Forge & Flame Pathfinder P43

The Forge & Flame Pathfinder P43 is rated to heat 1,150–2,250 sq ft, which suits a smaller home or a main living area. It's built on Harman technology, listed in its manual as the Harman P43-C, and it's the smallest Pathfinder, so look at the Pathfinder P61 if you need more heat.

In Room Temp mode, a Room Sensing Probe controls the fire: the P43 lights itself when the room calls for heat, levels off as it nears your setting, and can let the fire go out and re-ignite automatically. Constant Burn mode instead holds one steady output no matter the room temperature.

The standard hopper holds 50 lb, and the optional 21-inch hopper extension takes it to 105 lb. The P43 is approved for wood pellets only, and the manual warns that pellets longer than 1-1/2 inches can cause inconsistent feeding and ignition.

Not on house power alone, because its combustion blower stops and exhaust can seep into the room. The approved TrippLite INTERNET750U UPS gives a safe shutdown, and an approved inverter/charger on a 12-volt deep-cycle battery can run the P43 for up to eight hours. A vent with three to five feet of vertical rise also helps natural draft.

The P43 uses 3-inch pellet vent, and with the preferred setup, a vertical section rising three to five feet behind the stove, it can sit just 2 inches from the wall. The manual notes that 4 inches gives you easier access to remove the rear panel.

Allow 10 inches to a side wall with the optional side heat shields or 16 inches without, and 9 inches in a corner either way. The P43 needs a non-combustible floor protector at least 25-7/16 inches wide by 26-3/4 inches deep, with no R-value required, and 20-gauge sheet metal is the minimum material.

Yes, as long as it isn't in a sleeping room. A mobile home install must bolt the P43 to the floor, connect it to the approved outside air kit, use listed PL vent pipe, and ground it to the home's frame with at least 8 AWG copper wire.

The P43 has a cast iron door with mirrored glass, and you can add a Leaf Design or Modern trim kit in brushed stainless, 12 x 6 inch slate or stainless tiles, an air grille trim, black or black-and-stainless side heat shields, a ceramic log set, and a Harman Protect cast iron hearth pad. Tiles need a trim kit to install.