
✔Efficiency: Even with all this power there is still an excellent 82% efficiency rating and even mobile home approval. The average burn time is 8 to 14 hours. This level of burn time, heat output, and efficiency require solid understanding of operating the adjustable draft levers on the front of the stove. Operational instructions are laid out in the manual, as mentioned above, but we cannot stress enough how important it is to read them if you expect peak performance and efficiency
What We Don’t Like
There’s not much to dislike about this stove, because many of the errors are due to users who don’t read the manual or those who don’t understand you need to “cure” your stove. Curing means letting it burn 2-3 times outside while all the oils in the interior/exterior paints are “off gassed.” This process can be done indoors as well, just make sure the room is heavily ventilated.
✖Blower:The blower that is included is not that helpful at circulating the hot air. We would recommend a non electric stove top heat fan. These are relatively inexpensive, and don’t require any turning on/off or maintenance.
✖Certain Supplies Not Included:The main gripe with this stove is the lack of a stovepipe/chimney pipe. To be honest, this is a problem with other stoves as well, but it is worth pointing out.
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Final Thoughts
If you need maximum heating power for a larger space and are willing to put some time in to learn how to properly operate the stove then the Vogelzang TR007 Ponderosa is the right stove for you. It’s blend of power and efficiency make it one of the best stoves of 2017.