I've heated with pine and fir for 28 years, and have owned 8 different stoves in that time. The last and best is a Blaze King catalytic. I've used it for the last 8 winters here in N. Idaho using 3.5 cubic cords a season for the sole source of heat in 1500 square feet. I clean the chimney once in the fall. Wood stoves were a hot item in the 70's (that was a bad pun, stick around it gets worse) then they kind of fell out of favor when fuel prices stabilized and even dropped some. new 1990 EPA emission standards put some makers out of business and it is very expensive to have a stove tested to the emissions requirements. Catalytic stoves easily make the standards, but they are not idiot proof. Improper use destroys the combustor, and cost about 180 bucks to replace. To keep cost down and allow for the "dipstick" factor, non-catalytic, low emission stoves were developed. These work essentially by building a rather small fire in a small insulated box that concentrates the heat in the burn area. The smoke that escapes the burn area is routed around a hot channel and fed air to encourage it to burn. It works! At least it sounds good, until you own one.
Small firebox, small fire-reload 6 times aday, drink lots of water before bed so you have to get up anyway. Did I mention you have to reload during the night too??? If you damper the fire down to stretch the burn time, it will creosote just like any other (non-cat) woodstove.
To get the efficient burn, the heat is concentrated in the firebox area, rather than radiating out in the room. Most of these stoves look like a nuclear reaction took place in the firebox after 2 years. The firebrick and metal are toast. If you need alot of heat, don't buy one of these turkeys. They are made to meet emissions standards, heating your house is NOT what they are designed to do, not pleasantly at any rate. At least they have glass doors so you can see the fire.
A "cat" stove like the Blaze King ( can burn over 24 hours on a full load) thrives on pine and fir although hardwood is better. The cat reacts to the creosote and puts out alot of heat from the reaction. 2 cords of wood can deliver the same heat as 3 cords burned in a conventional stove, by burning the creosote that normally goes up (and in) your chimney.
In case any of you sharp eyed woodburners has noticed that I have not mentioned the Vermont line of cat stoves, there is a reason. I once owned a Consolidated Dutchwest and it is not in the same league with a Blaze King. Not even close.
Having said all that, if a cat stove is not practical, creosote is something that has to be dealt with. First, burn a small, hot fire (sound familiar?) Do not damper the fire down! Burn only DRY wood. This will cut down the creosote, but is a lousy fire if you want long, uniform heat.
