I have the previous model (II) for about 4 years now. What a difference from the old stoves of years past. This is a great stove, i find that the room temperature is much more controllable and its much easier to refire the stove when it burns down to even a few coals. I have reduced my wood consumption by a third every year. These stoves just burn more efficiently and hold the heat longer versus the old era stoves. With this stove you can arrange the wood either N-South for a hotter fire on very cold days or E-West for a longer slower fire on those warmer days.